Student Employee Appreciation Week

April 7-13, 2024

 

Thank you to our Student Employees for your hard work! 

Each year colleges and universities across the country recognize the importance of the student work experience during National Student Employment Week. Established by the  (NSEA), this nationally recognized week is set aside to draw awareness to the importance of student employees in higher education. At , we call this Student Employee Appreciation Week (SEAW). We participate in SEAW by celebrating and recognizing on-campus student employees and their contributions to the university.  

KSU has many qualified and exceptional student employees, and this is a wonderful time to recognize their efforts. It is recommended that departments recognize the student employees in their area during SEAW with activities, awards or other recognition fitting the unique circumstances for their department.

Student Employee Awards Celebration (SEAC)

Tuesday, April 9th, 2024, 5 pm-7 pm
Kent Student Center Ballroom

As part of SEAW, Career Exploration and Development will host the Student Employee Awards Celebration (SEAC), providing incentive and recognition to students who are exceptional in their work and demonstrate strong career readiness competency and academic performance. Further, we will recognize supervisors who are considered exemplary and have a significant impact on their department or organization.

Award Descriptions

Change-Maker Award

A distinguished disrupter who has made an outsized impact on their community through work and service. Their knowledge, skills, and involvement ensure that Kent is at the forefront of pressing issues by elevating the student experience, inspiring impactful research efforts, or leading community-driven initiatives.

Excellence In Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Award

Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from various cultures. Engage in practices that actively challenge the systems and structures of racism, oppression, and that limit inclusion and accessibility.

Sunshine & Positivity Award

Knowing work environments differ greatly, this award is given to the individual who always brightens the day of others. They understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.

Inspirational Leadership Award

Demonstrated a positive impact on others and an ability to recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals. These leaders can motivate, energize, and bring passion and connection into their work environment.

Outstanding Supervisor Award

The university celebrates supervisors who go above and beyond the call of duty to engage and develop their student employees. They create a culture of engagement that includes supporting the development of team members and sending a strong, consistent message of respect, empathy, and trust.

Flashes GROW Award

The Flashes GROW Award recognizes a supervisor or department dedicated to preparing students for their careers through student employment. They engage students in high-impact conversations, that require reflection on their work, to help students articulate the knowledge and skills learned through work and make connections to academics and beyond.

Award Eligibility
  • Hold a "Student employment” classification (hired through CampusWorks)
  • Be current students in good standing
  • Be enrolled during Spring 2024 semester
  • Has worked a minimum of 6 months as a student employee from June 2023 through May 2024.
  • Graduate Assistants are not eligible for this award.
Award Nomination and Selection Process

As part of the Student Employee Awards Celebration, individual departments and supervisors are encouraged to nominate outstanding student employees for a student employee award. Student employees are encouraged to nominate their supervisor for the Outstanding Supervisor Award. Further, staff and faculty members are encouraged to nominate their department, themselves (as a supervisor of student employees), or a colleague (as a supervisor of student employees) for the Flashes GROW Award.

Online nominations must be submitted by 11:59pm on Friday, February 9, 2024. The nomination forms will open on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Individuals selected as finalists and identified to receive an award will be honored at the Student Employee Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Additional items of acknowledgment will also be provided. Each nominee will be notified of their nomination by Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Each Finalist and their supervisor will be notified by Friday, March 15, 2024.

 

Complete this form to nominate a supervisor of a student employee for the Outstanding Supervisor Award. This form should only be completed by student employees and each student can nominate one supervisor.  

 

Complete this form to nominate a student employee. This form should only be completed by supervisors or staff members, not by student employees. Any staff or faculty member, with the approval of the student's direct supervisor, may submit a nomination. There is no limit to the number of nominations a supervisor or staff member can submit, but only submit one nomination per student. Staff may nominate multiple students, but a separate form must be submitted for each nominee.

 

Complete this form to nominate your department, yourself (as a supervisor of student employees), or a colleague (as a supervisor of student employees) for the Flashes GROW Award. This form should only be completed by supervisors or staff members, not by student employees. There is no limit to the number of nominations a supervisor or staff member can submit, but only submit one nomination per person/department. Staff may nominate multiple supervisors, but a separate form must be submitted for each nominee. 

