Student Employee/Supervisor of the Year

Kevin’s willingness to partake in campus tabling events showcased his dedication to recruitment for both participants and potential new employees.

Kevin was actively engaged in a sled hockey event in 2023 where he introduced activities aimed at encouraging participation among individuals with different abilities.

Kevin demonstrates leadership by revamping training methods for peer employees, fostering engagement and confidence with other employees. His leadership has resulted in an increase in confidence for staff, other student employees, and ultimately enhancing participant experiences. As a peer supervisor, Kevin builds personal connections and provides guidance, earning trust, and is greatly respected.

Kevin uses his critical thinking skills to implement data driven changes to enhance the student experience and address identified issues found. He manages staff scheduling and addresses issues as they come up.

When asked what Kevin is like as a leader, Karter says that Kevin is a prime example of a great leader. He is always open to accommodating people’s schedules and understanding people’s individual situations. He is also not afraid to do the work himself and will show you how things are meant to be done, making him seem like one of us rather than just a boss who we need to listen to. Kevin is very personable and creates positive relationships with the people around him. Kevin is easy to talk to and joke around with, making the job much more fun and inviting.

Join us in Celebrating Laura Farder as UND’s 2023 Student Employee of the Year! Laura was nominated by her colleagues within the Health and Wellness Department. She was also awarded the $500 Student Employee of the Year Scholarship courtesy of the Office of Student Finance. Laura has made an immediate impact on the team and members within the Health and Wellness Department at the University of North Dakota. She is willing to help wherever possible, fills in for shifts for her teammates to ensure that the facility stays available to the members. Laura is a genuinely compassionate person and has demonstrated this with her roles in Wellness.  She seeks out chances to connect with members, such as providing tours, helping find equipment for them, filling in shifts in a pinch & carrying on conversations with all she encounters to make sure everyone around here feels welcome & that they matter. Laura is a positive student employee and is willing to provide feedback and suggestions to improve the operation all while keeping their members’ experience in mind. Laura has provided ideas on how to engage with members more readily and how to keep conduct within the weight room a more positive experience. • Laura is the person who always has a smile on her face, will ask you about how you are doing and genuinely wants to make sure that her teammates and all of our members have a good experience. She works hard to make everyone feel welcome and feel like they belong to the entire University of North Dakota Community.

The Office of Student Finance is pleased to recognize Mason Dunleavy, editor-in-chief of the Dakota Student, as the 2021  Student Employee of the Year. This recognition highlights the outstanding students employed part-time at UND. Mason was selected as this year’s honoree out of a total of 18 nominations by the Student Employee of the Year Committee.

Mason was recognized at the University level and was also chosen as the North Dakota Student Employee of the year by the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators (MASEA).

Nominations are judged on the eight National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Core Competencies:

• Critical Thinking & Problem solving
• Oral & Written Communications
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Digital Technology
• Leadership
• Professionalism & Work Ethic
• Career Management
• Global & Intercultural Fluency

Mason’s nomination detailed how he displayed each of the competencies listed above. In the past year, Mason has striven to find new ways to digitize the Dakota Student, including creating the DS E-Newsletter as a part of the push to go paperless during the pandemic. Vince Azzarello, the Dakota Student Coordinator and Mason’s nominator, shared many examples of how Mason has striven to use department resources to increase website traffic, social media engagements, and staff involvement.

“In a year unlike any of us have seen before, Mason has strived for greatness and hurdled over so many obstacles that stood in his way. Mason has succeeded in making the Dakota Student relevant in a time when it would have been easy to give up. He has improved nearly every aspect of the paper, and I believe his imprint on the DS will be felt for years to come.” said Azzarello.

Mason was presented the award at the 2021 Leadership Awards, held virtually this year. His name has been added to the Student Employee of the Year Plaque and he will be awarded the $500 Student of the Year scholarship, courtesy of the Office of Student Finance. Mason, a senior, will graduate in May.

