Check out the ways student employees are recognized!
Award overview:
The Student Employee of the Month Award recognizes an outstanding student employee who has demonstrated exemplary performance, dedication, and impact during the month. The Student Employee should be an individual that:
- Consistently meets or exceeds goals & expectations
- Plans, initiates, manages, completes projects or tasks with excellence
- Demonstrates dependability, preparation, and consistency
- Serves as a role model to others
- Demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion
All award nominations will be reviewed by the awards committee and a winner will be determined. The winner will receive a $50 Chartwells gift card and a gift. Additionally, each monthly winner will be entered into the pool for the Student Employee of the Year award.
Nomination Process:
Students may be nominated by any member of the University of Arkansas faculty or staff. Nominations will open at the beginning of the month for the prior month and will be open for approximately a week. A nomination form will be sent out via email to all employers. Once nominations are closed, a committee will review the nominations and announce a winner.
Eligibility and Guidelines:
- All University of Arkansas faculty and staff can submit nominations.
- Nominations will not carry over from one month to the next. Month award winners will be placed in a pool to be considered for the Student of the Year Award.
- Student employee must have been working in their current department for at least 1 full semester.
- Student must be enrolled in an undergraduate program.
- Nominations submitted by staff/faculty based on observed achievements.
- Nominations will be reviewed by the Student Employment award committee.
- Eligible students must be in good standing with their employer with no disciplinary action against them at the time of the nomination.
March 2025 Student Employee of the Month: Austin Bounsavy
Job Title(s): Data Analyst Intern
Department(s): Offices of Career Connections – Engineering Career Connections
February 2025 Student Employee of the Month: Xavier Taylor Rouse
Job Title(s): Career Peer Mentor
Department(s): Offices of Career Connections – Career Studio
January 2025 Student Employee of the Month: Chase Barney
Job Title(s): UREC Sports Supervisor and UREC Sports Official
Department(s): UREC
December 2024 Student Employee of the Month: Riley Kelley
Job Title(s): Event Production Assistant
Department(s): Arkansas Union
November 2024 Student Employee of the Month: Joseph Bailey Rivers
Job Title(s): Call Center Agent
Department(s): Office of Financial Aid and Academic Scholarships
October 2024 Student Employee of the Month: Enrique (Cal) Nava-Robinson
Job Title(s): Project Manager Intern
Department(s): World Trade Center Arkansas (VCED)
September 2024 Student Employee of the Month: Abigail Masters
Job Title(s): COEHP Honors Peer Mentor & SSC Welcome Desk Support
Department(s): BCSS & GRRT
August 2024 Student Employee of the Month: Miles Nantze
Job Title(s): Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Department(s): Industrial Engineering
Award overview:
The Student Employee of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding student employee who has demonstrated exemplary performance, dedication, and impact over the course of the school year. The Student Employee should be an individual that:
- Consistently meets or exceeds goals & expectations
- Plans, initiates, manages, completes projects or tasks with excellence
- Demonstrates dependability, preparation, and consistency
- Serves as a role model to others
- Demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusio
All award nominations will be reviewed by the awards committee and a winner will be determined.
Nomination Process:
Students who won the Student Employee of the Month award will make up the pool of individuals to be considered automatically for the Student Employee of the Year award. There will not be a separate nomination process for this award.
Eligibility and Guidelines:
- Student employee must have been a prior winner of the Student Employee of the Month Award.
- Student employee will be evaluated for the award based on their prior Student Employee of the Month nomination.
- Student employee must have been working in their current department for at least 1 full semester.
- Student must be enrolled in an undergraduate program.
- Nominations will be reviewed by the Student Employment award committee.
- Students must be in good standing with their employer with no disciplinary action against them at the time of the nomination.
2024 – 2025 UARK Student Employee of the Year: Enrique (Cal) Nava-Robinson
Job Title(s): Project Manager Intern
Department(s): World Trade Center Arkansas (VCED)
Cal is a Project Manager Intern at the World Trade Center Arkansas. In his role, Cal has consistently shared ideas, offered suggestions to improve processes, and identified new technologies to streamline workflows. Some of his main accomplishments while in this position include, but are not limited to:
- Redesigned the website framework and visual layout
- Developed marketing strategy materials; produced and edited video content
- Led the update of the WTC export directory, collaborating with the Secretary of State, and supported the creation of letters and narratives for companies participating in campaigns.
- Collaborated with the Senator's office to coordinate, edit, and publish a marketing video for the World Trade Center.
2024 – 2025 Student Affairs Student Employee of the Year: Austin Bounsavy
Job Title(s): Data Analyst Intern
Department(s): Offices of Career Connections – Engineering Career Connections
n his role, Austin has worked with the Engineering Career Connections team to refine and enhance the data storage process for internship and research data. In doing this, he has taken on many responsibilities, been involved in key planning meetings, and suggested many highly influential recommendations, all while displaying an exceptional level of professionalism. Beyond his technical skills, Austin’s empathy, kindness, and generosity create a positive, uplifting environment for everyone around him. Austin embodies the spirit and dedication of an exceptional student employee. His significant contributions and care for others have greatly benefited his department and the student experience at UARK.
2024 Student Affairs Student Employee of the Year: Riley Atkinson
Job Title(s): Manager of Main Hill Magazine
Department(s): Student Media
In her role as Main Hill Magazine manager, Riley oversaw a team of 10 and a volunteer group of over 200 students. Under her leadership, Main Hill Magazine has achieved remarkable milestones:
- Surpassed $30,000 in revenue
- Garnered national awards and recognition
- Attracted new clients with her innovative Synergy Summit Program
Riley embodied the spirit and dedication of an exceptional student employee. Her hard work and significant contributions have greatly benefited her department and the student experience at UARK.