Congratulations to Shine Award Recipients

From SU Student Employment & Career Engagement: 

We are pleased to announce the 2022 Shine Award winners, recognizing student employees, supervisors and on-campus employers. While we had over 75 exceptional nominees this year, the selected winners below stood out above the crowd.

Co-Student Employee of the Year

Charlotte Wood

• Student Assistant for Institute of Public Service (EVST, PUBA, MPA
• BABA in Business Management and Analytics

What her nominators said:

“Charlotte is eager to help, does terrific work, always goes above and beyond, and helps to create a stronger sense of community in our department. Charlotte was instrumental in creating content for our IPS fundraising efforts as part of SU Gives. She created visually appealing social media posts, was thoughtful in her designs, and ultimately helped us to expand our reach and raise more money than we had expected. Charlotte is a star!”

“She brought with her intelligence, integrity, thoughtfulness, a strong work ethic, enthusiasm and an eagerness and willingness to learn. She has honed those traits over the last three years and developed and expanded her repertoire of professional skills to our great benefit. Her work is consistently exceptional in all regards.”

Co-Student Employee of the Year

Taylor-Ann Miyashiro

• Student Campus Minister for Liturgy in Campus Ministry
• BS Electrical Engineering, Minor in Mathematics

What her nominators said:

“Taylor has excelled in sharing her organizational skills, such as taking on big projects like tracking our Chapel collections and record keeping for Chapel weddings, which have been invaluable to our work area’s operations, connection to charitable organizations, and hospitality. She also has gone above and beyond in sharing her creative gifts for community – e.g. when asked to make room tags for a retreat, Taylor designed, custom calligraphed, and laminated door decorations which retreatants loved and kept as souvenirs.”

“Above all the accomplishments on paper, Taylor brings a posture of reflection and care to her life which distinguishes her among her peers. She consistently has taken time to make retreats and seek out conversation partners in Campus Ministry staff as she strives to align her actions, values, and commitments. Through her time at SU Taylor has learned how to navigate challenge with grace, how to have hard conversations, how to set boundaries and ask for help.”

Student Employment Supervisor of the Year

Gregory Lechner, Facilities Operations, Maintenance Electrician

What his nominators said:

“He believes in empowering students through direct mentorship and hands-on engagement. For three years now, during the most tumultuous times that SU has ever seen, Greg has risen to the occasion and surpassed expectations of what was possible.”

“Gregory upholds the standards of excellence that SU has become known for. In the face of injustices and inequality for students of different backgrounds, he is supportive and protective. He has made a work and learning environment safer and more full of compassion. His humility and drive has made him a natural leader, it is an honor and genuine pleasure to work for Greg.”

Undergraduate Student Shine Award

Jaymark Abendanio

• Collegia Advisor for Student Success and Outreach
• Office Assistant for Office of Multicultural Affairs
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Psych minor

What his nominators said:

"Jaymark is a model Collegia Advisor and student leader who demonstrates care-based leadership… Jaymark is thoughtful, intentional, and creative with his ideas and execution of programming events... Jaymark's leadership will positively influence those he interacts with in the future, and his field - nursing - is lucky to have him!"

 "Jaymark brings hospitality, kindness, and hard work to make the OMA office and SU Food Pantry a welcoming and supportive place for all who visit. We are so grateful for his dedication and joyful spirit."

Graduate Student Shine Award

Bizzy Stephenson

• Assistant Area Coordinator for Housing and Residence Life
• Master of Education in Student Development Administration

What her nominators said:

“When it comes to care for the whole student, Bizzy has gone above and beyond. Whether it is advocating for students, supporting students during difficult times in their lives, or being a solid presence for her staff and students when we had the unfortunate student passing in the Murphy Apartments. Bizzy truly embodies the value of care for her team and students in Murphy and Chardin, and all residential students on campus.”

“Bizzy displays tremendous self-awareness and strong maturity. She lives in a manner, as a human, student, employee, and member of society as someone who takes to heart the opportunity to change lives for the better one at a time and to model justice and humane conditions for all.”

Best Place to Work on Campus

College of Arts and Sciences Advising Center

What their nominator's said:

“Through the turbulence of Covid-19 and it's subsequent regulation changes, ASAC continuously dedicates themselves to office safety and serving our community effectively.”

 “I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity that ASAC has given [student employees] to learn, grow professionally, and exemplify the most important aspects of our university mission: professional formation and empowering leaders for a more just and humane world.”