Each spring, in conjunction with the National Student Employment Association, UND coordinates a Student Employee of the Year program to recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of students who work while attending UND. Nominations are judged by a committee on the 8 National Association of Colleges and Employers Core Competencies:

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Oral & Written Communications
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Digital Technology
• Leadership
• Professionalism & Work Ethic
• Career Management
• Global & Intercultural Fluency

Those nominations that are ranked highest are eligible to be considered for a category award. Nominations can be selected for up to two category awards. The Office of Human Resources & Payroll Services is proud to recognize the below 2022 Student Employment Annual Award Category Winners.

For excellence in Oral & Written Communications, Christopher Taylor, Student Manager of Retail Dining, was recognized for the skills he demonstrated in his communication between Franchise Managers and over 60 students.

For demonstration of great Leadership Christopher Taylor, Student Manager of Retail Dining, was recognized for his decision-making skills, and the ability to make informed decisions, as well as the coordination and work Chris put in to assist in opening Dining spaces within the Union.

For displaying Professionalism & Work Ethic, Aubrey Hamilton, Marketing & Graphic Design Assistant of Dining Support Services, was recognized for her high professional standard, and always acting with honesty and integrity.

For balancing Career Management, Aubrey Hamilton, Marketing & Graphic Design Assistant of Dining Support Services, was recognized for continuously seeking opportunities for growth and development so she could be better prepared for the future. This resulted in her securing a post-graduation position seven months ahead of graduation.

For demonstrating great skill in Digital Technology, Chasity Easterwood, Student Locksmith of Facilities Management, was recognized for learning the complex systems, databases and keying processes, recognizing where improvements could be made, and bringing the Lockshop’s processes into the digital age.

For exhibiting Critical Thinking & Problem Solving skills, Gregor Cork, Rock Wall Program Manager of Wellness & Health Promotion, was recognized for developing program proposals to increase quality and safety by analyzing past program results and suggesting improvements.

For being an example of Teamwork & Collaboration, Gregor Cork, Rock Wall Program Manager of Wellness & Health Promotion, was recognized for how he made it a priority to get to know all staff in the building and greeting every single staff member prior to each shift, to ensure easy collaboration within the Wellness Center.

 For manifesting Global & Intercultural Fluency, Sebastien Reese, Esports Program Manager of Wellness & Health Promotion, was recognized for overcoming language barriers and using opportunities to learn and grow in cultural knowledge.

Each category winner was recognized and presented a certificate at the 2022 Leadership Awards, held in-person this year, on April 29^th, 2022.

Please join us in celebrating each of these student employees’ achievements. We are proud to have them as a part of our UND community.

Sanford Fogg has been named the 2018 University of North Dakota Student Employee of the Year.

Fogg, who is pursuing a degree in Aeronautics with a major in flight education, was nominated by Thomas Zeidlik, Director of UND Aviation Physiology. Thomas writes in the nomination: “We have a large military pressure vessel that we put 16 students and two faculty inside of with oxygen masks and helmets, and the air is literally vacuumed out to match the equivalent pressure of 25,000 feet of altitude. This is a vital and literally life-threatening environment in which extreme care and attention is required. Sanford “flies” the pressure chamber, smoothly pulling levers and opening valves that pull out pressure and yet supply the correct amount of oxygen directly to the occupants.”

Zeidlik also adds “Sanford is expected to do much more than the average student employee is expected to do. Sanford Fogg has earned my trust in dealing with the lives and health of hundreds of people every semester, both UND students and our corporate clients. Sanford Fogg is a perfect fit for this award and this honor.”

Sanford’s name has been added to the Student Employee of the Year plaque that is displayed in the Student Employment Office at Career Services and he has been awarded a $500 scholarship to UND courtesy of the Division of Student Affairs and Diversity. Sanford was also named Student Employee of the Year for the state of North Dakota and received a certificate and cash award from the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators.

