Student Case Competition 2026 – A Recap

The 2026 SHRM Florida Student Case Competition took place virtually on April 11, 2026, once again bringing together outstanding undergraduate and graduate HR students from colleges and universities across the state. Over the course of the event, students showcased not only their academic preparation, but also the strategic thinking, professionalism, and poise required of future HR leaders. 

This year’s competition highlighted the depth of talent emerging from Florida’s student chapters. Teams were challenged to analyze a complex business scenario, develop thoughtful recommendations, and present their solutions to a panel of volunteer HR professionals who served as judges. Throughout the competition, students demonstrated strong critical thinking, collaboration, and the ability to apply classroom learning to real-world workplace challenges. 

Student Case Competition 

The Student Case Competition offers students a realistic preview of what a career in human resources can look like. It is designed to help future HR professionals strengthen the practical skills that matter most in the workplace, strategic analysis, ethical decision-making, communication, and executive-level presentation. 

Participating teams receive a business case study 21 days prior to the competition. During that time, they work together to analyze the situation, identify key issues, and develop a strategic solution. Each team submits a written executive summary and prepares a PowerPoint presentation to deliver virtually during the event. Presentations are followed by a live question-and-answer session, where judges challenge students to think critically and defend their recommendations in real time. 

+Conference 

The Student Case Competition was combined with a conference component, free of charge available to any students who wanted to attend. 

• Shellie Halstead – AI’s Letter to Future HR Leaders: Strategy, Stewardship, and Staying Human 
• Laketta Harmon – Personal Branding & Professional Development
• Kathy Gruver – Communication, Adaptation, and Stress 
• Faith Stipanovich- SHRM resources, the value of SHRM student membership, SHRM certification, and Q&A 
• Ski Hudson- Laughter Yoga Workshop 

Looking Ahead 

The SHRM Florida Student Case Competition continues to be more than a competition, it is a launchpad for future HR professionals. It gives students the opportunity to test their knowledge, sharpen their presentation skills, and gain exposure to the real challenges facing organizations today. 

Each year, the event reinforces the importance of investing in the next generation of HR leaders. The 2026 competition was a strong reminder that the future of the profession is bright, and we are already looking forward to what next year’s teams will bring!