Student Employee of the Year
2025 National Student Employee Appreciation Week
In honor of the 2025 National Student Employee Appreciation Week, the University of Northern Iowa proudly recognizes the outstanding contributions of more than 2,500 student employees. Throughout the week, individual offices across campus will celebrate the dedication, hard work, and impact of their student staff. The highlight of the week will take place on Wednesday with the Student Employee of the Year Celebration (invite only), where exceptional individuals will be recognized and this year’s finalists will be announced.
Nominations & Award Recipients
- 2025 | Qunyci Swales, Recreation Services
- David Andrews, Recreation Services
- Samaria Barnes, Human Resource Services
- Annalee Bartels, Recreation Services
- Lukas Bender, IT-Client Services
- Dawson Bergmann, UNI Foundation
- Caleb Borwig, Facilities Management
- Lauren Bussanmas, Curriculum and Instruction
- Erica Butler, Office of the Registrar
- Mikayla Capman, Communication And Media
- Katie Carney, Recreation Services
- Eric Chen, Theatre
- Kayla Dautremont, UNI Foundation
- Jenna Diprima, Recreation Services
- Madison Duong, Student Success & Retention
- Mari Fox, Panther Pantry
- Alyssa Gauss, UNI Child Development Center
- Grace Gerleman, Applied Engineering & Mgmt
- Paige German, Iowa Waste Reduction Center
- Daria Gramotieieva, International Engagement
- Megan Griffith, Online Education & Individual Studies
- Haley Hamm, JPEC
- Carter Hanson, Recreation Services
- Jacqueline Heggen, Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Samantha Herman, Civil Rights Compliance
- Paige Hibbs, UNI Child Development Center
- Anthony Houser, Athletic equipment
- Marisa Jepsen, Admissions
- Izzy Jorgenson, Human Resource Services
- Will Krueger, Student Success & Retention
- Paige Layman, CSD
- Maura Levi, Financial Aid & Scholarships
- Declan McCarthy, Recreation Services
- Emily McNamara, Recreation Services
- Emily Meth, Admissions
- Alondra Morteo-Valenzuela, Career Services
- Payton Nuehring, Admissions
- Reese Ohde, Recreation Services
- Regan Pals, Office for Professional Distinction
- Emily Reeser, GBPAC
- Charlie Rogers, Recreation Services
- Bridget Schares, Human Resource Services
- Will Soesbe, Financial Aid & Scholarships
- Sarah Stegge, Admissions
- Maddie Stepanek, Student Success & Retention
- Quynci Swales, Recreation Services
- Sydney Tucker, IT-Client Services
- Jaylin Vander Wiel, UNI Museum
Olivia Wenger, Financial Aid & Scholarships
Bold = Finalist
- 2024 | Sam Zimmerman, Study Abroad Center
- Dominick Olhava, Student Success & Retention
- Maggie Glenn, UNI Museum
- Marina Avdonina, IT-AIS
- Samaria Barnes, Human Resource Services
- Annalee Bartels, Recreation Services
- Emerson Benson, Recreation Services
- Emma Bopp, Facilities Management
- Noah Burns, Recreation Services
- Allie Clark, Piazza
- Keeley Downey, Office of the Registrar
- Kylie Dreckman, Human Resource Services
- Gavin Dupuy, Student Success & Retention
- Lauren Geerling, School of Music
- Haley Hamm, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
- Megan Hansen, Student Involvement & Event Services
- Carter Hanson, Recreation Services
- Shekynah Haworth, IT-Client Services
- Jenna Heinen, Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Kristin Hoey, Recreation Services
- Marisa Jepsen, Office of Admissions
- Izzy Jorgensen, Human Resource Services
- Averee Kasik, Office of the Registrar
- Kayla Kellogg, Student Wellness Services
- Natalie Kelzer, IT - Client Services
- Morgan Kielly, UNI CUE - Educational Talent Search CR
- Hope Knoerle, UNI Athletics Ticket Office
- Lauren Kraemer, Communication Sciences & Disorders
- Jacob Kurt, Rec Services
- Amber Latteyer, Office of Business Operations
- Megan Lemke, COE Advising
- Monica Lewandoski, Social Work
- Kieran Luedke, Center for Social & Behavioral Research
- Caroline McReynolds, Public Safety
- Norah Oltragge, Student Involvement & Event Services
- Sydney Peterson, Human Resource Services
- Hannah Pietila, Piazza - Housing and Dining
- Emily Reeser, Gallagher Bluedorn
