Kristi Thayer Yowell ’00, M.S. ’05 recognized with CUPA-HR Distinguished Service Award
Kristi Thayer Yowell ’00, M.S. ’05, coordinator of McDaniel College’s graduate program in Human Resources Management, was recently recognized with the Distinguished Service Award from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, in recognition of her distinguished leadership and service with the organization.
Kristi Thayer Yowell ’00, M.S. ’05 graduated from McDaniel with degrees in Sociology and Human Resources Development (now Human Resources Management). A human resources professional with extensive experience in the higher education setting, Yowell has coordinated, taught in, and developed McDaniel's Human Resources Management program for over 15 years.
Kristi Thayer Yowell ’00, M.S. ’05, coordinator of McDaniel College’s graduate program in Human Resources Management (HRM), was recently recognized with the Distinguished Service Award from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR), in recognition of her distinguished leadership and service with the organization.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be recognized for my HR contributions and career in higher education,” she says. “In a field where human connection is imperative, I’m grateful that I’ve been afforded the opportunity to make a positive impact and help shape workplaces where employees are able to thrive.”
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a master’s degree in Human Resources Development (HRD) — now Human Resources Management — from McDaniel College. McDaniel’s HRD program transitioned to an HRM curriculum under Yowell’s leadership, shifting the focus to a broader, more strategic approach to managing all aspects of human resources. She has worked with the HRM program for over 15 years, coordinating, teaching, and reviewing the curriculum.
Her career in human resources has included various institutions of higher education, including her current position as chief people and culture officer and associate vice president for human resources at Loyola University Maryland.
We spoke with her about her professional accomplishments, the McDaniel HRM program, and how her two degrees from the Hill prepared her for her career in human resources.
You’ve been involved with CUPA-HR in various roles, including as the Eastern Region representative on the national board, chair of the Eastern Region board of directors, and founding president of the Maryland chapter. What are the benefits of getting involved in professional organizations like CUPA-HR?
Becoming involved with CUPA-HR is without a doubt the best career decision I’ve ever made. It has offered me opportunities for connection, growth, and impact. Having not just access, but true connections and partnerships with this amazing network of accomplished HR professionals who understand the unique challenges of higher education HR, with an organization that creates space for us to collaborate, share, and learn from one another, and resources to help us stay ahead of emerging trends is truly invaluable. Personally, this group is a constant source of support and inspiration — it’s where I go to give back and where I go to recharge. The focus on development, advocacy, and sense of community that CUPA-HR fosters make it a vital resource for anyone committed to advancing the work of people and culture in higher education.
You were also selected to serve as a navigator in the new CUPA-HR Navigators program in 2025-26 — what will that involve?
I am beyond thrilled to have been invited to be a navigator in this inaugural CUPA-HR program. This yearlong program focuses on providing personalized, meaningful support to chief human resource officers (CHROs) by leveraging connections and collaboration among higher ed HR leaders. Groups of CHROs will be paired with experienced higher ed HR leaders, or “navigators,” to help them navigate their roles as CHROs. We’ll provide insights, resources, and support, helping CHROs make connections across the industry based on their unique needs and goals. The program also provides opportunities for small cohorts of CHROs to discuss challenges, share ideas, and access collective knowledge.
You’ve had an extensive career in human resources at various institutions and organizations. What do you love most about your work?
I love that I’ve been able to grow my career in Maryland and build an incredible network that not only I benefit from, but my current and former colleagues also benefit from. I love being able to make introductions across institutions — private, public, and community colleges — to collectively partner to make the most efficient use of our resources and work together to solve current challenges.
Being able to develop collaborative programs — like the Building Bridges Across Maryland program — that have sustained, evolved, and grown have provided me with immense pride. I feel like this program is a testament to my personal mission. It relies on real relationships, bringing higher education professionals together across institutions, with different backgrounds and experiences, to foster connection, collaboration, and shared learning.
While my academic lens is incredibly helpful in operational and administrative contexts, the reverse is also true. My professional and practitioner experience helps me understand what employers are looking for and what students need to be able to hit the ground running and make an impact.
What first brought you back to McDaniel College to coordinate the Human Resources Management graduate program? What have you enjoyed most about working with the program over the years?