The 9^th annual Student Employee of the Year was announced at the Leadership Awards on Friday, April 7. Megan Hilgers received the award for her position as the Facility Manager at the UND Wellness Center. As the winner of the 2017 UND Student Employee of the Year, Megan was awarded a $500 scholarship.

Megan is a second year Occupational Therapy student at UND and has worked at the Wellness Center for almost four years. She has risen from her position as a desk assistant to facility manager, and has excelled greatly in each and every role she takes on.

As facility manager, Megan oversees the welcome desk area to include student access, sales, and equipment checkout. She also supervises other student staff and is the chief policy enforcer in the building. She initiates facility safety and requires in-depth knowledge of all emergency response protocols.

“It is almost not worth mentioning that Megan is ever punctual, cheerful, and effective in her work; these are traits all nominees possess. What sets Megan apart from other student employees at the Wellness Center is twofold: her passion for her work and her continued growth in the position,” writes Megan’s supervisor, Paul Jensen.

Jensen talks highly of Megan’s attributes, expectations that she has raised, leadership style, and overall impact that she has made at the Wellness Center throughout the time she has worked there.

Megan was also named 2017 Student Employee of the Year for the state of North Dakota by the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators and was presented with a cash award.

Samantha Perrin, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in higher education, has been named the 8^th annual UND Student Employee of the Year. Samantha has worked in the Career Services office as a peer advisor since the fall of 2014, helping students with career development and serving as a mentor and coach to new graduate assistants. She was nominated by Ilene Odegard, her supervisor and Director of Career Services.

Odegard’s nomination says, “Samantha plays a vital role within the Career Services office and takes on every task with a positive and willing attitude. She has played an integral part in the office, including creating an assessment plan, many rubrics, and conducting student surveys.  Each time Samantha is given a task, she exceeds my expectations and goes beyond. I am particularly impressed with Samantha’s ability to multi-task while maintaining a high level of involvement on campus.”

Samantha’s leadership abilities shine outside her role in Career Services as well. She serves on the Student Affairs Student Employee Working Group, is a student representative for NASPA, served on the UND Presidential Search committee, and is also a first generation college graduate. Samantha will receive a $500 scholarship as the Student Employee of the Year and will be presented with her award at the Leadership Awards on April 29.

Karlene Clark has been named the inaugural UND Student Employee Supervisor of the Year. She supervises and trains student employees at the circulation desk of the Chester Fritz Library, and was nominated by her colleagues including Stan Johnson, Sally Dockter, and Stephanie Walker. Her colleagues write “Karlene is patient, understanding and takes time to teach, reinforcing values which serve throughout life. Her leadership is by example, instilling confidence and independence. She builds upon their skills and develops abilities, emphasizing the individual, and contribution to teamwork.”

Karlene also serves on the Student Employment Working Group and the Student Employment Standards Committee. She has created and shared five minute assessment forms and evaluation rubrics with other supervisors. Through Karlene’s mentoring, three of her recent student employees have made the decision to continue their education, completing graduate programs in library science and becoming professional librarians. She has a major impact on the lives of all of the students she supervises and many of her workers have stayed in touch over the years. Karlene will be presented with an award at the Leadership Awards on April 29.

Both Karlene and Samantha’s nominations have been submitted to the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators for consideration for state and regional awards. A total of 12 nominations were received for Student Employee of the Year, and three nominations for Student Employee Supervisor of the Year. Student Employment would like to extend a big thanks to the Student Employee/Supervisor of the Year Committee, Lacey Pietron, Desi Anderson, and Mary Anna Carls, for their hard work in determining the 2016 winners.

Brittany Slagle, a senior majoring in Communication Sciences & Disorders, has been named the University of North Dakota and North Dakota Student Employee of the Year.

Orchard, Wash., works as a morgue technician in support of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Deeded Body Program. She was nominated by Denelle Kees, manager of the Deeded Body Program and Mandy Meyer, director of the program.

Slagle’s name has been added to the UND Student Employee of the Year plaque that is displayed in the Student Employment Office at Career Services in McCannel Hall, and she has been awarded a $500 scholarship from the division of Student Affairs.