- Brody Rowedder, Recreation Services
- Lindsey Thuente, Piazza
- Bayley Tucker, IT Client Services
- Sydney Tucker, IT Client Services
- Isaac Vaske, Recreation Services
- Elliott Waller, Center for Social & Behavioral Research
- Olivia Wenger, Financial Aid
- Aubrey Williamson, School of Music
- Abby Wirtz, Library Services Desk
- Norah Yoder, Student Life
- Sam Zimmerman, Study Abroad Center
- 2023 | Emma Mock, UNI Foundation
- Claire Bennett, RRTTC
- Emerson Benson, Recreation Services
- Carter Briggs, Marketing & Entrepreneurship
- Noah Burns, Recreation Services
- Jordan Burrows, Iowa Waste Reduction Center
- Yin-Long Chou (Umas Nangavulan), Office of Admissions
- Kaitlyn Clark, RRTTC
- Haley Cummings, Admissions
- Kylie Dreckman, Human Resource Services
- Allison Ernst, Curriculum & Instruction
- Julia Fritz, Admissions
- Jacqueline Heggen, University Housing & Dining
- Jason Herold, UNI-Dome Operations
- Kristin Hoey, Recreation Services
- Alex Holland, IT-Client Services (COE Division)
- Alex Johnson, RRTTC
- Alex Knockel, RRTTC
- Madison Kraemer, CBB - Ofc for Professional Distinction
- Kerrigan Levi, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Emma Mock, UNI Foundation
- Morgan Moeller, Gallagher Bluedorn
- Allie Moeller, Rod Library
- Brianna Nash, EOP/SCS Upward Bound
- Emily Paul, School of Music
- CJ Polkinghorn, University Relations
- Makayla Rasmussen, School of Music
- Amy Rathmacher, Office for Professional Distinction
- Anna Stevens, Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice
- Anne Marie Tate, School of Music
- Archer Trip, Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice
- Isaac Vaske, Recreation Services
- Taylor Waller, Child Development Center
- Sydney Welte, Recreation Services
- Conrad Werth, Recreation Services
- Keaton Wessel, Jacobson Ctr for Comp. Literacy
- Allison White, Office of the Registrar
- Sierra Wiebensohn, Comm. Sciences and Disorders
- 2022 | Justin Kent, Athletics
- Drew Abrams, Recreation Services
- Kaylee Cerwinske-Hansen, Office of Admissions
- Emily Colwell, Business Operations
- Ally Davis, UNI Foundation
- Jacob Degroat, Recreation Services
- Bailey Fah, University Relations
- Jason Herold, Athletics
- Gisselle Herrera, Office of Admissions
- Jalen Hildebrand, Political Science
- Courtney Johnson, Recreation Services
- Ashton Kapelanski, IT-Client Services
- Justin Kent, Athletics Athletic Business Office
- Cassidy Leadley, UNI Foundation
- Taya Love, Recreation Services
- Henry Luker, IT Client Services/Library
- Jevin Mandershied, Athletics
- Eric Melrose, University Relations
- Haley Olswold, Dining-Fresh Beginnings
- Emily Schmidt, Gallagher Bluedorn/CHAS
- Abraham (Abe) Schmitt, Fresh Beginnings
- Maycie Stanbro, Recreation Services
- Abbygail Steadham, IT - Client Services
- Keaton Wessel, Richard O. Jacobson Ctr for Literacy
- Austin Wood, Military & Veteran Student Services
- Krista Zimmer, Student Wellness Services
- Noah Zuercher, AETM
- 2021 | Yadira Guzman, Admissions
- Greta Albaugh, UNItix
- Jasmine Aquino, GBPAC
- Mallory Behrens, Academic Advising
- Natalie Bohnsack, Dept of Residence
- Cody Boozell, Undergraduate Studies
- Nicholas Chell, Student Affairs
- Shannon Cross, Communication & Media
- Leah Doyle, CEEE
- Mae Felton, UNI Foundation
- Isaiah Finan, Dept. of Residence
- Thomas Griffin, Information Technology
- Yadira Guzman, Admissions
- Grace Hartnett, JPEC
- Logan Hoile, Rec Services
- Tyler Hospodarsky, Registrar
- Thayne Lamb, GBPAC
- Billy Lange, Earth & Environmental Sciences
- Jevin Manderscheid, Athletics
- Amber Mast, UNI CIEP
- Frani McDermott, Career Services
- Katherine McGrane, Rec Services
- Maddy Milks, Student Life
- Austin Monahan, Continuing Ed
- Madison Motz, IT Client Services
- Emily Neumann, Financial Aid
- Emma Reid, Alumni Relations
- Tabitha Robinson, IT
- Isaac Royer, GBPAC
- Hallie Speed, Student Accessibility Services
- Eboni Springfield, Student Success
- Maycie Stanbro, GBPAC
- Maddie Szczerba, Business & Community
- Aweke Tadesse, Social Work
- 2020 | Mustafa Akbar, Rod Library
- Mustafa Akbar, Rod Library
