National Student Employment Week

April 8 - 12, 2019

Each year colleges and universities across the country recognize the importance of the student work experience during National Student Employment Week. Student employment offers students career-enhancing opportunities, the ability to develop skills relevant to any career, and better preparation for the job market upon graduation.

At K-State, our student employees perform invaluable services with enthusiasm, dedication, and initiative. Indeed, many departments depend on the contributions of this reliable workforce for their daily operations. During National Student Employment Week, we celebrate our student employees in a variety of ways.

Kyle Pelton Student Employee of the Year award (SEOTY)

The 2019 Student Employee of the Year Awards Ceremony will be held April 10, 2019.

Do you have a student worker who goes above and beyond the call of duty? Someone who makes your life easier and your office/department a better place? A student employee who exemplifies the Principles of the Wildcat Way?

Nominate a student.

Selection Criteria

Please complete each section thoroughly. It is recommended that nominators provide specific examples of the student’s exemplary work.

Students will be evaluated based on the nominator's description of their abilities in the following categories on a scale of 0 - 3 (see below):

Reliability	Overall consistency in attendance and work performance. Punctual – always on time, shows up when scheduled and calls in when unable to make scheduled time Responsible Able to work well with fellow employees and supervisor
Quality of Work	Completion of work tasks that exceed expectation in the following area. Work is accurate, thorough and acceptable Uses materials and time economically Completion of work in a timely manner Consistency in meeting deadlines Ability to work under pressure
Initiative	Ability to assess and initiate things independently, act or take charge before others. Is motivated to finish work on time and properly Accepts/seeks challenges and identifies problems to solve Responds enthusiastically to challenges Willing to accept new projects/methods/information that add to the position and quality of service Finishes work creatively
Professionalism	The skill, good judgment, and polite behavior that is expected from a person who is trained to do a job well. Dresses appropriately for the position Has ability to make sound decisions Serves as a leader and model for others Regularly works with peers to contribute to a safe and orderly environment
Defining Story	Provide an example of the positive impact the nominee has had to your department, campus or community. The lasting imprint this student will leave with your department What sets this student employee apart from other student employees in your department

Nomination Rating Scale:

0 = Blank or off topic. No example provided or example provided is off-topic

1 = Limited. Nominator provided limited information and description of nominee’s ability in this category. Examples provided were vague and immeasurable

2 = Successful. Nominator provided specific examples of nominee’s ability in this category, however, the examples provided did not fulfill all of the criteria

3 = Exceeds Expectations. Nominator provided specific and measurable examples of nominee’s ability in this category that exceeded the criteria, and documented that this occurred on a frequent basis

Eligible Students

Any undergraduate or graduate student who is on student employee payroll, and serves in an official student employee position is eligible to be nominated. Graduate Assistants-GA’s, Graduate Research Assistants-GRA’s, and Graduate Teaching Assistants-GTA’s are ineligible. In order for a nominee to be selected as a finalist, the nominee must be a Kansas State University student in good standing with the university.

Eligible Terms of Employment

Students must have been employed for a minimum of six months between between June 1, 2018, and May 31, 2019 (anticipated).

Nominations are due Feb. 15.
Questions? Please contact the Career Center at careercenter@k-state.edu or 785-532-6506.

2018 SEOTY Winners

The 2018 Kyle Pelton Student Employee of the Year is Canaan Endicott, of K-State Libraries' Building Services. She was nominated by Jesica Thornton, also of Hale Library. Congrats, Canaan!

Canaan Endicott

2018 Finalists

Dakota Baccus, Finalist

Department: New Student Services
Nominated by: Courtney Hallenbeck

Kendra Holthaus, Finalist

Department: Veterinary Health Center Dispensary
Nominated by: Landa Colvin-Marion

Brenden Penner, Finalist

Department: K-State Athletics Operations
Nominated by: James Muller

Reagan Swank, Finalist

Department: K-State First
Nominated by: Brent Weaver

2017 Nominees and Winner

Dominique Hoover, K-State Student Employee of the Year Winner

Department: Recreational Services
Nominated by: Jason Brungardt

Ella Magerl, Finalist

Department: Recreational Services
Nominated by: Travis Redeker

Spencer Schrader, Finalist

Department: Applied Aviation Research Center | K-State Polytechnic Campus
Nominated by: Travis Balthazor

Madison Smith, Finalist

Department: Academic Assistance Center
Nominated by: RJ Youngblood and Stephanie Bannister

Jacquelyn Sommers, Finalist

Department: Engineering Extension
Nominated by: David Carter

2016 Nominees and Winner

Kyle Pelton, K-State Student Employee of the Year Winner

Department: New Student Services
Nominated by: Cole Grieves

Katie Harrison, Finalist

Department: Hale Library
Nominated by: Alyssa Bruce

Nelson Pence, Finalist

Department: Study Abroad Office
Nominated by: Joe Milostan

Jessica Stieben, Finalist

Department: Division of Communications and Marketing
Nominated by: Ashley Martin

Trevor Witt, Finalist

Department: Unmanned Aircraft Systems | K-State Polytechnic Campus
Nominated by: Kurt Carraway

2015 Nominees and Winner

Kyle Hooker, K-State Student Employee of the Year Winner

Department: Horse Unit
Nominated by: Kallie Emig and Tasha Dove

Blaine Cash, Finalist

Department: New Student Services
Nominated by: Kiley Moody

Julia Comstock, Finalist

Department: Catalyst Center
Nominated by: Rusty Earl

April Gee, Finalist

Department: K-State Libraries
Nominated by: Felisa Osburn, Jason Coleman, and Lisa Loberg

Sarah Wilcox, Finalist

Department: Pilots Program
Nominated by: Shay Dodson

Ways to Celebrate Your Student Employees

Recognition is an important part of expressing appreciation for the valuable work our student employees do. There are lots of ways you can celebrate your student workers that cost little — and mean a lot.

Throw a pizza party, potluck, do-it-yourself sundae bar, foot long sub party; have a popcorn machine in your office; serve cake & punch; have a hamburger/hot dog BBQ

Host scavenger hunts with prizes for the winners

Decorate office doors or bulletin boards with posters expressing appreciation to student workers and listing all students’ names

Arrange for administrators to do some "reverse" job shadowing -- partner with a student worker for a day or even an hour, to see what kinds of duties are involved

Organize trivia contests with prizes for winners

Distribute certificates of appreciation

Recognize your students on social media using #WildcatWay to join the conversation