SEAC Event Information

Hosted by Career Exploration and Development and University College, SEAC is a banquet recognizing the tremendous contributions of our student employees to and community. Professional attire is encouraged. Free professional clothing is available for students from the Career Closet. Hours, locations, and more information can be found here.  

ALL supervisors and student employees are invited and encouraged to attend. Registration for the event is required. Space is limited, and we recommend registering early to reserve your place. 

SEAC Event Registration

The winner and four finalists for each award will be recognized during the Student Employee Awards Celebration (SEAC) on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 5pm-7pm in the Kent Student Center Ballroom.

Registration for this event is required and will open on Monday, February 19, 2024. Departments must on behalf of their student(s), staff, and supervisor(s) attending. The cost to attend is $12 per person or $80 for an eight-person table. Departments will be invoiced through Interdepartmental Charge (IDC). The registration deadline for the event is Friday, March 22, 2024.

Each finalist and their supervisor will be notified by Friday, March 15, 2024, to ensure finalists and their supervisor have an opportunity to register to attend the event, if they have not done so already.

During the celebration, all nominees that attend will receive a Flashes “K” pin. All finalists will receive a Flashes “K” pin and a certificate of recognition. The winner for each award will receive a Flashes “K” pin, a certificate of recognition, and a plaque.

Questions about the event can be emailed to campusworks@kent.edu.

Award Winners and Finalists Archive

SEAC 2024 Award Winners:

Change-Maker Award

  • Aciano Leipply-Caban - Department of Biological Sciences

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Award

  • Ely Federspiel - University Orientation and Visit Experience

Inspirational Leadership Award

  • Maris Walter - Academic Success Center

Sunshine and Positivity Award

  • Keerthan Gopu - Recreation and Wellness Services

Outstanding Supervisor Award

  • Kedron Trapp - Design Innovation
  • Shawn Wilson - Admissions

Flashes GROW Award

  • Taraneh Meshkani, DDes - College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Department of Architecture
  • Recreation and Wellness Services Department

More Student Employee Appreciation Week Events & Activities 

 

FREE Ice Skate

For SEAW, the Ice Arena is providing a free ice-skating event for on-campus student employees.

  • The open skate will be on Wednesday, April 10th, 8:30pm – 10:30pm. Students can arrive any time to skate during the event.
  • On-campus student employees may bring 1 guest who is not a student employee with them to skate. The guest must be a student and be accompanied by the on-campus student employee.
  • All students must present their FLASHcard to participate and will be required to sign a waiver prior to receiving their skates.
  • Be sure to dress warmly, no shorts allowed while on the ice.
  • For more information on skating rules, visit the Ice Arena Webpage.

FREE Climbing Wall Session

For SEAW, the  Beverly J. Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center is providing a free climbing session at the Climbing Wall for on-campus student employees. Come to the Free Friday at Four session on Friday, April 12th 4:00pm – 5:00pm and climb for free!

  • You can be belayed up the Climbing Wall three times by the Adventure Center staff.
  • This is a great way to see if you might enjoy rock climbing!
  • Student employees must present their FLASHcard to participate and will be required to sign a waiver.
  • Please wear athletic clothing. No baggy clothing or dangling jewelry allowed.
  • For more information on climbing rules, visit the Climbing Wall webpage.

FREE RelaxSpace Session

For SEAW, the  Beverly J. Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center is offering a free session in the RelaxSpace pod for on-campus student employees, who are Recreation and Wellness Center members, to de-stress.

  • Choose from hundreds of mindfulness/meditation programs
  • Book online, in-person or over the phone
  • May book up to 2 sessions per day
  • Check-in for session 5-10 minutes before scheduled time at the Fitness & Wellness Services desk
  • Sessions available during Fitness & Wellness Services desk hours:
    • Monday-Thursday: 11a.m - 7p.m.
    • Friday: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Book your FREE 15-minute session !

FREE Professional Attire

Visit Career Exploration & Development’s Career Closet for FREE career and interview-ready outfits! Come to our office in 261 Schwartz Center any time M-F 9 am-3 pm to browse the closet. Learn more here.

Stay in the know about SEAW! Follow CED on social media