- Carly Arnold, Career Services
- Shelby Axtell, Child Development Center
- Alex Bass, Continuing & Distance Education
- Luke Beal, IT-Client Services
- Lindsey Buzynski, UNI Admissions
- Laura Campbell, Curriculum & Instruction
- Nicholas Chell, Recreation Services
- Chase Collins, UNI Admissions
- Forrest Cronin, Recreation Services
- Riley Dempsey, History
- Shelby Frederick, Career Services
- Cassidy Hanson, Recreation Services
- Logan Hoile, Recreation Services
- Kayla Hollis, Recreation Services
- Sydney Hughes, IT-Client Services
- Keeghan Hutchinson, UNI Admissions
- Maya Jess, UNI Admissions
- Molly Keyes, UNI Admissions
- Timarie Lafoy, School of Music
- Ashley Lang, College of Business
- Jacob Manderscheid, UNI Athletics Facilities
- Maggie Mathiasen, Office of the Registrar
- Frani McDermott, Career Services
- Benjamin Milijkovic, IT-Client Services
- Maddy Milks, Office of Student Life
- Molly Mingus, Department of Residence
- Jack Murphy, Financial Aid & Scholarships
- Carly Nielsen, Compliance & Equity
- Sydney Ohrt, Panther Village
- Lydia Pakala, Rod Library
- Tabby Robinson, IT-Client Services
- Hannah Smith, GBPAC
- Hallie Speed, Student Accessibility Services
- Abby Steadham, IT-Client Services
- Abby Steill, Office of Student Affairs
- Aminata Traore, College fo Business
- Brookelyn Wahlert, Continuing & Distance
- Jessica Welter, Classic Upward Bound
- Luke Wingert, UNI Admissions
- Pui Yann Sun, UNI Admissions
- 2019 | Kate Mulder, History
- George Ahrenholz, Student Wellness Services
- Emma Alman, Student Wellness Services
- Sharla Brunsvold, Student Life & Events
- Hailey Buzynski, Admissions
- Bryce Cox, Student Health Clinic
- Alissa Eaton, Dept. of Residence
- Alexis Eick, Student Accessibility Services
- Courtney Fiechtner, The Learning Center
- Kyla Ford, Center for Multicultural Education
- Haley Gehlsen, IT-Client Services
- Nick Grober, UNI Bookstore
- Dan Happel, Registrar
- Logan Hoile, Recreation Services
- Zainab Illo, Center for Multicultural Education
- Nick Kayser, Financial Aid
- Jeanette Kempe, DOR - Dining
- McKayla Klostermann, Financial Aid
- Laura Love, Admissions
- Neana Malow, Rod Library
- Molly Mathes, Child Development Center
- Sabrina Menke, Admissions
- Kate Mulder, History
- Courtney Ralfs, IT-Client Services
- Mandy Rawson, Admissions
- Orion Risk, GBPAC
- Nick Sandford, IT-Client Services
- Devin Schupp, GBPAC
- Kate Sinnott, Tallgrass Prairie Center
- Hannah Smith, GBPAC
- Abby Steill, Student Affairs Office
- Megan Steim, Admissions
- Trevor Wangsness, Financial Aid
- Accordion title
- George Ahrenholz, Student Wellness Services
- Emma Alman, Student Wellness Services
- Sharla Brunsvold, Student Life & Events
- Hailey Buzynski, Admissions
- Bryce Cox, Student Health Clinic
- Alissa Eaton, Dept. of Residence
- Alexis Eick, Student Accessibility Services
- Courtney Fiechtner, The Learning Center
- Kyla Ford, Center for Multicultural Education
- Haley Gehlsen, IT-Client Services
- Nick Grober, UNI Bookstore
- Dan Happel, Registrar
- Logan Hoile, Recreation Services
- Zainab Illo, Center for Multicultural Education
- Nick Kayser, Financial Aid
- Jeanette Kempe, DOR - Dining
- McKayla Klostermann, Financial Aid
- Laura Love, Admissions
- Neana Malow, Rod Library
- Molly Mathes, Child Development Center
- Sabrina Menke, Admissions
- Kate Mulder, History
- Courtney Ralfs, IT-Client Services
- Mandy Rawson, Admissions
- Orion Risk, GBPAC
- Nick Sandford, IT-Client Services
- Devin Schupp, GBPAC
- Kate Sinnott, Tallgrass Prairie Center
- Hannah Smith, GBPAC
- Abby Steill, Student Affairs Office
- Megan Steim, Admissions
- Trevor Wangsness, Financial Aid
- 2018 | Bridget Tharp, UNI-CUE
- Lydia Allen, Financial Aid & Scholarships
- Daniel Alonso, Information Technology
- Maranda Bear, Financial Aid & Scholarships
- Emily Brandt, Student Success & Retention
- Jen Brown, GBPAC
- Eugene Cheok, GBPAC
- Rachael Fix, Rod Library
- Christine Haag, Academic Advising
- Ethan Harvey, Recreation Services
- Hannah Herington, Office of Admissions
- Emily Huntington, Department of Residence
- Kate Kolsrud, Compliance & Equity Mgmt.
