Elizabeth Hennig has been teaching in some form or another for most of her life. Her first job? A harp instructor. Today, she shares her expertise in human resources, instructing several of the HR classes offered by USF’s Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education. Whether helping professionals enter the field or advance their careers, Hennig brings real-world experience to her classes, aligning theory with practice and helping working professionals enhance their knowledge without enrolling in a formal degree program.
FROM FINANCE TO HR
After earning her bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from USF, Hennig began her professional journey at Lowry Park Zoo (now Zoo Tampa). Her first job there was as an intern. That job turned into a full-time role, and she soon expanded into different areas of nonprofit administration. She later returned to USF to earn an MBA from the Executive MBA program and was promoted to CFO and senior vice president of finance and planning at ZooTampa soon after.
Her turning point in human resources came early and unexpectedly during her employment with ZooTampa.
“The CEO asked me to oversee human resources and act as his executive assistant,” Hennig said. “I was happy to accept the challenge – but I knew nothing about HR.”
So, she enrolled in USF’s HR Management Certificate program.
“The program gave me a strong foundation in HR principles and connected me with mentors who shaped my career,” she said.
She developed a strong connection with one of her instructors, Linda Bailey. In 2016, Bailey reconnected with Hennig to see if she was interested in teaching in the program.
She jumped at the opportunity.
Hennig started teaching Risk Management for HR Professionals in 2017. After some time teaching that course, she was asked to teach other classes in the CTPE HR Management Certificate program, such as Compensation Design, Business Acumen, and Database Decision Making.
“Every class comes with people who bring new learning and insights,” she said. “What’s neat about it is that everyone comes from different industries, so they’re not just learning from the class, they’re also learning from each other.”
TURNING EXPERTISE INTO IMPACT
Alongside her work with CTPE, Hennig took another bold step six years ago – launching her own consulting firm, Uptrend Custom Solutions. Her company focuses on helping small- to mid-sized businesses and nonprofits enhance their strategies, create effective business plans, and improve operations.
“What I’ve found is that small organizations often lack the resources to fully support their business functions,” said Hennig. “That leaves room for strategic improvement, and that’s where I step in.”
While she started the company independently, Uptrend Custom Solutions has grown into a close-knit team of professionals helping organizations tackle common business challenges.
TEACHING WITH REAL-WORLD INSIGHT
Hennig’s experience as a consultant has made her an even stronger instructor.
“Effective teachers include real-world experiences in their lessons, regardless of whether the course is in a degree program or a continuing education course,” she said. “It is key! When I teach, I provide concrete examples of how concepts play out in business. And because I now work with multiple organizations, my ability to offer real-life examples has expanded tremendously.”
Whether consulting or teaching, Hennig views both roles as forms of education – helping professionals and organizations understand complex topics and apply them effectively.
“My goal is to continue expanding my impact in consulting and teaching,” she said. “The more I can find parallels between those two, the better I can help students and clients alike.”
DIVING DEEPER INTO LEARNING
Reflecting on her professional journey, she credits much of her growth to the encouragement and mentorship she received.
“Many of my biggest career moves – earning my MBA, becoming an instructor, and starting my own company – came from friends and mentors believing in me before I fully saw it in myself,” she said.
Her advice? Listen to those who see the potential in you.
“Sometimes others see something in you that you don’t immediately see yourself.”
THE HR MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE
Want to gain real-world HR expertise from instructors like Hennig? USF’s HR Management Certificate program offers courses taught by Hennig and other industry professionals, helping students build essential skills and advance their careers.
The 10-course program starts with the HR Core Concepts class and participants then select nine electives, many of them selecting courses that address their skill gaps. The live online classes mean participants can get real-time interaction with instructors and fellow participants, creating an engaging and supportive learning environment.
Explore upcoming courses and take the next step in your HR journey.