Students Earn National Recognition for Excellence in Campus Employment

Photo Credit: Hayley Vitale

This year, Oberlin College is proud to celebrate two extraordinary student employees who have earned national accolades from the National Student Employment Association's (NSEA) 2025 Student Employee of the Year Awards: Calliope Lissak, recipient of the Leadership Award, and Omukoko Okoth, Runner-Up in the Diversity & Inclusion Category. Their recognition marks the second consecutive year that Oberlin students have received national honors through the NSEA’s Student Employee of the Year program.

On Monday, April 14, Calliope and Omukoko were honored in a campus celebration hosted by President Carmen Ambar. Surrounded by their nominators, departmental supervisors, and campus leaders, both students accepted their awards with humility and joy—underscoring the profound impact of their work and their unwavering commitment to community.

Photo Credit: Hayley Vitale

A Leader Who Builds Coalitions
Calliope Lissak, a senior and long-time facilitator with PRSM (Preventing and Responding to Sexual Misconduct), was recognized for her transformative leadership. In her final year, she founded the Oberlin Coalition for Sexual Education, bringing together four distinct student organizations to collaborate on campus-wide sexual health, wellness, and prevention programming. Her efforts have replaced division with unity, fostering shared understanding and resourcefulness among groups that once operated in silos. Her work not only redefined consent education at Oberlin but also established a replicable model for student-led collaboration across campus.

A Mentor Who Creates Belonging
Omukoko Okoth, a fourth-year student, was recognized for his compassionate, identity-affirming work as a Peer Mentor in the Center for Student Success. A first-generation, low-income international student, Omukoko co-founded the African Brotherhood, a community-rooted network supporting African students as they navigate life at Oberlin. Through mentorship, cultural celebration, and tireless advocacy, he has created a home away from home for others. His thoughtful leadership, paired with his unwavering dedication to student success, continues to influence institutional initiatives and support systems across campus.

The Student Employment Office and the Student Employment Appreciation Week Committee are proud to facilitate Oberlin’s participation in the NSEA awards program. These recognitions are a testament not only to the talent and commitment of our student employees, but also to Oberlin’s mission of cultivating leadership, equity, and experiential learning through meaningful on-campus work.

We congratulate Calliope and Omukoko on their well-deserved recognition and thank the faculty and staff who support, mentor, and elevate student employees throughout their time at Oberlin.