- Rachel Larsen, Admissions
- Amber Lawrence, Mathematics
- Paige Licht, UNI Health Clinic
- Erica Lockin, Office of the Registrar
- Melanie Majeed, Multicultural Education
- Zachary Martins, Recreation Services
- Maddy Miller, Financial Aid
- Bailey Miller, UNI Police Department
- Megan Nissen, Academic Advising
- Sarah Pate, Information Technology
- Kaitlin Pranger, Child Development Center
- Alexis Scharfenkamp, Career Services
- Breezy Scobee, Business Operations
- Jazmine Shonka , Mail Center
- Breanna Smith, Teacher Education
- Matthew Stein, Science Education
- Bridget Tharp, UNI-CUE
- Taylor Trimble, Recreation Services
- Tommy Truelsen, School of Music
- Aaron Van Maanen, Admissions
- Mary Elizabeth Walsh, Child Development Ctr.
- Eric Weinberg, Information Technology
- Annie Wilson, Admissions
- Logan Winford, Earth & Environmental Sci.
- 2017 | Casey Hoekstra, Academic Learning Center
- Lindsey Anderson, Student Life
- Lydia Anderson, Information Technology
- Anna Backstrom, Center for Teaching Math
- Olivia Ballhagen, Office of Admissions
- Lauren Bever, Professional Readiness Program
- Keely Brandstad, Office of Admissions
- Rachel Bruns, Recycling & Reuse Tech Ctr.
- Jordan Brunsma, GBPAC
- Jozelyna Calderon, Student Health Clinic
- Zach Chaplin, GBPAC
- Eugene Cheok, GBPAC
- Nick Fisher, Communications
- Kenzie Flaherty, Instructional Support Services
- Nathan Friederich, Office of the Registrar
- Bailey Higgins, Residence and IT
- Casey Hoekstra, Academic Learning Ctr.
- Cecelia Hotzler, CHAS/GBPAC
- Anna Hunt, Career Services
- Meghan Jansen, CBA-PRP
- Rylan Johnson, Office of Financial Aid
- Karen Kiesel, Office of Business Operations
- Jon Klein, Division of LYHS
- Samantha Klein, IT-Client Services
- Elena Mary Kraus-Taddeo, ETS & Media Srvs.
- Katelyn Kuch, Human Resource Services
- MJ Lashbrook, Biology
- Zachariah Lillquist, Office of the Registrar
- Brayden Longnecker, Student Abroad Center
- Molly McCarty, Student Disability Services
- Vanessa Nolan, Business Operations
- Allan Nyhus, Professional Readiness Program
- Diksha Ojha, International Students
- Sarah Pate, IT-Client Services
- Abbigayl Provost, Human Resource Services
- Sarah Rudy, Orientation/New Student Programs
- Jaimie Thier, Office of Financial Aid
- Hayley Till, Culture & Intensive English Program
- Tommy Truelsen, School of Music
- Sushil Tuladhar, Earth & Environmental Sci.
