To be nominated for Keuka College’s Student Employee of the Year award, a student must demonstrate excellence in several categories, including outstanding merit in reliability, quality of work, initiative, disposition, and contribution to employer.

“I was very impressed with the level of responsibility and competence demonstrated by the students [this year],” said Sally Daggett, associate director of experiential learning. “The field of nominees represents the best student employees at Keuka.”

The Center for Experiential Learning sponsors the annual award, along with the Northeast Association of Student Employment Administrators (NEASEA). Serving 11 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, NEASEA is a non-profit association of professionals from education, business, industry, labor and government who are involved with programs for students who work while attending college.

Nine students have been nominated for the 2008 award; the nominees will be honored and the winner announced at a luncheon Wednesday, April 16. Here's a look at the contenders:

As the interlibrary loan assistant, senior Ashley Leubner must be able to meet deadlines and budget, obtain interlibrary loan (ILL) materials as requested by patrons, pack and ship these materials quickly and accurately, and prepare displays for the library.

Linda Park, director of the Lightner Library, nominated Leubner  for theaward. One reason for Park’s selection of the biology major is that her work is “outstanding.

“Ashley is responsible for finding materials other libraries have requested and preparing them for mailing,” said Park. “She is also responsible for processing the incoming ILL materials.”

According to Park, speed is essential so that the ILL materials are processed quickly. Accuracy is also important so the materials get to the proper destination without being lost.

“Ashley is meticulous in preparing materials for shipping,” said Park. “Her skills and work ethic have made it possible for our ILL department to run efficiently and effectively.”

As one of the “most reliable” students Park has had, Leubner is willing to perform any job assigned. 

“Ashley learns each new job quickly and works with minimal supervision,” said Park. “She does a good job of managing her time.” 

Park also relies on Leubner for the preparation of library displays. 

“Ashley is very talented and has assisted in the creation of many eye-catching displays,” said Park. “She is an outstanding worker, and I am very pleased with her continuing development and her willingness to assume more responsibilities. Her attention to detail and motivation to do a good job are always apparent. Ashley has been a great addition to Lightner Library.”

Chris Russell is one busy mulit-tasker in the Geiser Refectory.

The junior can assemble omelets, bake pizza, serve as a prep cook, work the deli and grill, and assist in setting up for catered events.

Joe Smith, who nominated Russell, says he deserves the title of utility person in dining services.

“Chris can work any station in the Geiser, and he always reports on time, is ready, willing, and dressed in appropriate attire,” said Smith. “On numerous occasions, Chris has been asked on short notice to come in and cover a station, and he can easily fill any position.”

Smith says Russell’s work is of the highest quality, and the kitchen staff depends on him greatly.

“He requires no supervision and his work is always thorough,” said Smith. “Being in his third year with us, Chris knows what's expected of him. He needs no instructions, and when he sees something that needs to be done, he takes control and does the task.”

Added Smith: “Chris is a great asset to our kitchen staff, and we look forward to his return next semester.”

Paulette Willemson, secretary in the Division of Education and Social Work, began working at Keuka at the end of the spring 2007 semester.

Being unfamiliar with the Keuka campus, Willemson relied on Nicole (Nikki) Froniear, a social work office assistant and education teaching assistant.

“Nikki made my transition to Keuka smooth and easy,” said Willemson, who nominated Froniear. “She is very knowledgeable, and quite often assisted me with answers for the many questions students posed.”

Athough Willemson is nearing her first anniversary of employment with Keuka, she still relies on Froniear.

“I have found Nikki to be dependable, reliable, hard-working, conscientious, honest, and courteous,” said Willemson. “I feel these attributes demonstrate someone with an exceptional character.”

According to Willemson, Froniear has presented herself professionally and does not view her position as “just” a work-study job.

 “Nikki comes to work on time and will go above and beyond to complete any work she is assigned in a quality manner,” said Willemson. “She is a tremendous asset to the division.”

Willemson attests that Froniear demonstrates “a giving and generous nature” in her free time. Froniear serves as a tutor as the teaching assistant for EDU 309: Integrated Methods of Teaching in the Childhood Classroom, and Willemson will find her tutoring students after hours.

“Nikki is a young woman of great integrity, and is extremely dedicated to the field of education,” said Willemson.

According to Andi Lippincott, assistant director of development and manager of annual giving programs, Sandra Vanstrom is so dependable that the Office of Development often sets its “work day clock” according to the time she is due to work.

