BUFFALO, NY — The Alan Stalcup Scholarship continues its mission of investing in students who are driven to lead, serve others, and create meaningful opportunities within their communities. The program’s newest recipient, Abigail Murray, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and Labor Relations at the University at Buffalo, where she is preparing for a career focused on building fair, supportive, and inclusive workplaces.
For Abigail, Human Resources is about more than policies and processes. It is about understanding people and recognizing how the decisions organizations make can affect an employee’s ability to succeed.
Personal experiences throughout Abigail’s life have helped shape her understanding of the importance of making people feel seen, supported, and included. Those lessons ultimately influenced both what she chose to study and what she hopes to accomplish through her education.
Through coursework in management, communication, labor relations, organizational behavior, and workplace culture, Abigail is learning how hiring practices, employee policies, training, and leadership decisions influence people’s everyday experiences at work.
Her goal is to begin a career in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or Workforce Development after graduation and eventually become an HR leader who helps create workplaces where employees feel valued, respected, and given meaningful opportunities to succeed.
Abigail has already begun putting those principles into practice.
During a summer internship with Nassau County Human Resources, she gained hands-on experience with onboarding, personnel records, timesheets, new-hire documentation, and civil service procedures.
The experience helped Abigail see the human impact behind everyday HR responsibilities. What may appear to be an administrative process can represent someone waiting to begin a new job, receive accurate pay, complete important paperwork, or have a workplace concern addressed.
Her internship reinforced her decision to pursue Human Resources as a career that combines business and organization with communication, fairness, and service.
Abigail’s commitment to serving others also extends beyond the workplace.
In 2023, she co-founded Compassion Champions, a youth-led nonprofit supporting children and families experiencing housing insecurity. Through partnerships with six shelters across New York, the organization has provided families with school supplies, hygiene products, clothing, meals, and other necessities.
Through that work, Abigail has learned that responsible leadership begins with listening. Rather than assuming what families need, Compassion Champions communicates with shelter staff to understand where its resources can make the greatest difference.
Recent efforts have included hosting a mini baby shower for 13 expectant and new mothers and providing backpacks and school supplies to more than 200 students.
“Compassion Champions taught me to listen before acting,” Abigail shared. “My internship showed me how workplace systems affect real people. My education is helping me bring those lessons together and prepare for a career in which I can create better opportunities for others.”
With support from the Alan Stalcup Scholarship, Abigail can continue working toward her degree while expanding her experience through internships, campus leadership, and community service. Each opportunity will help her develop the knowledge and judgment necessary to become the kind of HR leader she hopes to be.
The Alan Stalcup Scholarship was created to remove barriers for hardworking students and open doors to opportunity through education. Its recipients represent students across a wide range of disciplines who share a commitment to using their education to build meaningful futures and positively impact others.
Supporting students like Abigail reflects a broader commitment to investing in people first. Her academic goals, professional experience, and community involvement demonstrate how education can equip future leaders to create opportunities not only for themselves, but for the people and communities they will eventually serve.
As Abigail continues her studies at the University at Buffalo, she is bringing together lessons from the classroom, professional experience, and community service to prepare for a career centered on people. Her journey demonstrates that strong leadership begins with listening, understanding, and recognizing the people affected by the decisions we make.
Applications for the Alan Stalcup Scholarship remain open to students pursuing higher education.
Learn more or apply:
Apply for the Alan Stalcup Scholarship
About the Alan Stalcup Scholarship
The Alan Stalcup Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who demonstrate strong character, academic commitment, and a desire to positively impact their communities. The program focuses on expanding access to education and creating opportunities for future leaders across the country.
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