“It’s a very big honor,” Colfax said. “I think it was more of a recognition of our students and our student chapter and the entire HR community because they’re the ones making it possible for me to do what I do.”

Colfax helped students launch the SHRM Student Chapter at the University of Guam during the 1996–1997 academic year and has served as the main advisor ever since.

“Dr. Colfax, Dr. Joann Diego, and Chris Hanson were instrumental in initiating the SHRM Student Chapter,” said Annette T. Santos, dean of the School of Business & Public Administration. “Their efforts have proven successful with years of recognition for their fantastic accomplishments.”

The UOG SHRM Student Chapter has been a frequent recipient of recognitions from SHRM, receiving more than 20 Superior Merit Awards and three Outstanding Student Chapter awards. The chapter coordinates the annual Shmurf 2K/5K, a human resources competition, and mock job fairs and sends members every year to the SHRM Annual Conference.

The Advisor Impact awardee is selected based on length of service to the student chapter, contribution to the development of student leaders, development of innovative programs or projects, obstacles overcome, consistency of chapter quality, and involvement with local SHRM activities.

Colfax was also part of the development of UOG’s human resources minor in 1999 and, later, a human resources management concentration under the Bachelor of Business Administration degree program in 2007.

“Now, 20 years later, many of the companies on Guam have graduates from our programs, so that is an affirmation of our UOG HR program,” he said.

As winner of the award, Colfax received a $1,000 cash award and free registration and $1,000 in travel funding to attend the 2019 conference.

Colfax has been active with the SHRM Guam Chapter over the years as well, formerly serving as its president and a board member. The chapter won a Pinnacle Award during his presidency.

Colfax holds a bachelor’s in economics and comparative literature from Sophia University in Tokyo, master’s degrees in both human resource leadership and human development from Azusa Pacific University and Fielding Graduate University in California, respectively, and a doctorate in human and organizational systems from Fielding Graduate University. He also holds a number of professional designations and accreditations in human resources.