KSU Payroll Grad Receives National Education Award

KENNESAW, Ga. (April 14, 2016) – Natalia Higgins received the Outstanding Continuing Education Student Award at the 101st annual conference of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) in San Diego, California. Higgins, a graduate of the Payroll Certificate program at KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education, received the honor for her notable achievement and excellence in the pursuit of her educational goals.

“My career is successful because of my education,” Natalia Higgins told a crowd of more than 600 attendees at the UPCEA awards luncheon.

In 2014, shortly after earning her Executive MBA, Higgins enrolled in PayTrain® Fundamentals, the first course in the Payroll Certificate program offered at the college. Higgins went on to take and pass the Fundamental Payroll Certification exam, a national credential administered by the American Payroll Association. As a result of her success, she was offered a promotion. Higgins currently serves as the director of Client Account Management at ADP, one of the world’s largest payroll companies.

“I commend her for her fortitude to take on a new challenging role with her company while also devoting many hours a week to attend and study the material for the class,” said her instructor, Lucinda Ramondetta, CPP, in a letter of recommendation for the award. “Natalia did an excellent job in the course and passed with confidence.”
Higgins was first recognized for this award at the regional level in 2015 by UPCEA South before being selected as the national winner this year.

“The experience has been amazing,” she said. “The most important thing to me is being able to be an example. My goal is to continue to inspire other students.”

She is currently enrolled in the Human Resources Management SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP Certificate program at the college. Her next step after graduating will be to tackle the certification exam offered by the Society for Human Resource Management.

Higgins said education is essential to career growth and success. “First, have your priorities straight,” she said. “Second, make time for yourself and your education. It will make you better — as an individual and a professional.”
The College of Continuing and Professional Education is a member organization of UPCEA. For more information about certificate training programs in payroll, human resources and other management fields, visit ccpe.kennesaw.edu or call 470-578-6765.