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
Due to the unusual circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the SEOTY committee, with support from the poll held at NSEA conference, decided to honor multiple students. We will not have a National Student Employee of the Year for 2021. Instead, NSEA will take the top three submissions from each region and honor their accomplishments. No monetary awards will be issued for 2021.
In accordance with these changes, IUPUI will also honor our top submissions for recognition in these areas:
- Entry-level and administrative positions
- Intern, leadership, and research positions
Student employees must have worked a minimum of six months part time or three months full time during June 2020 to May 2021 (anticipated).
Nominees are not restricted to students employed through the Federal Work-Study Program.
Students will be evaluated 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
Please describe the accomplishments of the nominee that you feel qualify them to be considered for Student Employee of the Year recognition. Strong nominations will not just state what competencies the nominees excel at, but elaborate on how they demonstrate this through specific examples.
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 |
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 |

Supervisor of the Year

Only one supervisor will be awarded Supervisor of the Year with one or two nominations receiving honorable mentions. Each supervisor is awarded based on the same characteristics and categories.
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 |
Not sure what to include in your nomination?
To assist in the nomination process, we have provided examples of each nomination below. It should be noted that Student Employee of the Year nominations will be collected using an online open-response form, while Supervisor of the Year nominations will be in the form of a submitted letter. If you need additional assistance writing your nomination, feel free to contact Olivia Daley.
Ready to submit your nomination?
The deadline to submit both a student or supervisor nomination is January 31, 2021.
Questions?
Contact our employer relations consultant, Olivia Daley, if you have additional questions or need assistance with your nomination.