NEW SHARON – The National Honor Society announced that Lane Harmon, a high school senior at North Mahaska and member of NHS, has been selected as an NHS Scholarship semifinalist. 

Since 1946, more than $21 million in scholarships have been awarded to outstanding NHS senior members to support college access and student success. The scholarship program is supported by the parent organization of NHS, the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

“I am so proud of Lane for receiving this scholarship.” said National Honor Society co-sponsor, Rachel Martin. “Lane is a hard-working student and is always willing to step in when we need him. Lane is a leader and exemplifies the pillars that NHS represents.”

At North Mahaska, Harmon is currently serving as the student body president and has been a student mentor. He has also been a part of the cross-country and basketball teams. He has participated in Teenserve missions and helped with the PROS Youth Group. This fall, he will attend the University of Northern Iowa to study marketing with a possible minor in communications or journalism.

In the 100+ years since NHS was founded in 1921, members have been making a difference in their schools and communities, and the NHS Scholarship is NASSP’s way of recognizing the most exceptional of these student leaders. Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated work to support the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

For more information about the NHS, visit  www.nhs.us.

PELLA — Jill Anderson will join Central College as the new chief talent, equity and engagement officer, beginning March 6.

Anderson will head up the newly created Office of Talent, Equity and Engagement. This new role combines three key areas at Central: talent acquisition, equity and compliance and employee engagement.

Anderson will direct the core functions of hiring, onboarding, benefits and overall employee well-being. These have been merged with the role of attracting and sustaining a diverse pool of talent. The equity component addresses Central’s strong desire to have an inclusive work environment. The new role will also ensure college-wide compliance, support employee and student training and development, as well as coordinate campus-wide Title IX responsibilities.

“Jill brings more than 20 years of experience in the field, and she will be a wonderful addition to our campus,” says Karen Tumlinson, vice president for finance and administration and treasurer at Central, who oversees the Office of Talent, Equity and Engagement. “She embraces our welcome statement. Her experience, though not in higher education, is very applicable and valued because we are competing in the larger market for employees. She is very resourceful and has a background in continuous improvement.”

Anderson will serve as an advisor to the senior leadership team, SLT, in identifying areas for improvement in policy matters, procedural clarity and equitable practice. She will be available to employees and students, serving as a resource guide in navigating equity-related processes including Title IX, as well as other forms of discrimination and harassment. Anderson will also work with managers to create career pathways for employees.

Prior to Central, Anderson worked 15 years at Vermeer Corporation, rising from a recruiting specialist to human resources business partner, to a continuous improvement manager and, most recently, human resources manager.  She also held positions at Pella Corporation and Pella Regional Health Center.

Anderson achieved certified professional recognition with the Society of Human Resources Management and earned the Human Resources Certification Institutes’ Professional in Human Resources certification. She grew up in Pella and currently lives with her husband, Keith, and two children, Karlie and Jessa. She is a volunteer with the Grace Therapeutic Riding program and previously served on the Pella Historical Society and Museums board.

Central continues to devote time and energy to its Building a Culture of Inclusion initiative. It brings an array of programs and activities to campus designed to demonstrate the college’s commitment to the values of inclusion. The college implements programs that embrace diversity in all its forms, ensure equitable treatment for everyone and nurture a sense of collective belonging. The creation of the Office of Talent, Equity and Engagement will support campus-wide initiatives.