2023-24 National Student Employment Week Award Winners Announced

Every April, Syracuse University Student Employment (’Cuse Works) celebrates and honors the University’s student employees and their supervisors during National Student Employment Week. They do this in part by presenting students and staff with the Undergraduate Student of the Year Award, Graduate Student Employee of the Year Award, Supervisor of the Year Award and Department of the Year Award.

’Cuse Works encouraged campus community members to nominate student employees and supervisors that have improved the student experience through their hard work and dedication throughout the 2023-24 academic year. This year, 65 students and nearly 20 supervisors were nominated for awards. All nominees are reviewed and winners are selected by the Student Employment Recognition Committee.

Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year: Jovanni Mosca ’24, Student Engagement

Nominated by members of Student Engagement, Mosca is described as one of the most dedicated and driven employees the team has ever worked with. He radiates an infectiously positive and good-hearted energy that brightens up the entire office, even in the face of obstacles and challenges, and he always takes the time to train any person interested in technical event skills, regardless of their skill level.

In his role as a student lead, Mosca directly mentors about 20 student staff members and ensures they are having a worthwhile experience while employed with the Event and Technical Services (ETS) team in Student Engagement.

In addition to his managerial duties, Jovanni has developed many new and innovative ideas to simplify ETS processes and educate organizations that use their services, as well as helped produce a number of big events in support of student organizations and departments on campus. He is continuously complimented by event sponsors, artists and visiting technicians for his technical knowledge, professionalism and overall attitude.

Graduate Student Employee of the Year: Shivani Sadare G’24

Sadare was nominated by two different campus departments for her work with them: the Center for International Services and Syracuse University Libraries. As the English Conversation Group coordinator for the Center for International Services, Sadare impressed the staff with her data and analytical skills as well as her communication skills. Even when faced with the challenges of juggling over 100 group participants’ schedules, she is able to take everything in stride with a smile on her face.

The Syracuse University Libraries echoed the same sentiments in Sadare’s role on their team as a graduate assistant, and added that she is reliable, responsive, produces quality work and provides great insight into the student experience, especially the international student experience, and how it relates to work done in the campus libraries. Sadare always contributes to meetings and provides a level of professionalism that impresses the team.

Supervisor of the Year: Jeremy Pope, Bird Library Access Services

Nominated by numerous student employees, Pope is skilled at fostering a sense of community between all employees. He is consistently friendly and personable with employees and library patrons alike, setting a great working example through each interaction he has with others. In his position, Pope oversees undergraduate and graduate student employees as well as library staff and, as of January, has been completing the work of two supervisors until the second supervisor role can be filled.

While working to coordinate three distinct groups of people—staff, graduate student, and undergraduates—is occasionally challenging, Pope treats everyone with respect and empathy. He encourages his entire team to make connections and channel their individual skills and experiences into improving library services and welcoming all members of the University community.

Department of the Year: Barnes Center at The Arch Recreation

Under the direction of Matthew Hackett, the Barnes Center at The Arch’s Recreation team is one of the largest student employers on campus, hiring hundreds of students to work in a variety of roles, including lifeguards, fitness attendants, referees, challenge course facilitators and guest services attendants.

Barnes Center Recreation provides valuable wellness services to faculty, staff and students every day, seven days a week, and their student employees learn professional skills that will be invaluable in their future professional endeavors, such as leadership, service and teamwork.