Winners for 2025-2026 Supervisor of the Year
Rick Parris
Stav Dining Manager
Bon Appetit
Why were they nominated?
“Working at Stav is a commitment–you have to stand there for long hours and constantly move your body. [Rick’s] small greetings always gave us great motivation to work. I have learned to be compassionate, kind, calm in hectic situations, and friendly from him.”
Tara HuptoN
Assistant Director of Academic Support –
SOAR, Tutoring, and Student Success
Academic Success Center
Why were they nominated?
“Tara always makes sure to meaningfully listen to the feedback and insights that my fellow Mentors and I provide, and I can tell she genuinely cares about what we have to say. She treats us like colleagues and gives us a genuine stake in the SOAR program, which has made me feel more respected as part of a team than I ever have in any other setting.”
Mary doroff
Assistant Director of Academic Support –
Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring
Academic Success Center
Why were they nominated?
“I am nominating Mary Doroff because she works endlessly to better the success of Oles while seeing the tutors and SI leaders as more than just employees….All in all, Mary is a supervisor worthy of this award because of her great organizational and problem-solving skills, on top of her dedication to allowing Oles succeed academically and caring for her employees.”
Lukas John Wymer
Associate Director of Student Activities
for Programmatic Initiatives
Office of Student Activities
Why were they nominated?
“I am nominating Lukas Wymer for the Supervisor of the Year award as thanks for his immense and ongoing contributions to developing student leadership skills and cultivating campus community through social programming. Lukas supports [us] by prioritizing student-employee wellbeing, providing student-workers with agency in their roles, and maintaining his responsibilities while increasing the number of student-employees under his supervisory umbrella from less than 20 to over 100.”
Nominees for 2025-2026 Student Employee of the Year in Leadership
Tashani Williams ’26
Writing Tutor and Lead Tutor
Academic Success Center Writing Desk
Nomination: Leadership Award
Nominator: Bridget Draxler
Why do they excel at this job?
Tashani stands out for her commitment to promoting collaboration between the Writing Desk and the science departments. She has created targeted advertisements for science majors, trained writing tutors in ways to tutor scientific writing, and hosted personal statement workshops for students applying to graduate school in the sciences. Tashani has also led efforts to train her fellow tutors in inclusive tutoring practices, such as Critical Language Awareness, a line of research in composition studies that focuses on language prejudice and language justice.
Why were they nominated?
“Tashani is both intellectually and personally engaged with the complex ways in which language and identity connect, and the complicated systems of power and agency at play every time we put words to paper. This deep understanding of the connection between language and privilege underscores Tashani’s approach to writing tutoring.”
Steffen Montville ’28
Biology Department Office Assistant
Biology & Environmental Studies Department
Nomination: Leadership Award
Nominator: Kathie Towler
Why do they excel at this job?
Steffen’s supervisor noted his enthusiasm and initiative as an office assistant. When tasked with workroom supply inventory, he created a new shared inventory form that significantly improved the process. He has shown a remarkable ability to apply what he has learned at work to help others in the department, even if it is not a part of his formal work duties. Steffen is always eager to help, even when it means volunteering for extra hours and additional responsibilities.
Why were they nominated?
“Whether [Steffen] is completing a rather mundane task like loading paper in the copy machine or helping design and set up our Honors Day poster session, he can be counted on to take the job and run with it. He is a natural leader, and people want to follow him and participate.”
Emilia Holm ’27
Student Greenhouse Manager
Biology & Environmental Studies Department
Nomination: Leadership Award
Nominator: Jake Grossman
Why do they excel at this job?
Emilia plays a number of critical roles related to day-to-day operations in the greenhouse, including setting the student worker schedule and co-planning tasks like fertilization, pruning, repotting, propogation, and pest control. Her excellent work has allowed the development of new initiatives, such as expanded social media presence, in-person outreach events, and a systematic catalogue of the permanent collections.
Why were they nominated?
“Not only is [Emilia] a pleasure to work with, always professional, and incredibly conscientious, but she really shines in her ability to marshal a team of student workers to do their best work. In the way that good leaders do, Emilia has motivated a group of individuals to become a team.”
Brekken Modory ’26
WINNER
Lead Circulation Desk Student Worker
LITS/Library
Nomination: Leadership Award
Nominator: Susan Fiser
Why do they excel at this job?
