Student Employees of the Year Program

Congratulations to the following students for being selected as award recipients for the 2012 Student Employees of the Year Program! 

 
Laura Cruz

Laura was nominated by her supervisor, Penny Lewis, for her outstanding work as a student assistant in the Department of Dance.  Penny Lewis stated that “Laura Cruz is the most reliable student assistant I have employed.  If she thinks there is a better way to do a task, she will present it to me and we discuss it.  Often, she is correct and helps to establish a new procedure that actually makes our job easier.  She never backs away from a project and will tackle anything head on, asking questions to clarify instructions and procedure, then staying with the project until completion. She always has a positive attitude, a smile and a mature way of thinking that continues to amaze and impress me.”   

Laura states that her on-campus job has helped her to grow personally and professionally by “giving me the opportunity to become a confident worker.  It has also helped me become more independent and has elevated my motivation to take more initiative.  My on-campus job has allowed me to improve my people skills in an environment that is very welcoming and helpful in learning about the workplace.  I have been able to develop a good professional relationship with my employers, who help me by working with my school schedule and patiently teach me what I need to know to better perform at my job.”

Qumia Gipson

Qumia was nominated by her supervisor, Carol Nelson, and by Harry Winn and Jennifer Tyler for her exemplary performance as a student assistant in the Department of Family Sciences.  Jennifer Tyler states that “Qumia is one of the most responsible students that I have seen grace the TWU campus.  She is wise beyond her years, but most importantly, she exudes the professionalism, drive, reliability, initiative and communication skills that the University’s faculty and staff are held to.  She holds herself to a higher standard and you can tell by the results of her work.  She consistently looks for ways to help improve the efficiency of the department by not having the “that’s the way we’ve always done it”, type of attitude.  She is now, what we aspire our students to be in the workforce once they have graduated and moved on.”

            Qumia states that “working in the Family Sciences Department has made me grow personally by showing me how much I can handle all at once in my life and balancing it out.  Professionally, this department has helped me put all my skills to the test while teaching me new long-term strategies that I can take with me in my career.” 


                                             

Amanda Gomez

Amanda was nominated by her supervisor, Dr. Charlotte Sanborn, for her exceptional work performance in her student assistant position in the Department of Kinesiology.  Dr. Sanborn says that “Amanda does a phenomenal job as our departmental receptionist and office assistant.  Amanda is very conscientious about the quality of work that she performs.  She understands that importance of completing each assignment in a timely, efficient manner, paying close attention to detail.  Faculty often seeks out Amanda for special projects that they need completed with accuracy.  Overall, Amanda is an integral member of our department.” 

            Amanda says that “working in my position as a student assistant has taught me about multi-tasking, learning to take initiative, and to be fully engaged in the workplace.  It can be easy to allow the daily stresses of life, such as finances, school, or personal issues, to affect my behavior in the workplace; however, even if it is a stressful day, I have learned to still give a smile and provide assistance.  I believe that is what separates mediocre work from excellent work; to be able to focus on the task(s) at hand and to go the extra mile.”   

 

Crystal Lumanze

Crystal was nominated by her supervisor, Nelrica Kendrick, for her outstanding performance as a student assistant in the Houston J. Florence A. Doswell College of Nursing.  Nelrica states that “Crystal’s work ethic is simply impeccable.  She identifies what needs to be done and does it without being asked to do so.  Crystal has been part of approximately 90% of the tours that have been done since our building opened in January 2011.  For a clear perspective, that equals more than 50 individual tours in which she has participated.  Her knowledge, poise, and consummate professionalism make her a tour favorite for perspective students, parents and community leaders.”   

            As a nursing major, Crystal says “I enjoy the atmosphere of my job.  I like that I am in an environment that corresponds with my career.  My biggest challenge is:  always wanting to help people.  I have to assist in overseeing their (TWU nursing students) skills in their simulations and check-offs.  As much as I want to help the students and show them how to do the skill the right way, I can’t.  So what I do is try to encourage them that they do know the information and the skills.  I encourage them to start over in their mind and go step by step, even steps like washing their hands and donning their gloves.  Sometimes I like to drill them before they come in when they are practicing in the hall and maybe give them a pneumonic to help.  This will help in my career because I can’t always do things for my patients; they sometimes have to help themselves to get better.” 

 

Jasmine Wiley

Jasmine was nominated by her supervisor, Emily Martin, and Kyle Voyles for her excellent performance as a student assistant in the Student Union.  Emily shares that “the word ‘reliability’ and Jasmine are synonymous with each other.  She has become the ‘go-to’ person for the Student Union when we need someone to assist.  She can always be counted upon to step up and work additional hours as needed for evening and weekend shifts.  She is one of the hardest working employees I have ever supervised.  I never have to find something for Jasmine to do.  In fact, it is often Jasmine who brings projects and concerns to my attention.”  According to Kyle Voyles, Director of the Student Union, “No student, in my tenure as Director, has grown as much as Jasmine has over the years.  She embodies all of the positive qualities that we want our students to possess.  It is an honor to have Jasmine work for the Union and to represent us on a daily basis.”

            Jasmine shares that “The Student Union staff has always pushed me in a way that made me want to go beyond what was expected of me.  I’ve learned to become a more effective speaker, personable with the public and secure in my abilities to perform my job assignment.  When I enter the professional world, I will be well equipped on what it means to work as a team, multi-task under a tight time schedule and meet the daily assigned missions as I continue to stand firm in my ethical boundaries within myself.”   


Congratulations to all of the nominees for the program! List of Nominees [Word]

Thank you to all TWU faculty, staff and students that participated by nominating a student employee for the program.

What is the Student Employees of the Year Program?

Students employed in on-campus jobs perform work that is vital to the overall operation and success of Texas Woman’s University.  Each spring, The Student Employees of the Year Program will recognize five outstanding student employees for their excellent work performance during the academic year.   Students will be acknowledged for their exemplary performance in the following areas:

• Quality of Work
• Customer Service
• Unique Contribution
• Initiative
• Reliability 

Who is eligible?

Eligible students must meet the following criteria:

• Have completed three months of employment in her or his current position during the current school year.
• Be an undergraduate or graduate student employed through Student Employment (Graduate Assistants are not eligible for the program).

Nominations:

All TWU faculty, staff and students are eligible to make nominations, which will be evaluated by a selection committee.  Nominations are for individual recognition.  Group nominations will not be considered.

While it is possible for more than one student to receive an award from a department, it is important that the submissions be individualized for each student in order to determine their outstanding qualities.

Award Recipients:

All nominees will receive a certificate and award recipients will be recognized at the Redbud Awards Festival (produced and sponsored through the Center for Student Development) held each spring semester. 

Congratulations again to this year’s winners and nominees!!!