Department of Human Resources

Student Employment Appreciation

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. 

At Oberlin College, over one-third of our student population is employed during any regular academic year! Providing invaluable services and support with enthusiasm, dedication, and focus while developing their academic and professional skills.

The Student Employment Office has taken the initiative to take part in this national celebration in a combined effort with all offices, departments, and academic colleges at Oberlin College. We gladly will use this week to:

  • Enhance awareness of student employees/employment
  • Recognize and reward the vital work that student employees perform
  • Celebrate our student employees!

2024 Student Employee Appreciation Week will be held April 8-12

Student Employee Appreciation Week Committee

The SEO would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the additional members of the Student Employee Appreciation Week (SEAW) Committee for helping to make SEAW a success:

  • Gwen Gemmell
  • Julie Weir
  • Kaylee Mayer
  • Michayla Ward
  • Patty Kishman
  • Randi Villa
  • Tina Zwegat

Local Businesses, Organizations, Vendors, and Campus Departments

We would also like to recognize the following for their generous donations and collaboration:

  • Blue Rooster Bakehouse
  • Lorenzo's Pizzeria
  • Oberlin Bookstore
  • Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc.
  • Hayley Vitale Photography 
  • Office of Admissions
  • Athletics Division
  • Office of Career Exploration and Development
  • Office of Communications
  • Office of the President
  • Office of Student Health and Wellbeing
  • Office of Student Leadership and Involvement

Thank you all!  We couldn't do it without you!                                                                                    

    Faculty & Staff, be part of our 2024 Thank-You video!

    We invite you to participate in a special video message to our students. We want you to express your genuine appreciation for our student employees and share with them how important their contributions are to the success of our community. This is not required and is optional, but we would love it if you could take the time to record a quick message of appreciation for students!

    If you choose to take part in this effort, your message will be featured prominently on our Student Employment Website during Student Employee Appreciation Week and will serve as a reminder to our students that their work is valued and appreciated by all.

    To be part of this, simply submit your videos to this Box link https://oberlin.app.box.com/f/09bf03ccfa334041bb10d6a4e4cad11c by Friday, March 29. We recommend the following quick prompts:

    • Introduction: Name, Title, Department/Location
    • Thank you message!
      • Tips:
        • Be appreciative, thank them for their work, and talk about their impact.
        • If you were a student worker during your college years, tie it to your experience. How did student employment build you?
        • Any inspiring message!

    During this week we encourage you to purposefully celebrate your students! There are a variety of ways in which you can do this, please check out this list for some suggestions. Additionally, our office has created some standard "Thank You!" messages that can be shared via print or email!

    Thank You!Thank You CardThank You CardThank You CardThank You Card

    During our Student Employee Recognition Day, please use the certificates below to recognize your student's efforts! When you click on any of the certificates you will be able to edit any of the certificates to personalize (add name, change message, etc.), simply select "File" and "Make a Copy" to create your own personalized certificate.

    Certificate of AchievementAppreciationRecognition

    Congratulations to Tanisha Shende--2024 National Student Employee of the Year in the Diversity category and Overall National Student Employee of the Year!

    2024 NSEA Student Employee of the Year Flipbook

    Tanisha with award trophy and plaque

    Oberlin College is proud to be a member of the National Student Employee Association (NSEA).  The NSEA is made up of 282 higher education institutions nationwide and selects only one winner for each of five categories from all the nominees submitted from member schools across the country.  The NSEA also selects an Overall Student Employee of the Year from the winners in the five categories.  As part of 2023-2024 National Student Employee Appreciation Week, the Student Employment Office (SEO) accepted candidates for consideration for the NSEA’s Student Employee of the Year nomination.  Oberlin's Student Employee Appreciation Week (SEAW) Committee evaluted the submissions and selected one nominee for each of the five NSEA categories:

    ·         Community Service

    ·         Diversity & Inclusion

    ·         Leadership

    ·         Technology & Innovation

    ·         Critical Thinking

    NSEA Committees and Board Members evauluated all nominations from their member institutions nationwide, and chose one winner in each of the five categories above, along with an Overall Student Employee of the Year. Winners in each category receive $300 from NSEA, with the Overall SEOTY receiving an additional $300.  Each runner-up in the five categories will receive $100.

    This year, we are very honored to announce that the NSEA has chosen Oberlin’s very own Tanisha Shende as both the 2024 National Student Employee of the Year in the Diversity category, as well as the Overall National Student Employee of the Year!  Tanisha works in the Office of Undergraduate Research and was nominated by her supervisor, Zach Slimak, and Oberlin’s SEAW Committee.  Congratulations to Tanisha and her entire department!  We are proud to call you an Obie!  Read more about Tanisha and her work.

    We would also like to proudly recognize all of Oberlin’s nominees and honorable mentions for NSEA Student Employee of the Year and their supervisors:

    Other Oberlin Nominees

    • Sophie Qano—Community Service category, nominating supervisor Gwen Gemmell
    • Katie Tang—Critical Thinking category, nominating supervisor Zach Slimak
    • Jessie Goldberg—Leadership category, nominating supervisor Nicole Williams
    • Quince Hopkins—Technology & Innovation category, nominating supervisor Josh Whitson
    • Olive Badrinath—Leadership category (alternate nominee), nominating supervisor Sean Lehlbach

    Honorable Mentions

    • Mia Brito—Leadership category, candidacy submitted by Sean Lehlbach
    • Ana Howard—Critical Thinking category, candidacy submitted by Jose Garcia & Connie Nagle
    • Nathaniel Liu—Leadership category, candidacy submitted by David Alvarez
    • Finn Miller—Critical Thinking category, candidacy submitted by Sean Lehlbach
    • Olivia Molina—Leadership category, candidacy submitted by Sean Lehlbach
    • Andrea Orozco—Diversity category, candidacy submitted by Zach Slimak
    • Cecil Pulley—Leadership category, candidacy submitted by Zach Slimak
    • Quinn Neubert—Leadership category, candidacy submitted by Jose Garcia & Connie Nagle
    • Cristal Ramos—Critical Thinking category, candidacy submitted by Jose Garcia & Connie Nagle
    • Abby Tejera Rocha—Leadership category, candidacy submitted by Zach Slimak