As the state award winner, she receives a certificate and a cash award from the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators. The University is in its seventh year as a participant in the Student Employee of the Year, a program sponsored by the National Student Employment Association.

In one of Slagle’s nomination forms, Meyer wrote, “No matter the task Brittany is assigned, she puts forth the highest quality of work.”

Kees, Slagle’s direct manager, added that she “is the best and brightest student I have ever had the pleasure to work with in my 12 years here.”

Kees continued, “the greatest degree of professionalism in the Deeded Body Program is respect for the donors who have graciously decided to be a part of our program. Brittany has the greatest degree of respect for these people. The care that she shows in preparing the donors for classroom study attests to the respect that she has for them. Brittany treats the donors like the extraordinary gift that they are. The way that she carries herself, her smile and her appropriate attire rounds out a very professional young woman.”

A total of 16 nominations were submitted by department supervisors.

Anna Kinney from the TTaDa Department was recognized as the 2023 UND Student Employee of the Year! Anna was recognized for the invaluable experiences she provides to the department student employees, and her commitment to mentorship. Join us in celebrating Anna on her Achievement. • Anna leads with expertise, knowledge, and skill but also by example. She “walks the walk” and brings a servant approach to leadership to her work. Students know they are cared for and that she is going above and beyond her responsibilities in ensuring that they have a supportive and welcoming experience in the Writing Center. • Anna’s strength is notable and her work with student tutors and users of the center is exemplary. Unquestionably she provides the student tutors with highly professional, quality training. A colleague noted, “Anna is a great fit to lead the Writing Center. She is never afraid to speak her mind, yet she is eloquent in how she gets her point across." • Students who work in the Writing Center receive mentorship in collaborative leadership.  Anna engages the tutors in conversations about how the center should be run, asks them to take ownership of both their individual work and their collective efforts, and nurtures their own sense of agency as people who can have a big positive impact on others. • Anna is student centered. She models for the tutors the ways in which to help writers see writing as a process—she embraces the growth mindset that all students can become better writers and she applies that belief in all students’ potential to the tutors in the center as well. She has the right mix of providing support and fostering their autonomy • Anna supports the tutors beyond their center work and has created a community of mutual peer support. She attends events in which students present their writing and champions their academic career as well as their professional career post-graduation.   She sees the students as whole people and strives to ensure their well-being. It is most accurate to describe Anna as the best possible example of true passion, diligence, and genuine belief in the work she does. Grounded in that conviction, her work is excellent. Her style is to be thorough, generous, supportive, and hard-working.  Tutor testimonial: "When I started working at the writing center, I was thrilled to be working with Anna as she teaches with such enthusiasm. Whenever I had a question or concern, she was always available to speak with me and help until I understood. Anna constantly strives not only to improve her own skills, but to help others in doing the same.  Student Employee Testimonial: “I would like to acknowledge the nomination of Anna Kinney for supervisor of the year and give my recommendation. Anna is the best employer I have had the opportunity to work with; her professionalism, attitude, kindness, and knowledge are exceptional, and I couldn’t ask for a better individual to lead a program. She strives to do any task she receives with efficiency, diligence, and excellence. Her personable nature and extroverted personality are key factors in making all of the writing consultants feel welcome and appreciated."

The Office of Student Finance is pleased to recognize Analee Williams as the 2021 UND Student Employee Supervisor of the Year. This award was established to recognize the impact student employee supervisors have on the development of our students and community.

Nominations are judged based on how a nominee mentors students and acts as an example of professionalism and leadership for UND’s student employee community. Mike Wozniak, coordinator of campus recreation, submitted Analee’s nomination. Her nomination was selected by the Student Employment Supervisor of the Year Committee from a total of eight nominations.

Analee has been a UND student employee supervisor for five years and works as the coordinator of guest services within the Department of Wellness & Health Promotion at the Wellness Center. She supervises over 40 student employees, more than any other student employee supervisor within the department.

