2010-11 Student Employee of the Year Winner and Nominees

Jennifer Forsberg, Jamestown, a technology management major at Alfred State College, has been named the 2010-11 Alfred State College Student Employee of the Year. Forsberg works in the Annual Giving Office and was nominated by her supervisor Danielle White, director of Annual Giving.

Students are nominated on the basis of reliability, initiative, quality of work, disposition, and contribution to employer.

Forsberg’s duties included assisting in supervising student callers, updating constituent information in Raiser’s Edge database, preparing nightly mailings, organizing caller pledge cards, maintaining an organized environment, and assisting in collections and closing each night.

In the nomination for the award, Forsberg is characterized as reliable, dependable, and timely. White also wrote: “Jennifer takes the initiative to get things done in the office without being micromanaged. She is a quick learner and takes her job seriously. She performs her tasks with excellence and does so with a positive attitude. She assumes great responsibility for the work and takes a personal interest in making sure her information and duties are correct and complete.”

Other nominees included

Jonathan Butts, Rochester, a mechanical engineering technology major, who served as a tour guide and student host for the Admissions Office. He was nominated by Kandi Geibel, associate director of Admissions. Butts’ responsibilities included supervising the student caller and tour guide programs, providing campus tours, training new student ambassadors, contacting prospective students by phone, and assisting in the Admissions Office as needed.

Butts’ nomination noted that reliability is one of his key traits as he not only performs his assigned duties, but often volunteers additional tour hours when needed. Also, Geibel noted, Butts’ knowledge of Alfred State and his friendly disposition, make him an ideal tour guide.

Jim Palaszynski, Buffalo, a heavy equipment: truck and diesel technician major, worked in the ASC Fitness Center where he greeted customers, completed computer data entry, was responsible for opening and closing the facility, and keeping the equipment clean.

Palaszynski’s supervisor, Gene Doorley, manager, Fitness Center and volleyball coach, characterized him as not only reliable, but always ready to work beyond his assigned duties. He also noted that Palaszynski is a good manager of other student employees.

Will Hess, West Valley, a business administration major, nominated by his supervisor, Nikkie Hockenberry, ASC student activities assistant, served as an activities assistant, providing technical support during student events.

Hess was noted to be prepared and able to secure the necessary equipment for student clubs and their events.

Dennis Billings, Rexville, a business administration, baccalaureate-level major, works as a late night manager and house manager for Student Activities and was nominated by his supervisor Nikkie Hockenberry.

As house manager, Billings coordinates all late night events. The nomination characterized him as personable with a great sense of humor. It was noted that Billings was always “one step ahead” of the scheduled events, ensuring a smooth activity.

Emily Sprague, Pavilion, a forensic science technology major, who performed clerical duties in the Admissions Office, was nominated by Barbara Brockway, her supervisor.

Sprague was characterized as requiring minimal training before jumping into her duties. She was commended for her attention to detail and her commitment to the confidentiality clause those working in Admissions must commit to.

Issac McGee, Rochester, a business administration major, served as a late-night co-captain, managing late night events and a team of late night staff for Student Activities.

McGee was noted for his timeliness with paperwork and billing, handling a large student budget, as well as ordering materials for events. He was also credited for creating events during “slow” periods.

Andrea Goff, Arcade, a construction management engineering technology major, was also nominated by Hockenberry for her work as lead house manager in Orvis. Goff was cited for her dependability, initiative, and consistent quality work. In addition, Hockenberry noted that Goff has “an amazing attitude; she is outgoing and friendly, and speaks to all facets of student activities and orientation.”

Jadon Norton, Almond, a human services management major, worked as a lead activities assistant, coordinating the activities assistants and helping at campus events. Hockenberry noted that he was “essential to Family/Homecoming Weekend [2010].” She also noted that Norton boasts a “huge resume in Student Life, from orientation leader, house manager, activities assistant, Greek Life,” and a selection of other campus clubs.

Holly Jacobs, Dansville, a baccalaureate-level surveying engineering technology program major, was nominated by her supervisor, Hockenberry, for her work as an orientation coordinator and activities assistant. In this position, Jacobs assisted in taking the lead for hiring, training, planning, and implementing orientation activities and opening week activities. Hockenberry noted that Jacobs can be counted on for whatever needs to be done; she is a self-starter who looks beyond her assigned duties, possesses great organizational skills, exhibits an even-tempered disposition, and does exceptional work.

Nikki Giacco, Lansing, a liberal arts and sciences: social science major, worked as an office manager for Student Activities and Orientation, where she staffed the reception desk in Orvis Activities Center, assisted with campus posters (production and distribution), answered phones, and performed data entry, among other duties.

In addition to her work ethic and reliability, Hockenberry characterized Giacco as “delightful,” greeting everyone with a smile. “Nikki’s super personality coupled with involvement in Greek life and community service makes her an outstanding employee. She is helpful, friendly, and outgoing, the perfect combination for an office manager.”

Eileen Glaus, West Falls, a veterinary technology major, worked as a house manager and office assistant, staffing the reception desk in the Orvis Activities Center, and performing clerical duties.

Among her traits, in addition to dependability and initiative, Glaus’ nomination read, in part: “She was especially helpful to us for SkillsUSA, a day when we are busy directing students, answering questions, making copies, and sending and receiving faxes. Eileen was essential to the success of this day.”

Patrick Bark, Perry, a business administration major, also nominated by Hockenberry, served as an orientation coordinator, where he led the orientation team through training and summer orientation. In the nomination, Hockenberry noted that Bark planned and implemented a solid training schedule to prepare the orientation leaders for summer orientation sessions.

A reception honoring the nominees was held during the spring semester, where Alfred State College Vice President for Administration and Enrollment Valerie Nixon presented the awards.