Eighty invited guests—including student worker honorees, their supervisors and managers, and University leaders—attended the University’s fifth annual Students Honored in Employment (SHinE) awards luncheon and ceremony hosted by the Office of Human Resources on April 2. The event marks the culmination of an intensive nomination and selection process recognizing excellence in student employment.
The award luncheon is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of student workers, thank supervisors for playing an active role in their students’ career development, recognize semifinalists, and present the five top-performing students with their SHinE awards. Mary Cascio, Student Employment Manager, welcomed guests and Rev. Bernard M. Tracey, C.M., Executive Vice President for Mission, gave the blessing. Other guests in attendance included Simon G. Møller, Ph.D., Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Diana Morgan, Assistant Dean, College of Professional Studies; Yvonne Pratt-Johnson, Ed.D., Interim Dean, The School of Education; Kandy Rich, Associate Dean, St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and Jorge Rodriquez, Vice Provost and Chief Enrollment Officer.
This year, supervisors submitted 56 student worker nominations; they were evaluated and ranked against the SHinE committee guidelines and student worker core competencies by a broad-based and representative selection committee. Twenty-six nominations advanced to the semifinal review round, and five were selected for the SHinE award.
Cindy Wibisono, a 2018 SHinE award recipient, and Jason Nieves, who won the award in the program’s first year, presented the 21 semifinalists. Darren Russell, Student Employment Specialist, Office of Human Resources, honored the five student award recipients: Natisha Gangapersuad, a Biology major in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Jingxuan Guan, an Accounting major in The Peter J. Tobin College of Business; Daniella Malliae, an Adolescent Education/Literacy (5–12) major in The School of Education; Brandon March, a Criminal Justice major in the College of Professional Studies; and Hector Vera Zambrano, a Finance major in The Peter J. Tobin College of Business.
The students were presented with a plaque; a $500 recognition award; a personalized letter of congratulations from Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D., President; and hearty congratulations from Nada M. Llewellyn, Esq., Chief Diversity Officer, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, and Deputy General Counsel.
Ms. Llewellyn commended the 21 semifinalists and five award recipients for their outstanding work and excellence. She recognized the members of the selection committee and thanked them for volunteering. She also acknowledged the crucial role of supervisors and managers in the lives of St. John’s students, calling them “an important part of our promise to ensure student success.”
Maria Handler, Manager of Global Financial Affairs, Office of International Education, spoke to guests about the selection committee’s work, and also shared her perspective as a manager of student workers and as a member of this year’s selection committee. In addition to Ms. Handler, the 2019 committee included David Gachigo, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Staten Island Campus; Brian Hernandez, Graduate Assistant, Office of Business Affairs; Alexandra Marquez, Director, GEAR UP and NY GEAR UP programs; Somnath Pal, Ph.D., Professor, Pharmacy Administration and Public Health; and Ching-Wen Rosa Yen, Director, International Student Services and Office of Multicultural Affairs, and the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
Nominations for next year’s SHinE award will open in January 2020.
Click here to view this year's photo gallery.