Student Employees, Supervisors Shine

Pictured: Denniesia Cameron Richards, left, presents M.B.A. student Adityabarna Banerjee with the 2023 Graduate Assistant of the Year award.

Every year, the second full week in April is designated by the National Student Employment Association as National Student Employment Week (NSEW). New York Tech is one of hundreds of universities across the country to participate in honoring the contributions of student employees and their supervisors who help make student employment programs a success.

NSEW kicked off on Monday, April 10, with a “Breakfast of Champions” on the New York City and Long Island campuses. Two days later, a professional development summit was held on each campus where students could learn valuable tips and information for putting their best foot forward with potential employers. Students learned how to craft the perfect elevator pitch, explored experiential education opportunities, and enjoyed prize giveaways and refreshments. On Friday, students in New York City and on Long Island raced around their campus as they competed in a selfie scavenger hunt.

On the New York City campus, Assistant Director of Student Employment Denniesia Cameron Richards presented this year’s NSEW winners with their awards during a Tuesday evening dinner. On Thursday, Richards traveled to Long Island for a celebratory luncheon for the award winners on that campus.

The NSEW planning committee selected students for their communication and teamwork skills, leadership qualities, and work ethic, among others. Honored students were also commended for the outstanding work they performed while managing their academics. Honored staff were thanked for all that they do to ensure a smooth operation of student employment.

Cybersecurity student Siddhant Bhandari is presented with the 2023 Office of Student Employment Student Employee of the Year award.

NSEW 2023 Award Winners

National Student Employee of the Year
Maite Naranjo Velastegui (majoring in interior design)

Supervisor of the Year
New York: Kelli-Ann Francis, student support specialist in the Office of Student Life
Long Island: Madeline Leonard, assistant director of the Office of Undergraduate Student Success and Advising

Office of Student Employment Employee of the Year
New York: Siddhant Bhandari (majoring in cybersecurity)
Long Island: Gabriel Santiago (majoring in architecture)

Graduate Assistant of the Year
New York: Fatema Dula (majoring in architecture)
Long Island: Adityabarna Banerjee (majoring in business administration)

Honorable Mention
New York: Stefanie Inoa (majoring in biotechnology); Micki Bradley, administrative assistant in the Office of Career Success and Experiential Education
Long Island: Kuntal Kanani (majoring in computer science); Summer Buffin, library assistant