Afternoon Ceremony Graduating Class Speaker: Mia Laufer
Bringing Out the Best
While it’s often said that you never get a second chance to make a first impression, Mia Laufer’s initial encounter with the profession of human resources(HR) proves that first impressions aren’t always lasting ones.
“In high school, I interviewed an HR manager. It’s funny because after that conversation, I didn’t want HR as my career. Somehow, I ended up back at HR, and I don’t really know how.”
Perhaps it was fate. Or, as she delved deeper into the “art and science” of human resources, maybe it was her appreciation of the profound impact her chosen major could have on the lives of other people.
These days, she’s dedicated herself wholeheartedly to not only the why, but the how of human resources—both in theory and practical application. She holds a cumulative GPA of 3.97 and has earned certifications as a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and a Compensation Analyst Credential (CAC).
Her first taste of “real-life HR” began with her position as the Cultures & Communities Programmer for Good Times Programming (GTP) within the Student Engagement Center in 2021. GTP, founded in 1972, is a student-led organization dedicated to creating engaging and entertaining experiences for the campus community. She fell in love with the challenge of helping all students enjoy their time on campus. She also recognized the need to include commuter students in campus activities. “Green Bay is a heavy commuter school, so it can be a real challenge to find your group. I focused hard on trying to get everyone involved – whether you lived on campus or not.”
Her reliability and professionalism led to a promotion to GTP general manager in spring 2022. She took on more responsibilities like interviewing applicants, providing team support and overseeing a staff of seven event programmers. “Mia was a dedicated and professional student staff member who always gave her best whenever she came to work,” noted Adam Novotny, assistant director of Student Engagement, encouraging her to apply for the managerial role.
Laufer expanded her own on-campus involvement, serving as a Resident Mentor for Housing and Residential Education during the 2023-2024 academic year. And while these “good times” might include roommate conflicts or bathroom disasters, her boundless optimism wasn’t diminished. “I really liked bonding with my residents and creating a positive environment for everyone to live. It was rewarding to help them with their issues and see them thrive.”
After three years of on-campus experience, she ventured into the corporate sector with an HR internship with Nature’s Way-Schwabe North America. Through this high-impact, hands-on internship, she collaborated with the HR team on projects focused on employee engagement and retention. “Now I know what it feels like to work at a great company and that’s really why I fell in love with HR. I want to look out for the well-being of employees.”
And while she’s comfortable with the still-evolving corporate realities of remote work and online meetings, coming into the office and meeting people face to face is what truly energizes her. “I thrive on the energy of being around people in the office.”
Despite her initial shaky encounter with HR, Laufer now appreciates the challenges and thrill of mastering interviews, for example. However, it’s her on-campus experiences and the joy of helping fellow students thrive that makes the realm of employee engagement most exciting to her. “I want to create a positive environment where employees feel like they can come to work and they love their job. Employee engagement is something I want to focus on more in HR. Being an HR business partner means being available for employees, which I love.”
