Dean Anthony Bailey addresses Bovard College graduates.
On May 16, 2025, graduates of the Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) program, along with their families, friends, and peers, gathered at USC’s University Park campus to celebrate commencement. The 157 MSHRM graduates, representing 21 states, are employed in various departments of prominent companies such as Amazon, Marvel Studios, The Boeing Company, Crowdstrike, Lockheed Martin, Google, Robinhood, and others.
Dean Anthony Bailey opened the ceremony by affirming this year’s graduates. “You are all ready to lead,” he told them. “You are ready to be a positive force of change in your respective industries.” He went on to celebrate the graduates honored with this year’s Order of the Laurel and the Palm and Order of Arête, the latter of which was awarded to two MSHRM graduates—Neptali Clavijo and Madison Salazar. Additionally, he praised the faculty members who were awarded for their outstanding contributions in student mentoring, faculty mentoring, teaching, and leadership and service. MSHRM professor Wanda Cumberlander was awarded for excellence in service and leadership.
This year’s commencement speaker was Michael Fenlon, PhD, the Executive Director of Advances in Learning at Harvard University. He recognized the challenging journey that graduates had undergone in earning their degrees, while also celebrating their tenacity. “Earning this degree added stress,” he said. “You had to juggle competing priorities: family, caregiving, demanding jobs, careers, financial sacrifice…Maybe at times you didn’t even feel like showing up for class…But you did show up.” In the end, Dr. Fenlon had three takeaways for graduates from his speech: set specific and challenging goals, approach these goals with a beginner’s mindset, and build connections rather than going at it alone.
MSHRM graduates hail from diverse professional backgrounds. Some are experienced HR professionals, while others are earning their master’s degree to transition from non-HR careers. The program, crafted by industry leaders, equips students with the comprehensive knowledge and skills required to excel as effective leaders. Key areas of focus include fundamental HR principles, a wide range of human capital management concepts, and specific HR processes such as talent management, total rewards, performance management, learning and development, employee relations, and HR analytics
The online MS in Human Resource Management program at USC Bovard College is designed to fit students’ schedules and is offered on both a one- and two-year track. At 24 units, the program can be completed in just 12 months for students in the one-year track. No GRE is required, and students have their choice of three enrollment dates each year.
Watch the 2025 ceremony here.