Wozniak’s nomination was filled with examples of Analee’s skills in mentoring and leading the student employees within the Wellness Center. “Analee meets with her staff 1-on-1 throughout the semester to talk with them, not only regarding training, but also to check in and see how they are doing. She makes sure that everyone pulls their weight, and recognizes her staff when they go above and beyond. She also knows how to position her staff so that they can be most successful.”

Analee was surprised with the award during a department meeting organized by her supervisor, Chris Suriano. Please join us in celebrating and congratulating Analee on her achievement. Our community is grateful to have her display of commitment and mentorship to UND’s student workers. Her name has been added to the Student Employee Supervisor of the Year plaque on display in the Office of Student Finance.

Stephanie Hoffman, Assistant Director of Programs for Wellness & Health Promotions, has been named 2018 Student Employment Supervisor of the Year (SESOTY) at UND.

Student employees or colleagues may nominate student employment supervisors for SESOTY whom they feel warrant particular recognition for their performance on the job. Nominations are judged on the following characteristics: mentoring, professionalism and excellent leadership provided to the student employee.

Student Employment received three separate nominations for SESOTY from her colleagues.

In the winning nomination, Karina Knutson, Associate Director of Wellness Promotion, wrote “While supervising students can be challenging, Steph works tirelessly to ensure that her staff are knowledgeable in their area and are able to provide exceptional programs, events and customer service to UND and surrounding community.”

Knutson goes on to write “Many previous employees who have worked for Steph have gone on to be very successful in their professional careers- whether it’s starting their own personal training and fitness company, obtaining GRA or GTA roles at various universities, acceptance and successful completion to the UND Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy programs, or full-time employment at our own and other university wellness and recreation centers.” 

Stephanie’s name has been added to a plaque displayed in the Student Employment Office in Career Services.

Stephanie was also named 2018 Student Employment Supervisor of the Year for the state of North Dakota. As a state award winner, Stephanie received a certificate and cash award from the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators.

Being named student employee supervisor of the year came was a complete surprise to Saurabh Chimote.

“He was blindsided. He had no idea,” said Sara Lahr, software developer at the Energy and Environmental Research Center. “Everyone at EERC was called to the main hall to watch him receive the award. He was shocked.”

Chimote, who had no idea he was even nominated for the award, was even more surprised to find that he’d won the award in three categories: UND, the State of North Dakota, and the 14-state region.

The awards are given by the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators, and the regional award is the highest that is given.

The students and co-workers who nominated Chimote weren’t surprised at all.

Leading by example

“Saurabh is a fantastic supervisor who leads by example,” said Aaron Johnson, a computer science senior from Fargo who has worked for Chimote over the last year. “He’s always there if we have questions, and he’s a great leader. He’s as dedicated to work as he is to his family. He’s just all-around fantastic.”

“Saurabh is a great supervisor,” said Blake Masterson, a computer science sophomore from Grand Forks who has worked at the EERC since January. “I can come to him whenever I have a problem. He’s very approachable. He’s calm in addressing problems, and works through them with you. He offers suggestions and keeps helping until the problem is fixed.”

“This award is really an affirmation of something that we already know here at the EERC,” said Andy Palmiscino, principal software engineer. “Saurabh’s commitment to the students’ future is second to none.  He will work with each of the students to help understand their goals and to help them achieve those goals.  He works hard to help make the students as marketable as possible when they graduate.”

Passion for programming

Chimote joined UND in 2010 after working at the University of Cincinnati, where he had graduate assistants. He was attracted to the job description at EERC, and found it a wonderful opportunity: “I could work with different technologies, and work with brilliant minds and scientists. I also liked the appeal of a small city to raise my family. And a short commute was a plus.”

The Software Solutions Group, for which Chimote is a senior software development engineer, builds software applications for the EERC, UND and outside clients, such as the Montana Department of Health. The group began hiring students at Chimote’s urging. He felt there was more than enough work, and that students would benefit from the experience.

