Welcome to the New Human Resources Director

It has been a period of adjustment for Arlene Brown since she began her position as Human Resources Director for Snead State Community College.

Ms. Brown began Nov. 1 in the position left vacant by the retirement of HR Specialist Barbara Kilpatrick. The Auburn University at Montgomery graduate earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in August 2007. Two months later she was hired by Jefferson State Community College as a personnel specialist. She moved from Jeff State to Snead State as advancement to her career in Human Resources.

“I am thankful I had a great boss while I was at Jeff State. She was great to keep me informed on different aspects of HR, and that helped to prepare me to step into the job at Snead State,” she said.

She also recently earned her Master of Business Administration from AUM to add to her qualifications for the Director position. Her challenge has been learning the administrative software used by Snead – Alliant, but she has experience using the software that Snead will be implementing in the near future – Banner.

“Because I worked in the two-year college system, I am already familiar with the policies and procedures. I am also familiar with the Students First Act, but I still have some aspects of the Human Resources position that I need to learn,” she said.

Ms. Brown said she applied at Snead because not only did it give her the opportunity to move her human resources career to the next level, but also give her a job in a comfortable setting. Snead allowed her to stay in the two-year community college system. She worked in a four-year institution for a couple of years and immediately noticed a different atmosphere than the community college environment.

“Community colleges have a different atmosphere. The staff feels like family,” said Ms. Brown.

With the adjustment of learning her new role, Ms. Brown is anxious to meet and get to know her co-workers. She has already encouraged them to stop by, introduce themselves, and offer questions or suggestions they may have about the Human Resources office.