Maverick Student Employment Award Winners Announced

The Maverick Student Employment Awards Banquet was held on April 15 as part of National Student Employment Week. Nominators were asked to outline accomplishments and connect their nomination to at least one of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) competencies for career readiness. The competencies include career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology.

Congratulations to this year's award recipients and nominees. A special thank you to all who nominated student employees and their teams for the awards, the Maverick Student Employment Steering Committee who reviewed and voted for the winners, and the Chancellor’s Office for their commitment and support.

Award Winners

Three awards were presented at the banquet including: Graduate Student Employee of the Year, Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year, and Student Employee Team of the Year.

Graduate Student Employee of the Year

Saeed Dabbour - Graduate Assistant for the CADRE Project in Teacher Education

Saeed’s nominator said the following: “Part of what drew us to him for the role was his professionalism, technical knowledge, and his communication skills. He has built relationships with faculty on campus as well as teachers and leaders in nine local school districts spanning two states. He has helped us think more critically about our recruitment and retention efforts in CADRE. He analyzed what platforms we currently have and helped us think more critically about branding and representation. He has merged multiple social media platforms and manages them via HubSpot, created a listserv, works with our TSA undergraduate scholars to help them build their own professional portfolios and created our social media content calendar.”

Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year

Katrina Washington - Student Worker in the Chemistry Department

Katrina’s nominator said the following: “Katrina has always been a tremendous asset to the Chemistry Office. Our department uses ACS Chemistry exams that have strict access rules and procedures to follow. Katrina always prepares exams for instructors and recently reorganized and audited the exams to ensure accurate records of serial numbers and make the exams easier to prepare. She is a reliable and trustworthy team member and always does what she can to help.”

Student Employee Team of the Year

The Child Care Center Team

The team’s nominator said the following: “To recognize the importance of Student Workers at the UNO Child Care Center is monumental. They are vital to the mission of the child care program. Their commitment to excellence and their focus on children and families is evident. The UNO Child Care Center has endured many obstacles since the start of COVID and the staff have continued to work in these unprecedented circumstances. The Child Care Center Team has stayed Maverick Strong throughout. The Child Care Center could not stay open without the assistance of student workers.”

Additional Nominees

This year’s nominees also included:

Graduate Student Employee of the Year

• Daniel Kreuzberg, Assistant Program Evaluator for the STEPs program in the Grace Abbott School of Social Work

• Bennett Dement, Administrative Assistant for the STEPs program in the Grace Abbott School of Social Work

• Lizeth Fraire, Assistant Program Evaluator for the STEPs program in the Grace Abbott School of Social Work

Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year

• Jacob Schreiber, Stockroom Attendant in the Chemistry Department

• Ryuma Mukai, Maverick Den Coffee Shop and Grill in Food Services

• Diana Munoz, Lab Technician for the UNO Social Media Lab for Research and Engagement in the School of Communication, Journalism & Media Communication

• Dev Mehta, Peer Mentor in the Success Academy

• Jackson Hardin, Undergraduate Student Worker in the Service Learning Academy

• Nia Lyons, Undergraduate Student Worker in the Service Learning Academy

• Sheri McVay, Learning Assistant in the Psychology Department

Student Employee Team of the Year

• The Service Learning Academy GA and Undergrad Team

• The Office of Health Security Team

• The Student Ambassador Team in Enrollment Management

• The Thompson Learning Community Desk Assistant Team

• The Thompson Learning Community Peer Mentor Team

• The Explorer Peer Mentor Team in Exploratory Studies