“Sandy is always on time for work, is conscientious, and always willing to work when needed,” said Lippincott, who nominated. “She often volunteers to help at various development or alumni functions, such as RPO concerts and the President's Forum (Fribolin Lecture), among others.”

Vanstrom came in early one Saturday to assist with a phonathon in which the Alumni Executive Council was involved. According to Lippincott, no other student made themselves available that day.

But that doesn’t surprise Lippincott.

“During phonathons, she is gracious and friendly,” said Lippincott. “She is very approachable, especially by those with less phonathon or office experience.”

Vanstrom, says Lippincott, sets a great example for other phonathon student workers and office assistants.

“Sandy is always patient when assisting or teaching, giving clear and simple direction, even when conveying information that may be complicated to understand,” she said. “While working in the office, Sandy initiates looking for work once she is finished with a given task. She learns quickly and rarely makes mistakes, which is very important in our department where attention to detail is a must."

According to Lippincott, the development office receives calls from a diverse population, but Vanstrom is “always clear and able to handle each call as it arises.

“It is always a good feeling to know that someone as competent as Sandy is answering phones in our absence,” said Lippincott. “Her quality of work is excellent. Not only does she follow through, but you can count on whatever she is doing to be done properly and to the best of her ability."

As a caterer for Sodexo Food Services, senior Sara Malikowski must set up events, serve food, and take down functions both on and off campus.

According to Caroline Seils, catering manager, “Sara has contributed in many ways, but the biggest for me is being a leader.

“I can't always work every function, and sometimes there are so many, I look to Sara to lead a function,” said Seils, who nominated Malikowski. “She can take any function sheet and handle it from beginning to end. I can ask Sara to do something, or complete a project, and I know it will be completed perfectly and I don't have to worry about [the project].”

Even when Malikowski is not scheduled for work, Seils knows she can count on Malikowski to check in to see if she is needed.

“Sara always goes the extra mile,” said Seils. “She is always smiling and looking for ways to help, whether it is to further decorate a buffet and or to add other special touches.”

Added Seils: “Sara is very thorough and detailed oriented. She has to make sure everything is perfect. She helps her co-workers succeed as well as helping me and our department succeed. Sara has been a true asset to Sodexo catering.”

The D.R.I.V.E.(diversity, responsibility, inclusion, vision and experiential learning) program has been a big success thanks to the dedication of students such as Aubrey Orloff.

In the program, Keuka College students (sophomores, juniors and seniors who are human services-related majors—psychology, occupational therapy, education and social work) serve as peer mentors to young adults with developmental disabilities as they assimilate into the college environment and explore their personal goals.

The program is funded by the Penn Yan Central School District, administered and coordinated by Yates County ARC and located on the Keuka campus.

According to Heather Bond, intake and transition coordinator for the Yates County ARC, “Aubrey has a maturity beyond her years.

“She treats every student in our program with the utmost respect and kindness,” said Bond. “She has the innate ability to see the skills and assets they bring to the campus. Aubrey is always on task and completes any assignment given to her without flaw. She never hesitates to participate no matter what we ask of her, and freely offers new ideas and suggestions  to the team.”

 Upon returning from her January Field Period, Orloff learned that her work study dollars were not sufficient to cover spring semesters hours. So, she offered to continue with the program as a volunteer for the rest of the academic year because she “enjoys the students and spending time with them,” said Bond.

Last semester, Orloff worked closely with a student that can be “rather challenging behaviorally, especially during periods of transition throughout the school day,” said Bond. “Despite this, Aubrey remained positive and creative, and did not allow herself to become frustrated with the situation. Aubrey has a confident yet gentle and reassuring approach that really gave this student the opportunity to explore and grow in the collegiate environment on her own terms.

“When Aubrey works with our students they are fully integrated into the campus without exception,” added Bond. “She does not hesitate to introduce the D.R.I.V.E. students to her friends and acquaintances on campus, and has even offered to volunteer her time after work hours so that a student could come back to campus and participate in evening activies.”

According to Bond, the greatest testament to the quality of Orloff’s work is the response the D.R.I.V.E. students have had to her.

“Aubrey is highly regarded among all of our students, and they look forward to running into her on campus,” said Bond. “Aubrey’s smile is constant and infectious no matter what the circumstance, and she works very well in a team environment. Aubrey is very flexible and has adjusted to her D.R.I.V.E. student's needs quickly and efficiently.”

Junior Laurie Kaczmarek, circulation desk worker and computer lab assistant in Lightner Library, has “one of the best work ethics” of any of Library Circulation Supervisor Carol Sackett’s student workers.

