The nomination period for the 2026 Student Employee Recognition Awards will open December 1st and close January 23rd.
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
- 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.
- Departments may nominate multiple students, so long as each nominee represents an appropriate sub-area of that department.
- Nominees may only be nominated for one award.
- 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.
- Nominations will close on January 23rd at 5pm.
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.
2025 Student Employee Recognition Awards Recipients:
2025 Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year
2025 National Student Employee of the Year
2025 National Innovation and Technology Category Winner
Kimberly Olivas - Graduate College
2025 Graduate Student Employee of the Year
Aili Ortega - The Center for Professional Sales
Leadership in Action Award
Chelsea Jackson - The McCoy College of Business Dean's Office
All-Star Service Award
Niharika Anand - The McCoy College of Business Dean's Office
Rising Star Award
John Hearn - The Ingram School of Engineering
Behind the Scenes Hero Award
Tessa Wieberg - The Department of Academic Services
Previous Student Employee of the Year Award Winners:
2024 - Emily Nickerson (Undergraduate) & Millie Muratalla (Graduate)
2023 - Luis Diaz (Undergraduate) & Emma Fukuda (Graduate)
2022 - Jason Plancarte Mendoza
2021 - Lauren Green
2020 - Emily Guerrero
2019 - Chet Mason Glasscock
2018 - Carlos Flores
2017 - Coffey McCurdy
2016 - Lorissa Soto
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.
