Monmouth University’s Student Employment Office announced Student Employee and Supervisor of the Year awards at a reception on April 17 in celebration of National Student Employment Week held April 14-20.
Emily Blaser, a senior communication major, won Student Employee of the Year for her work in the Undergraduate Admission office. Blaser went on to compete at the state competition and also captured the New Jersey State Northeast Association of Student Employment Administrators Student Employee of the Year award, only the second time Monmouth has won at this level.
“Working as a lead ambassador for the Admission Office has truly been the highlight of my college years here at Monmouth,” said Blaser. “I love showing off our beautiful campus to prospective students and their families on tours. Not only have I learned many valuable skills from working in this position, but this job has introduced me to some of my best friends, who I know I’ll remain close with for many years to come.”
Senior business major Nicole Jaconski won the Federal Work Study Community Service award for her work with George Catrambone School, part of Long Branch Public Schools. In his second year being nominated, David Tsang, manager of the Digital Print Center, took home the Supervisor of the Year award.
“The student employee of the year reception and the entire student employee appreciation week is my favorite part of the year at Monmouth,” said Aimee Parks, assistant director of human resources for the Student Employment Office. “Many of our student employees work just as hard as we do—day in and day out. We have been fortunate to see them excel in their studies, at their work assignments, and grow as people and professionals. It is so exciting and rewarding and we thank the students for their valuable contributions.”
Approximately 30% of Monmouth University full-time undergraduate students were hired through the Student Employment Office this year. The University, which has celebrated student employees for 23 years, sponsored several events in honor of National Student Employment Week, including a cocoa bar, a bake off, and a “deck your door” contest.
The National Student Employment Association (NSEA) designates one week each year for universities and colleges across the country to recognize the substantial contributions of students who work on campus.
In order to be eligible for the Student Employee of the Year award, students must be nominated and have worked a minimum of six months part time (or three months “full time”) between June 2018 and May 2019. Nominees were judged on their contributions to their position, how they exceed expectations, their leadership skills, and initiative and positive impact to the department, campus, and /or community.