- Kadesha Zimmerman, VP for Student Affairs
- 2016 | Kayla Peterson, Wellness & Recreation Services
- Alyssa Adamec, School fo Music
- Anna Backstrom, Teaching & Learning Math
- Madison Beeler, Earth Science
- Josiah Bottelman, Iowa Waste Reduction Center
- Katie Bruening, Compliance & Equity Mgmt
- Courtney Clark, College of Business
- Andrew Crawford, UNI Athletics
- Lisa Daringer, Student Health Clinic
- Myle Duong, Rod Library
- Chris Dummer, ITS- User Services
- Megan Frerk, Admissions
- Hanna Kerr, Graduate College
- Tony Ketelaar, Admissions
- Kylie Knecht, Admissions
- Priyasha Mahara, Ctr for Multicultural Ed
- Cody McLees, University Advancement
- Madalynn Meier, Languages & Literatures
- Faith Neuwohner, Student Health Clinic
- Hannah Peterson, Deans Office, COE
- Kayla Peterson, Wellness Services
- Bernard Pollmeier, Dept. of Residence
- MaJo Rosada Cupul, Int'l Student Services
- Jonathan Schlicht, ITS- User Services
- Sydney Speide, ITS- User Services
- Kelli Theilen, Student Disability Services
- Kaylee Tritle, Teaching & Learning Math
- Lauren Welser, Academic Learning Center
- 2015 | Austin Hansen, UNI Athletics
- Elizabeth Adcox, Academic Advising
- Joslyn Aldape, Admissions
- Nathaniel Beyerink, International Programs
- Katie Blake, COE Advising
- Avary Bradford, Dean of Students
- Jordan Brelje, Admissions
- Kristin Buldhaupt, Int'l Student & Scholars
- Claire Conrad, Admissions
- Ashley Cottier, ITS- User Services
- Jessica Dearden, Rialto
- Kelsey Ewald, VP for Admin & Finance
- Breanna Flater, Academic Learning Ctr
- Meredith Gregg, WRS- Aquatics
- Janessa Hageman, McNair Scholars Program
- Austin Hansen, UNI Athletics
- Miranda Hansen, HR Services
- Diann Herington, Admissions
- Shelby Huster, Int'l Students & Scholars
- Ryan Kramer, UNI Athletics
- Rachel Kuhn, UNI-CUE
- Blake Larson, ITS- Computer Consulting
- Janelle Martin, Study Abroad
- Cody McLees, UNI Foundation
- Amanda Mcnamara, UNI Athletics
- Natalie Miller, Student Health Clinic
- Emma Owenson, Curriculum & Instruction
- Lillian Poe, Maucker Union
- Hailey Rhum, Maucker Union
- Frank Romanazzi, HPELS
- Jonathan Schlicht, ITS- User Services
- Colleen Sullivan, Business Operations
- Robin Summers, Women's & Gender Studies
- Michelle Temeyer, Marketing
- Drake Tesdall, Financial Aid
- Jesse Todd, Academic Learning Center
- Kaylee Tritle, Teaching & Learning Math
- Haleigh Weatherly, CIEP
- Jacob Weiss, Iowa Waste Reduction
- 2014 | Meghan Opolka, CHAS
- Paul Andersen, Financial Aid
- Brooke Argotsinger, Ctr for Math
- Samm Bass, Dept. of Residence
- Kimber Bell, Camp Adventure
- Lynette Bordignon, Career Services
- Hailee Bossard, Athletics
- Edward Broderick, Institutional Research
- Kristen Buldhaupt, Int'l Students
- Eric Carlson, Financial Aid
- Sarah Crim, Financial Aid
- Alex Deisbeck, Athletics Advising
- Osvaldo DeLosRios, Dept. of Residence
- Luke Gordon, WRS
- Kayla Gump, Economics
- Austin Hansen, UNI Athletics
- Annie Jones, Human Sciences
- Wes Jones, Dept. of Residence
- Alison LaRoza, Camp Adventure
- Kari Lien, Human Resource Services
- Alexander McDaniel, Physics
- Bridget Nulty, Int'l Students
- Meghan Opolka, CHAS
- Ethan Pelton, Environmental Health
- Olivia Randolph, CIEP
- Matt Reitz, Career Services
- Sara Rockow, Admissions
- Steven Sanchez, University Relations
- Kayla Shipman, Prexy's/Chats
- Jaime Sterling, Financial Aid
- Nicole Stone, Childhood Development
- Ramya Varadaraju, Dept. of Residence
- Anna Werner, Ctr for Multicultural Education
- Megan Wheeler, Registrar