In fact, Sackett, who nomiated the occupational theapy major, says Kaczmarek’s work ethic is one of her strongest characteristics.

“Laurie shows great initiative in that she easily adapts to changes that are constant in our work, and instructs new student workers,” said Sackett. “She has learned about various services in our library and shows others how to make use of them with gusto.”

In addition to learning the services the library provides, Kaczmarek “continues to look for more tasks to complete during her work hours and she inspires other workers as well.

“Laurie is always cheerful and ready to tackle any problem that arises,” says Sackett. “She has learned how to handle a variety of personalities and she is effective in dealing with all of them.”

Last year, Kaczmarek was appointed as a student representative to the Friends of the Lightner Library Board of Directors. And that didn’t surprise Sackett.

“Her ideas and opinions are a valuable contribution to the overall running of this group that supports Lightner Library,” said Sackett. “She has shown courtesy to all, is eager to learn and teach others, and works exceedingly well with all workers, both students and staff. Her initiative in completing any task is relentless as she assumes more and more responsibilities.” 

Matt Szczesniak’s duties as a mail room clerk include sorting and delivering incoming and outgoing mail, sorting and delivering packages, assisting with large copy and print jobs, assisting customers, and other jobs as assigned by his supervisor, IKON Site Manager Terri Spoor.

And Spoor, who nominated Szczesniak for award, can always count on him to be on time for work.

“Matt takes his job seriously and understands the need to work each shift assigned to him,” said Spoor. “I am able to set aside certain tasks for his shift, and Matt has learned our jobs and system quite well. He sees work that needs to be completed and starts in without being instructed.”

In fact, Spoor observed Szczesniak as he learned to prioritize jobs and concluded he needed little supervision.

“Matt has a strong sense of pride in his work and it shows in the quality of work he provides,” said Spoor. “He is very careful with his work and enjoys doing any job, no matter how small, to the best of his ability.”

According to Spoor, Szczesniak does not complain and often asks for more work.

“He has learned to use many of our machines and jumps in where ever he is needed,” said Spoor. “Matt contributes so much to the flow of our work place. He will stay past his scheduled shift if needed without complaint. He will even covers shifts for other students because he understands our shifts are very important ones.”

Spoor says Szczesniak likes to get his mail routes finished quickly and efficiently.

“Matt  prefers to be busy and productive,” said Spoor. “I have several good student employees, but Matt stands out in the crowd. I am very impressed with his level of maturity and responsibility at a young age. He seems to feel a great satisfaction in learning tasks and never shies away from new situations.”

If Spoor needs to leave the mail room, she feels comfortable with Szczesniak “at the helm.

“I know Matt will produce quality work and put our customer's needs first,” said Spoor. “I am thrilled to nominate Matt as an outstanding student employee and all around excellent asset to the College campus.”

As a student athletic trainer, John Hanson has myriad duties.

Among them are to assist the head athletic trainer with the prevention, care and treatment of athletic injuries; practice and game preparation; prepare sidelines and bench areas with all required emergency equipment and medical supplies; and provide bench supplies for both Keuka and visiting teams.

According to Jeff Bray, athletic trainer, if you look “reliability” up in the dictionary, you are likely to find a photo of Hanson.

“I have been blessed with several outstanding student employees over the past 16 years and John ranks right at the top,” said Bray. “He has never failed to show for work and even stops by or calls on a day off to make sure that he isn't needed. If he is given a task, it will be completed without hesitation.”

Once Bray has given Hanson instructions or an assignment, “I just have to stand back and let him go; there is no doubt that it will be done well.

“To be quite honest, there are days I can't find enough work to keep John happy,” added Bray. “He constantly wants more, and has come to me many times and asked, ‘Do you mind if I do ….?’ Or, he will call me and offer a suggestion that he has been thinking about that he believes will make our shop run more smoothly and efficiently.”

During his employment with Bray, Hanson has developed an emergency plan for the athletics department and worked to secure ambulance coverage for home lacrosse games. He has worked with the new student athletic trainers and is very thorough and diligent in his effort.

And it is not just Bray who relies on Hanson.

“Our coaching staff has the utmost confidence in his abilities and trust his judgement,” said Bray. “I have never had a call at home while John was covering an evening or weekend practice from a coach questioning his decision and asking for my input. He has established a fine rapport with our our coaching staff and student-athletes.” 

-- Gretchen Parsells