Hosted by Kameryn Taylor, assistant director of Career Services for student employment, the event was kicked off by Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence, who spoke about his formative experience with a supervisor during his undergraduate years. His supervisor became a mentor, and through her, Vice President Williams learned to communicate professionally with faculty, manage his time effectively, and accomplish goals, even when others didn’t believe in him.

Throughout the event, senior student employees reflected on their experiences with their supervisors and had the opportunity to share the influence these mentors had on their time at Elon. Some students invited multiple supervisors, explaining how each helped them better understand their personal goals for life and work after graduation. One student shared her appreciation for the ways her supervisors supported her post-graduate plans by writing recommendation letters for law school and celebrating with her when she was accepted.

Additionally, many supervisors were nominated for the Excellence in Student Supervision Award, given to faculty or staff recognized as outstanding mentors and leaders. This year’s recipients of the Excellence in Student Supervision Award included Dan Reis, assistant director of Creative Learning Technologies, Julie Prouty, lead for Technology Checkout Operations and Dallas Smith, Event Support Specialist. Student nominators shared numerous comments about the positive impact of their supervisors, highlighting their community-building skills and their willingness to support student ambitions.

Whether formally recognized or not, each supervisor has undoubtedly impacted their students’ lives, providing a constant and steadfast support system.

Started by Rene Jackson, former PACE director and the Student Professional Development Center career advisor) over a decade ago, senior student employees take turns sharing reflections on their journey and the impact their supervisor has had on their experience.

Supervisors of student employees wear many hats. They guide, encourage and challenge students to grow professionally and personally, all while managing a wide range of responsibilities within their departments. Their influence often extends far beyond the workplace, leaving a lasting impact on students’ lives.

Excellence in Student Supervision Award

This year’s dinner introduced the inaugural Excellence in Student Supervision Award, honoring supervisors nominated by student employees for exceptional mentorship and leadership.

Nominated by student employees and selected by a committee of campus staff/faculty members, this award recognizes outstanding supervisors who go above and beyond in their mentorship and leadership.

The first recipients of the award include Nicole Bergen, the program assistant for the Kernodle Center for Civic Life; Jeana Schickedantz, program assistant in the English Department and Justin Nichols, Microsoft power platform developer.

Their student nominators shared messages about the impact of these staff members:

• “I leave work every day feeling like I’ve learned something new.”

• “Her presence in my life throughout my college career has been invaluable and a mentorship I will take with me for the rest of my life.”
• “She is instrumental in breaking down barriers… a tremendous leader of her students.”