Student Employee of the Year Announced

Elizabeth Harkenrider, Rexville, a nursing major at Alfred State College, has been named the 2007-08 Alfred State College Student Employee of the Year.   Elizabeth works in the Financial Aid Office and was nominated by her supervisor, Deborah Neu, secretary for Financial Aid. 

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

In the nomination for the award, Harkenrider was characterized as a reliable worker with a well-developed work ethic.  She is a self-starter who has worked in the Financial Aid Office for the past two years, and uses that familiarity to recognize what needs to be done and does it without fanfare or prompting.  Additionally, it was noted that Harkenrider serves as a peer assistant, helping students and their families traverse the electronic processes involved in applying for financial assistance.  More than all her professional skills, however, Neu noted that Harkenrider is prized for her wonderful personality.

Harkenrider's nomination has been forwarded to the Northeast Association of Student Employment Administrators for consideration at the regional level for the Northeast Student Employee of the Year.

Other nominees included Michael Howard, Hornell, a graduating senior in the baccalaureate-level mechanical engineering technology program, who is employed in the Transfer Office of Enrollment Services.  He was nominated by his supervisor, Jason White, transfer coordinator.

In his nomination of Howard, White noted that he is a reliable worker who pays attention to details-a vital asset when helping with student transcripts.  White also noted that Howard is a self-starter who maintains a cheerful disposition, making him not only a valued member of the office, but a pleasure to have around.

Crystal Medina, Bronx, employed by Health Services, was nominated by her supervisor, Judi Grant, director, Health Services. A senior in ASC's baccalaureate-level architectural technology program, Medina has served in Health Services for the past four years where she spends the majority of her time on computer issues, including teaching the regular staffers how to use them more efficiently.  She is a trusted employee who maintains patient confidentiality and who deals with patients professionally when she greets them at the window.  It was also noted that Medina has an infectious giggle and a pleasant personality.

Callin Ayers, Pike, a technology management major, was nominated by Kandi Geibel, assistant director of Admissions, where Ayers works as a student ambassador, which entails also serving as a tour guide and student caller. In the office, Ayers' work ethic is in evidence as she answers the phone, files applications, works on projects as directed by the admissions counselors, and looks to help out in any other ways she can.  She is crucial to the recruitment process in her role as student ambassador, notes Geibel. 

Jamie Woods, Canisteo, a senior in the associate-degree-level architectural engineering technology program, was nominated by Carol Melnyk, secretary to the dean of the School of Management and Engineering Technology, where Woods performed a variety of clerical duties, including keyboarding, photocopying, recordkeeping, running errands, and executing special projects.  It was noted that Woods is a dependable, honest, and hard-working individual who requires little supervision in the performance of her duties.  She pays close attention to detail, ensuring that her work is accurate.  Additionally, besides maintaining good grades, Woods is always pleasant to work with.

Stefanie Van Wie, Baldwinsville, a financial planning major, was nominated by Paul Hinman, director, Alumni Affairs and Annual Giving, a part of the Institutional Advancement Office at the college.  Van Wie's responsibilities included coordinating and creating written reports of all Phonathon pledges and monitoring caller attendance and effectiveness.  It was noted in the nomination that Van Wie conducted herself in an eminently professional manner in fulfilling her responsibilities.  Additionally, Van Wie created an easy and flexible accounting system, adaptable for future phonathons.  She was characterized as creative, punctual, and dependable with a strong work ethic.

A reception honoring the nominees was held during the spring semester, where Valerie B. Nixon, vice president, Marketing and Enrollment Management, presented certificates to the students.