Additional Information

 

Press release and photo of
2011-2012 winners

Nomination Letters for 2011-2012 Winners (PDF)

2012-2013
Nomination Form (Microsoft Word Document) will be available in January 2013

UI Student Employee of the Year Recognition

In conjunction with National Student Employment Week (April 8-14, 2012), the University seeks to recognize the achievements of students employed through student part-time hourly and Work-Study programs. 

Employers are encouraged to nominate outstanding student hourly employees for the University of Iowa Student Employee of the Year award. Employers are also encouraged to recognize the contributions of their student employees during this national week.

 

Nomination Process

Employers may nominate undergraduate and graduate students paid on an hourly basis through the University student hourly employment programs (Biweekly Continuous IACCT 5940 and Biweekly Work-Study IACCT 5945, 5943, 5944 appointments).  To be nominated for 2011-2012, students must be or project to be employed six months part-time from June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012.  If the student works for more than one supervisor, only one supervisor should submit a nomination form and letter.

Employers should submit the nomination form along with a separate nomination letter to 213 Calvin Hall by the deadline date provided on the nomination form.  The nomination letter provides the selection committee with a “window into the workplace.”  The letter should:

  • give a comprehensive picture of the student employee’s job responsibilities and duties.
  • address the following qualities demonstrated by the student employee:  reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism, and uniqueness of contribution.  
  • provide, whenever possible, examples of how the student demonstrates these qualities.
  • be no more than two typewritten pages in length.

To assist in writing a nomination letter, employers may wish to view letters (PDF) for 2011-12 Student Employee of the Year winners.

Some student employees work as part of a team and cannot be nominated separately. If that is the case, the team can be nominated and will be considered for campus recognition. However, based on the rules established by the National Student Employment Association, teams cannot be recognized beyond the campus level.

 

Selection Process

A selection committee reviews nominations received by the deadline date provided on the nomination form. Several students are selected for recognition. The selection committee is comprised of Cindy Seyfer, Associate Director of Student Financial Aid, a representative from Human Resources, a representative from Student Services, a faculty member, and a student winner from the previous year. 

The nomination letter for the UI Student Employee of the Year winner is submitted by the University of Iowa to the National Student Employment Association (NSEA) for review at the state, regional and national level. The NSEA then selects state, regional, and national winners for additional recognition. 

 

Notification Process

In early April, all nominators are notified in writing of the status of their nomination. Student Employee of the Year mugs and goodies are provided via campus mail to all nominators to present to their nominees.

In late March, Student Employment notifies the nominators of the winners.  A date is selected for a presentation given by Cindy Seyfer and held at the student employee’s work site.  Nominators are asked to keep the recognition winner’s name confidential until the award is presented. Often, nominators will invite staff members and the nominee’s family members to the presentation. This is an opportunity to recognize the student winner and also to celebrate the environment provided by the department that allowed the student to go above and beyond. A reception with food and beverages is often arranged by the department, but is not required.

Campus winners are not announced until National Student Employment Week, April 8-14, 2012.

 

Awards and Recognition

  Nominations

  • University of Iowa Student Employee of the Year – One student is selected. The winner receives a gift certificate to the IMU Bookstore along with a movie pass, mug, and award certificate. 
  • Certificate of Distinction – The number of students selected varies each year based on the applicant pool. The winners receive a movie pass, mug, and award certificate.
  • Certificate of Appreciation - The number of students selected varies each year based on the applicant pool.  The winners receive a movie pass, mug, and award certificate.

Winners of the above awards are recognized during a formal presentation at their individual employment sites.  They are also invited to a recognition luncheon with The University of Iowa President.

All nominees receive a Student Employee of the Year mug and their names and employing departments appear in a Daily Iowan display ad during National Student Employment Week.

 General Campus

During National Student Employment Week, employers are encouraged to find a special way to recognize student employees and may wish to consider the following: 

  • Simply take the time to say “thanks” for a job well done
  • Provide award certificates
  • Host an office potluck
  • Provide “care” packages
  • Share balloons or something special to spruce up their offices or lab spaces

If you choose to distribute gift certificates, movie passes, or something with a monetary value, you may wish to review the University’s Rewards and Recognition Policy.