“I wanted to hire students for several reasons,”Chimote said. “We wanted to train students to enter the real world and jump into the workforce. They can build their resume, have the experience of taking part in a meeting, see how an office works, and have them work at all stages of software development, from client meetings to testing. That makes them more marketable.”

Software solutions

The Software Solutions Group, which has four full-time staff, now employs two to five students throughout the year.

They work on a contract basis, and having part-time students fill in the gaps can be very helpful. “This helps us get the work done and is a way of giving back and giving students opportunities.”

The EERC’s Software Solutions Group offers web design and applications, customized desktop and geographic information system applications, and secure software development to internal and external clients.

The group is currently working on several internal UND projects as well as external projects such as pipeline study software, medical software in partnership with State of Montana, integrated management system software, and various projects for Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership and the Bakken Optimization Program.

“We build software,” said Chimote. And the students are fully integrated into the projects.

“This is a very immersive job – it puts you into the real-life work routine,” said Johnson. “That’s the great thing about it. You can’t get this experience in a lecture. This has been a great opportunity to get a foot in the door, make connections, and meet people in the field. It’s kick-starting my career.”

“The way Saurabh interacts with students is exceptional,” said Harry Duchscherer, server/database administrator for the group, who helped nominate Chimote for the award. “He’s instructional without talking down to the students. His personality is very personable and calm. Saurabh has broad knowledge in the computer science field – and depth, with a vast background in computer science and business, plus world knowledge. He sees problems from a different perspective, and that’s enlightening. He’s fun to work with and has a great sense of humor and quick intellect. We’re very lucky to have him.”

Samantha Perrin, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in higher education, has been named the 8^th annual UND Student Employee of the Year. Samantha has worked in the Career Services office as a peer advisor since the fall of 2014, helping students with career development and serving as a mentor and coach to new graduate assistants. She was nominated by Ilene Odegard, her supervisor and Director of Career Services.

Odegard’s nomination says, “Samantha plays a vital role within the Career Services office and takes on every task with a positive and willing attitude. She has played an integral part in the office, including creating an assessment plan, many rubrics, and conducting student surveys.  Each time Samantha is given a task, she exceeds my expectations and goes beyond. I am particularly impressed with Samantha’s ability to multi-task while maintaining a high level of involvement on campus.”

Samantha’s leadership abilities shine outside her role in Career Services as well. She serves on the Student Affairs Student Employee Working Group, is a student representative for NASPA, served on the UND Presidential Search committee, and is also a first generation college graduate. Samantha will receive a $500 scholarship as the Student Employee of the Year and will be presented with her award at the Leadership Awards on April 29.

Karlene Clark has been named the inaugural UND Student Employee Supervisor of the Year. She supervises and trains student employees at the circulation desk of the Chester Fritz Library, and was nominated by her colleagues including Stan Johnson, Sally Dockter, and Stephanie Walker. Her colleagues write “Karlene is patient, understanding and takes time to teach, reinforcing values which serve throughout life. Her leadership is by example, instilling confidence and independence. She builds upon their skills and develops abilities, emphasizing the individual, and contribution to teamwork.”

Karlene also serves on the Student Employment Working Group and the Student Employment Standards Committee. She has created and shared five minute assessment forms and evaluation rubrics with other supervisors. Through Karlene’s mentoring, three of her recent student employees have made the decision to continue their education, completing graduate programs in library science and becoming professional librarians. She has a major impact on the lives of all of the students she supervises and many of her workers have stayed in touch over the years. Karlene will be presented with an award at the Leadership Awards on April 29.

Both Karlene and Samantha’s nominations have been submitted to the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators for consideration for state and regional awards. A total of 12 nominations were received for Student Employee of the Year, and three nominations for Student Employee Supervisor of the Year. Student Employment would like to extend a big thanks to the Student Employee/Supervisor of the Year Committee, Lacey Pietron, Desi Anderson, and Mary Anna Carls, for their hard work in determining the 2016 winners.