Nominations CLOSED

Nominations for the 2026 Student Employee Recognition Awards have officially closed. We look forward to recognizing and announcing the nominees and winners during Student Employment Week, April 13–17, 2026.

Find additional information on awards, eligibility, and the nomination process below.

Categories for the Student Employee Recognition Awards:

Student Employee of the Year (Undergraduate and Graduate Students Only): Awarded to the student employee that has demonstrated exceptional performance, making a lasting impact at the university or in the community. They have shown professional growth by developing core competencies, taking initiative to acquire new skills, and applying them to contribute to the department's success. Winners will be submitted for the National Student Employee of the Year award presented by the National Student Employment Association.

Rising Star Award (Undergraduate Students Only): Awarded to a student who has shown significant growth in their position and has become a standout team member.

Behind the Scenes Hero Award (Undergraduate Students Only): Awarded to the student whose work may not always be visible but is essential to the success of the team or department.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for consideration, the student employee must be:

  • Currently enrolled
  • An undergraduate or graduate employee (must be classified as an hourly student)
  • There is no minimum length of employment required

Nomination Procedure

  1. Complete the brief nomination form below to highlight your students:
    • Ability to go above and beyond
    • Growth and development
    • Accomplishments in the past year and how they contributed to your work place.
  2. Departments may nominate multiple students, so long as each nominee represents an appropriate sub-area of that department.
  3. Nominees may only be nominated for one award. 
  4. Nomination forms are required for each nominee and are the only items that may be submitted. Additional items such as student resumes and recommendation letters will not be considered as part of the nomination package.
  5. Nominations will close on January 23rd at 5pm.

Check back later for updates and announcements about the 2027 awards!

This recognition program was established for the outstanding contributions and achievements of students who embody service excellence, exceptional quality of work, professionalism, and initiative all while attending college. The recipients are recognized during National Student Employment Appreciation Week in April of each year at the Student Employment Appreciation Reception.

2026 Student Employee Recognition Awards Recipients:

Lesly Headshot

2026 Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year

Lesly Silva - Alkek Libraries

Tori Headshot

2026 Graduate Student Employee of the Year

Tori West - The Center for Professional Sales

Punam Award

Rising Star Award

Punam Ale - Student Health Center

Kiza Headshot

Behind the Scenes Hero Award

Kiza Dunzz - Testing, Evaluation, and Measurement Center

Previous Student Employee Recognition Award Winners:

(SEOTY) 2025 - Kimberly Olivas (Undergraduate) & Aili Ortega (Graduate)

(Leadership in Action) 2025 - Chelsea Jackson

(All-Star Service) 2025 - Niharika Anand

(Rising Star) 2025 - John Hearn

(Behind the Scenes Hero) 2025 - Tessa Wieberg

(SEOTY) 2024 - Emily Nickerson (Undergraduate) & Millie Muratalla (Graduate)

(SEOTY) 2023 - Luis Diaz (Undergraduate) & Emma Fukuda (Graduate)

(SEOTY) 2022 - Jason Plancarte Mendoza

(SEOTY) 2021 - Lauren Green

(SEOTY) 2020 - Emily Guerrero

(SEOTY) 2019 - Chet Mason Glasscock

(SEOTY) 2018 - Carlos Flores

(SEOTY) 2017 - Coffey McCurdy

(SEOTY) 2016 - Lorissa Soto

(SEOTY) 2015 - Jenn Radford

National Student Employment Week

April 13 - 17, 2026

Need help making a plan to show appreciation for your students during Student Employment Week? You don't have to recreate the wheel. We have some suggestions to help on our National Student Employment Week Page!

If you have an outstanding student employee in your office be sure to nominate them for a TXST Student Employee Recognition Awards.

Student with supervisor