Brekken is a strong leader who effectively communicates with a wide variety of people, collaborates and takes initiative when working with others, and shows respect for everyone with whom he interacts. He has a natural ability to work with library patrons and has been an excellent role model for the new student workers he trains. As an Education major, Brekken has also provided constructive feedback on the training methods used at the library and helped to improve communication and check-in methods for new student workers in particular.
Why were they nominated?
“Whether [Brekken] is helping a student worker learn a new task, walking a patron through how to request an item online, or collaborating with staff, his leadership qualities have helped make the library-and our department- a kinder, more inclusive, and overall better place to be.”
Nominee for 2025-2026 Student Employee of the Year in Community Service
Elsa pRIEST ’28
WINNER
Community Recreation Birthday Parties Leader
Community-Based Work Study
Nomination: Community Service Award
Nominator: Melissa Bernhard (NPSR)
Why do they excel at this job?
Elsa has played an important part in the success and growth of the community birthday party program by creating positive experiences for families in the Northfield Public Schools community. Her supervisor noted her responsibility and dependability, as well as her ease in building positive relationships with families, party attendees, and staff on site.
Why were they nominated?
“Elsa has become an integral part of our Community Education birthday party program, and her impact is felt by families, staff, and participants. She represents the very best of what a college work study student can be, engaged, thoughtful, dependable, and driven by genuine joy in serving others.”
Nominees for 2025-2026 Student Employee of the Year in Social Impact & Belonging
jEAN bUTLER ’26
WINNER
Writing Tutor and Lead Tutor
Academic Success Center Writing Desk
Nomination: Social Impact & Belonging Award
Nominator: Bridget Draxler
Why do they excel at this job?
Jean is deeply committed to empowering writers, especially those who identify as neurodiverse. Her project work has focused on accessibility for neurodiverse writers with an emphasis on the strategic use of AI. She was selected this year to represent students on the Provost’s AI task force as a result of her excellent research on writing tutoring in the age of AI and how to use generative AI to eliminate barriers for students with neurodiversity while retaining author agency.
Why were they nominated?
“Jean is inquisitive and tenacious, passionate about data, and committed to access and inclusivity. In particular, Jean’s leadership on disability access and AI best practices have made her an outstanding student employee.”
Evan Atchison ’26
New Student Orientation Coordinator
Orientation & Transition Experiences
Nomination: Social Impact & Belonging Award
Nominator: Sarah Jurewicz
Why do they excel at this job?
Mary and Evan consistently centered the First-year student experience in their planning for New Student Orientation this fall. They wanted to make sure that the programming had the maximum positive impact on new students and gave them the most possible opportunities to meet new Oles. They provided an incredibly friendly and approachable demeanor in the face of the myriad of questions from new Oles and more experienced SOAR leaders helping with the events. Their reliable presence made the process move as smoothly as possible for everyone.
Why were they nominated?
“Throughout NSO I observed both Mary and Evan, in separate spaces, help not only new students, but also, the upperclass student SOAR leaders with a myriad of concerns. Their reliable presence bridged incoming students’ summer preparation phase into the start of the first semester of college as they tirelessly provided their service however they could.”
Mary Yelick ’26
New Student Orientation Coordinator
Orientation & Transition Experiences
Nomination: Social Impact & Belonging Award
Nominator: Sarah Jurewicz
Why do they excel at this job?
Mary and Evan consistently centered the First-year student experience in their planning for New Student Orientation this fall. They wanted to make sure that the programming had the maximum positive impact on new students and gave them the most possible opportunities to meet new Oles. They provided an incredibly friendly and approachable demeanor in the face of the myriad of questions from new Oles and more experienced SOAR leaders helping with the events. Their reliable presence made the process move as smoothly as possible for everyone.
Why were they nominated?
“Throughout NSO I observed both Mary and Evan, in separate spaces, help not only new students, but also, the upperclass student SOAR leaders with a myriad of concerns. Their reliable presence bridged incoming students’ summer preparation phase into the start of the first semester of college as they tirelessly provided their service however they could.”
James Taylor ’27
SSSD Peer Leader
Student Support Services for Students with Disabilities
Nomination: Social Impact & Belonging Award
Nominator: Dana Zimmerman
Why do they excel at this job?
