TAMIU HR Director Earns SPHR Designation, is THEHRA President

Sandra Peña, Texas A&M International University director of Human Resources, has earned the prestigious Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation, the second TAMIU professional to secure the SPHR, along with previous recipient, Elizabeth N. Martínez, TAMIU associate vice president for administration.

SPHR certification is a mark of advanced knowledge and high professional distinction in the field of human resources.  It is managed by the Society for Human Resource Management’s HR Certification Institute and awarded based on performance on the SPHR Exam.

Peña said she was excited about the SPHR certification and its impact.

“I am fortunate to have secured this professional distinction and I believe it will be a valuable asset to TAMIU and help our HR operations to continue to perform at the highest level of professionalism and service,” Peña said.

In January 2014, Peña assumed the statewide Presidency of the Texas Higher Education Human Resources Association (THEHRA).

Previously (Professional Human Resources (PHR) certified in 2001, Peña joined TAMIU in 1990 and has served its HR operations ever since. She became HR director in 2004.

As the elected THEHRA 2014 President, Peña leads an organization committed to promoting the professional success of college and university human resource professionals in the State of Texas and their institutions through the sponsoring of bi-annual conferences.

She recently directed THEHRA’s 2014 Summer Conference, “Staying on the HR Compliance Track,” in Houston.  She is now preparing the 2015 Winter Conference, scheduled for January.

Her THEHRA Board includes TAMIU and HR professionals from the University of Houston, UT-Austin, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and Sul Ross State University.

Founded in 1975, THEHRA has a membership of more than 500 human resources professionals from 64 institutions of higher education across the state, including The Texas A&M University System, UT System, University of Houston System and Texas Tech University System.  THEHRA’s mission is to contribute to the professional advancement of human resources administration in state-supported senior colleges and universities in Texas.

For additional information, contact the TAMIU Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or visit tamiu.edu

To learn more about THEHRA, visit txhehra.org.  For more on SPHR Certification, visit shrm.org More TAMIU information is also available online at www.tamiu.edu and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu