SCC Strategic Management Seminar Tackles HR’s Evolution from ‘Admin’ to ‘Strategic Partner’
The role of Human Resources is undergoing a massive transformation, moving from the back office to the boardroom. This was the central message at the 4th session of the Strategic Management Speaker Series, held on November 7, 2025 at the Educational Media Resource Center (EMRC) of Southern Christian College.
Focused on the theme “Strategic Human Resource Management: Building a Strong Workforce Through Talent Acquisition and Retention,” the session brought together students and faculty to examine how modern organizations align people practices with their overarching business goals.
The event featured Ms. Jicilli Airo Jinn L. Gardose, RPm, Administrative Officer V of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 12.
Ms. Gardose delivered a compelling presentation on the critical evolution of the industry. She emphasized that HR is no longer limited to administrative functions like payroll and filing; today, it serves as a “strategic partner” vital to organizational growth. She outlined how this new role involves high-level responsibilities, including workforce planning, performance management, and succession planning.
Ms. Gardose dispelled the myth that recruitment begins with a job posting. Instead, she described talent acquisition as a systematic and structured process. Before a single candidate is interviewed, the strategic HR manager must draft the blueprint—using workforce analysis and competency mapping to define exactly what skills the organization needs to build its future, ensuring every new hire is a structural fit.
She also introduced the future HR practitioners to modern hiring infrastructures, detailing how tools such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and structured assessment tools are used to filter and select high-quality candidates in a competitive market.
The session was facilitated by the fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) major in Human Resource Development Management (HRDM) students.
Under the guidance of Ms. Analyn Lea T. Ugalingan, MMBA, the Strategic Management class continues to provide students with direct access to industry experts, ensuring that SCC graduates enter the workforce equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical, real-world insights.