James has become a driving force in building a more inclusive campus community with TRIO SSSD. He recognizes the challenges that students with disabilities face to joining events on campus, and he takes an active role in making sure they can participate fully. While driving a school van to school functions and local events, he creates a “brave space” for students to discuss their identities and challenges and feel a real sense of inclusion and belonging at St. Olaf.
Why were they nominated?
“James Taylor embodies the spirit of the St. Olaf student worker: he is a collaborator, a leader, and a dedicated advocate. His work with SSSD has directly impacted the retention and well-being of our first-year students, fostering an environment where disability is recognized as a vital part of campus diversity.”
Jinn Yang ’26
Lead Circulation Desk Student Worker
LITS/Library
Nomination: Social Impact & Belonging Award
Nominator: Susan Fiser
Why do they excel at this job?
Jinn has had a transformative impact on the way that shifts are transferred and covered at the circulation desk, helping student workers balance the many demands of school, work, and life on campus. In doing so, he has created a sense of belonging within the department by opening up new connections between student workers who may not otherwise work together. His reliability and knowledge make him an excellent trainer and mentor for new student workers who join the team.
Why were they nominated?
“…Jinn’s efforts…have greatly improved our student workers’ ability to balance work, school, and their social life. [Jinn] has helped create a space where students feel comfortable asking questions, working problems out on their own, and making lasting connections with their coworkers, even if they have never known or worked with each other before.”
Nominees for 2025-2026 Student Employee of the Year in Critical Thinking
Rania Abdul Hafiz ’26
WINNER
Sports Medicine Student Assistant
Athletics (Sport Medicine)
Nomination: Critical Thinking Award
Nominator: Tyler Keith
Why do they excel at this job?
Rania goes beyond just performing assigned tasks and actively works to understand what injuries are being assessed, how they are assessed, what tests are being used, how to educate student athletes on their injuries, and the benefits of their treatment. She applies her growing knowledge to helping educate other Sports Medicine Assistants. Rania has also built on the foundation of her student work to receive internships and apply to graduate schools to further her education in the field.
Why were they nominated?
“[Rania] being our most trusted employee of the cohort is based on her ability to use the knowledge base that has grown over the past few years and apply it to the task at hand. Her critical thinking ability has helped her navigate challenges independent of our professional staff that have saved us both effort and work hours.”
sOLVEIG sENF ’27
Economics Department Teaching Assistant
Economics Department
Nomination: Critical Thinking Award
Nominator: Allison Luedtke
Why do they excel at this job?
Solveig has demonstrated exceptional abilities in her Economics coursework, which has led her to be an excellent Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant. She has supported her supervisor in auditing data for her current research projects and developing code to analyze it. Her supevisor noted that Solveig precisely assesses complex mathematical sets in her role as a teaching assistant and regularly brings up insightful questions that help her consider new perspectives on the projects assigned in the course.
Why were they nominated?
“Solveig has consistently shown herself to have some of the strongest critical thinking skills of any student I’ve worked with in my time at St. Olaf. I feel fortunate to have benefited from those skills, both in my teaching and research.”
Ella Hansen ’26
Senior Admissions Fellow
Admissions Office
Nomination: Critical Thinking Award
Nominator: Lily Nelson
Why do they excel at this job?
Ella takes on complex projects with care, accuracy, and long-term planning. She approaches challenging assignments with curiosity and determination, and she takes the time to understand a project before moving forward. She also consistently brings new perspectives and innovative solutions to her team and helps transform abstract ideas into actionable plans.
Why were they nominated?
“Ella exemplifies the qualities this award seeks to recognize: analytical ability, creativity, initiative, and strong idea generation. Her consistent excellence, thoughtful problem-solving, and positive impact make her highly deserving of the Student Employee of the Year Critical Thinking Award.”
Kenzie Nguyen ’26
Lead Circulation Desk Student Worker
LITS/Library
Nomination: Critical Thinking Award
Nominator: Susan Fiser
Why do they excel at this job?
Kenzie excels at working with library patrons to help them find resources and connect them to the appropriate staff members for additional support. She is always willing to voice her opinions, which has led to various improvements in library seating, training materials for new student workers, and management of the reference room. Most notably, Kenzie has taken the lead on handling several safety-related incidents at the library, including the police alert about an armed person in the area this fall.
Why were they nominated?