I had such an amazing experience in this graduate program as a student — connections with other graduate students, meaningful discussions in class, and insights from the faculty who were knowledgeable practitioners in the field. When the opportunity arose to coordinate the program, I did not hesitate to accept the challenge. I find it personally rewarding to help shape the future of the profession by equipping these emerging leaders with the knowledge, skill, and connections — to classmates and faculty — they need to make a meaningful impact. It’s incredibly fulfilling to watch students in our program grow during the program and throughout their careers, and to have a part in their journey.
I also appreciate that I bring both academic and administrative experience. I’ve found this provides me with a unique perspective because I understand the academic priorities while also navigating the operational and administrative demands. This dual insight has allowed me to make informed decisions and form stronger cross-institutional relationships.
Has your professional experience influenced your approach to coordinating and teaching in McDaniel’s graduate program?
While my academic lens is incredibly helpful in operational and administrative contexts, the reverse is also true. My professional and practitioner experience helps me understand what employers are looking for and what students need to be able to hit the ground running and make an impact. This thinking resulted in our recent revamp of our curriculum to ensure students are able to maximize their learning, tailor completion schedules to meet their individual needs (from as little as one year to several years), and flexibility in capstone opportunities. For many students, the capstone provides an opportunity to develop a meaningful project that demonstrates their ability to drive impact and provides them with something tangible they can promote on their LinkedIn page, share in an interview, or utilize in their current or future workplace.
I think our program is the best around. With just 10 classes and 30 credits, it’s a streamlined program that ensures students are equipped to make an immediate impact in the workplace. Students graduate with well-rounded experience and knowledge in all facets of HR.
For anyone interested in pursuing their degree in HRM here at McDaniel, what are some highlights of the program?
I think our program is the best around. With just 10 classes and 30 credits, it’s a streamlined program that ensures students are equipped to make an immediate impact in the workplace. Students graduate with well-rounded experience and knowledge in all facets of HR. In addition, our unique design allows students an opportunity to complete the program in as little as 12 months. Or, if they take just one class at a time, students can still graduate in just two years.
You majored in Sociology here on the Hill. What drew you to human resources management, leading you to earn a master’s degree in the field?
My undergraduate advisor, Dr. Sherri Lind Hughes, encouraged me to try an internship in human resources. Before then, I wasn’t even aware that HR was a career, much less one I was considering. Needless to say, I loved my internship opportunity and graduated from McDaniel (then Western Maryland College) with a minor in human relations and a concentration in supervision and management of human resources.
Dr. Sherri Lind Hughes was also the coordinator of the graduate Human Resources Development program at McDaniel (which has since transitioned to the current HRM program). We had discussed it prior to my graduation but I chose to gain some relevant work experience before pursuing it. During my first professional HR work experience, I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful consultant, Suzy Dyer-Gear, owner of Powell Dyer-Gear Consulting and retired vice president of human resources at Carroll Lutheran Village, who coincidentally had assumed the role of program coordinator and continues to serve as an adjunct with the HRM program. After talking with her, I decided it was time to return to the Hill. I’m so glad I did.
In many ways, I feel like I’ve grown up on the Hill. I started my undergraduate coursework at McDaniel while I was still in high school, at age 16, as an early dual-enrollment student, obtained my undergraduate and graduate degrees here, had the opportunity to teach in the program, and now have the privilege of leading the program that has given me so much.
How did McDaniel prepare you for your career?
Dr. Sherri Lind Hughes is without a doubt the reason I’m in this field. Suzy Dyer-Gear is the reason I teach. Suzy was an early mentor for me in that first professional role post-graduation and in my continued development in the classroom during graduate school. I can’t tell you how much I value that it’s a relationship I’ve maintained until today. Being able to have that type of relationship with someone you’ve known for over 25 years is incredible.
How have you stayed connected with McDaniel as an alum?
Most recently, I helped plan my 25-year Reunion! I enjoy participating in the McDaniel Women’s Leadership Network, especially connecting with other alums and current students about to transition to the workforce. I also regularly volunteer to assist with other events such as student resume reviews and mock interviews.
