BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Christopher Maugans, a JD/MBA student at the University at Buffalo, is one of only four people nationwide to receive the National Graduate Academic Award from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

The $5,000 award will help Maugans continue his studies in the four-year, dual-degree program in the UB School of Management and the UB Law School.

Maugans was chosen for the award based on his leadership with the School of Management's chapter of SHRM, his academic achievements, letters of recommendation and three essays.

As SHRM chapter president in 2009-10, Maugans helped to nearly triple student membership in the organization. He also has served on its community service committee and has presented resume workshops to the membership.

He served HR internships with VWR Education and Employers Services Corp. and helped write an Affirmative Action plan for SoPark Corp. In his role as a graduate assistant in the School of Management's Frank L. Ciminelli Family Career Resource Center, Maugans has served as interim head of recruitment and currently coordinates the practice interview program. He also serves as vice president of human resources for the Buffalo MBA Consulting Group.

"Chris Maugans is highly deserving of the SHRM National Graduate Award," says Josephine Zubek, chapter advisor and associate professor of organization and human resources in the School of Management. "His dedication and service to our chapter has been considerable and consistent, despite the multiple demands of pursuing a JD/MBA degree and his numerous extracurricular and professional activities. I expect that he will make a significant contribution as a professional in labor relations and human resources management."

SHRM is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China and India.

The UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and economic impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school has been ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek, the Financial Times, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and The Wall Street Journal for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit http://mgt.buffalo.edu.