In alignment with the National Student Employment Association (NSEA), we manage an annual National Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) and Student Employment Supervisor of the Year (SESOTY) awards program. Our goal is to recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of students who work while pursuing higher education and those who are working directly with our student employees in supervisory roles. Find more details below, and be ready for nominations to go live at the end of the fall semester!
Student Employment "of the Year" Awards
Student Employee of the Year
All undergraduate student employees are eligible. Graduate assistants and teaching assistants are ineligible to be our campus selection. However, we will still honor them at the IUPUI campus level.
Nominees are not restricted to students employed through the Federal Work-Study Program.
Students will be evaluated on their contributions to criteria in the following categories:
- Community service
- Critical thinking
- Diversity and inclusion
- Innovation and technology
- Leadership
View this rubric to see the criteria for each of these categories.
We are not asking for a nomination letter this year; instead, you will be asked to describe how they fit each criteria in TWO chosen categories and how they fit ONE criteria in the remaining three categories.
2003 | O'Shea Utley—Computer Support Tech, University Information Technology Services Dawn Baker—Team Staff Member, Opportunities for Positive Growth, Inc. |
2004 | Yasmilaa Burgos—Circle City Bar & Grille Andrea Mettert—Indiana Humanities Council |
2005 | Joanna Fields—Department of Foreign Language |
2006 | Kimberly Keller—Marketing Assistant, IUPUI Jags Bookstore |
2007 | Joshua Springer—Communications Graduate Assistant, Center on Philanthropy |
2008 | Simone Akins—Research Technician, IU Department of Medicine, Endocrinology |
2009 | Adam Hooker—Department of Orthopaedic Surgery |
2010 | Gabby Mendoza |
2011 | Kawa Cheong—International Programming Assistant, Office of International Affairs |
2012 | Kassandra Hickman |
2013 | Christina Grimany—Office of Student Services |
2014 | Sara Suarez—Campus Center Information Desk |
2015 | Anthony Taylor—Course Administrator, IUPUI School of Science *also won Indiana's state Student Employee of the Year award |
2016 | Aayushi Kabra—International Support Ambassador, Office of International Affairs |
2017 | Roshni Patel—L Program |
2018 | Brianne Karazsia—Employer Relations Ambassador, Office of Student Employment |
2019 | Jonah Gjertson—Office of Student Employment |
2020 | Dylan Patterson—Energy Intern, Office of Sustainability Danilo Almeida—Resident Assistant, Division of Student Affairs, Housing and Residence Life |
2021 | Holly Lindsey*—Web Developer Intern, DUE Office of Communications *also won Indiana's state Student Employee of the Year award |
2022 | Lacey Smith—Media Production and Marketing Assistant, Office of Student Employment |
2023 | Henry Woodburn*—Sustainable Transportation Intern, Office of Sustainability *also won Midwest Student Employee of the Year in the catetory of Community Service |

Supervisor of the Year

The nominee must be a full-time or part-time staff/faculty employee of the nominating college or university.
Student employees or colleagues may nominate supervisors who work with student employees whom they feel warrant particular recognition for their performance on the job. The Student Employment Supervisor of the Year (SESOTY) Award Program begins at the institutional level and moves on to regional recognition.
Please describe the accomplishments of the nominee that you feel qualify them to be considered for Student Employment Supervisor of the Year recognition. Your letter of nomination must be limited to two pages. Nominations will be judged on the following characteristics: mentoring, professionalism, and leadership provided to the student employee. Please include:
- The nominee’s greatest attributes, as they relate to their supervision.
- How the nominee has gone above and beyond the standard work expectations as a supervisor.
- The quality of the nominee’s work and work style.
- The nominee’s leadership skills, initiative, and motivation.
- The impact the nominee has had on your student employees.
- The qualities of the nominee that set him/her apart from other student employment supervisors.
Please note that additional materials will not be considered. The information you provide may be shared with the public through press releases and other promotional opportunities.
2007 | Joe Huerkamp—Mechanical Engineering Department |
2011 | Sloane Thompson—Director of Career Development, School of Liberal Arts |
2012 | Brenda Grimes—Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics |
2013 | Lyne Racette—IU School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology |
2014 | Amy Wylie—Division of Student Life |
2015 | Erika Huber—Assistant Director of Academic Mentoring, Bepko Learning Center, University College |
2016 | Michael Finnell—Contact Center Supervisor, Office of Student Financial Services |
2017 | Dr. Imranul Alam—Assistant Research Professor, IU School of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology |
2018 | Terry O'Brien—School of Public and Environmental Affairs |
2019 | Sarah Eltzroth—Academic and Career Development, University College |
2020 | Gilbert Flores—International Recruitment and Outreach Manager, Office of International Affairs Brett Hietala—Residence Coordinator, Division of Student Affairs, Housing and Residence Life |
2021 | Lauren DeHaan—Assistant Director, Office of Student Employment *also won the MASEA regional Student Employee Supervisor of the Year award |
2022 | Cristina Padilla—Sustainability Engagement Coordinator, IUPUI Office of Sustainability |
2023 | Dr. Babak Anasori—Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Energy Engineering |
Not sure what to include in your submission?
Only Supervisor of the Year submission needs to be in the form of a letter. See an example below. If you need additional assistance, feel free to contact Katie Hillock at khillock@iu.edu.
Ready to submit your nomination?
The deadline to submit both a student or supervisor nomination is February 3, 2023.
Questions?
Contact our employer relations consultant, Katie Hillock, if you have additional questions or need assistance with your nomination.