“Working at the library circulation desks always requires quick thinking and the ability problem solve, which [Kenzie] has done in a variety of situations; from helping patrons find the library items they are looking for, to training new student workers, and helping keep the library safe.”
Nominees for 2025-2026 Student Employee of the Year in Technology and Innovation
Sophia Fuhrmann ’27
WINNER
Senior Admissions Fellow
Admissions Office
Nomination: Technology & Innovation Award
Nominator: Lily Nelson
Why do they excel at this job?
Sophia currently serves as the leader of the Student/Faculty Connections Program, which facilitates personalized connections between current faculty and students and prospective students. When she stepped into the role, she worked with her supervisor to identify opportunities to improve existing tools and revamp the program. Her skill and speed at using Excel and the Admissions Office’s CRM system, Slate, has streamlined the program and made it more effective for everyone involved.
Why were they nominated?
“Sophia’s work on the Student/Faculty Connections Program and with other Visit team projects has gone above and beyond her job description. By combining creativity, technical skill, and dedication, she has left a lasting impact on our office and the experiences of prospective students.”
Shahad Alothman ’27
DiSCO Student Manager for Creativity and Innovation
LITS/Digital Scholarship Center
Nomination: Technology & Innovation Award
Nominator: Don Ezra Plemons
Why do they excel at this job?
Shahad creates in various media, including 3D printing, multi-color printing, sewing, painting, and drawing. Her most noteworthy achievement was securing a $2500 gift to the St. Olaf DiSCO by sharing her passion, enthusaism, and creativity with a visiting alumnus whose job was to sell the same 3D printers that she uses in her work. Her lasting impact at St. Olaf will result in five new 3D printers coming to DiSCO and the Art Department, which Oles will use with the help of her training materials.
Why were they nominated?
“Shahad’s dedication to creativity, her disciplined exploration at work of her non-academic passions, and her motivation to succeed at this new technology set the stage for what could have been just a quick tour through DiSCO to become a cross-generational connection of Oles.”
Delaney Ensor ’26
Library Equipment and Technology Assistant
LITS/Library
Nomination: Technology & Innovation Award
Nominator: Susan Fiser
Why do they excel at this job?
Delaney has shown incredible diligence and attention-to-detail in learning about the 200+ pieces of equipment with which she works. She has also taken the lead on working to create a complete catalog of tutorials for all of the pieces of equipment the library circulates by reviewing, adjusting, and standardizing articles written by other student workers.
Why were they nominated?
“[Delaney] was hired to start working for the very first year that the equipment was circulated at a dedicated equipment desk (as opposed to the general library circulation desk), and over the last three years she has shown an incredible willingness to learn, and work with staff to innovate and improve our services and offerings.”
Brenden Ravndal ’26
Piper Center Peer Advisor Program Assistant
Piper Center for Vocation and Career
Nomination: Technology & Innovation Award
Nominator: Zoe Davis
Why do they excel at this job?
This year, Brenden has built out a structure for the Finance Club, established a new leadership team, and provided developmentally appropriate peer-led educational sessions and alumni networking opportunities. He formed a new partnership between the Club and Mike Berthelsen, CFO, to offer hands-on, work-based learning projects for students in finance. As a leader of the new Innovation Lab Group, Brenden also coordinated an event on generative AI in the workplace that was attended by over 20 students, faculty, and staff.
Why were they nominated?
“Through these many contributions, Brenden has modeled servant leadership and has gone ‘above and beyond’ to help the Piper Center best serve students.”
Mary Staplin ’26
Social Media Student Content Creator
Marketing and Communications
Nomination: Technology & Innovation Award
Nominator: Victoria Campbell
Why do they excel at this job?
Mary’s attention to detail shines through in her carefully edited videos for the College’s social media platforms. Her work this year has garnered over 86.9k views on the College’s Instagram page, including her most-viewed “Winter Walk in Northfield” video. Her supervisor highlighted her “How It Feels to Do Fine Arts and St. Olaf” video, which brought together content from more than 13 different fine arts experiences on campus–the largest project ever taken on by a social media team member.
Why were they nominated?
“[Mary] always comes into work with a great attitude and a willingness to take the lead on any project that I need to get done. Mary understands what videos the college’s accounts need and she has a go-getter attitude which together plays hand in hand for a constant flow of great content.”
Nominees for 2025-2026 Student Employee of the Year Overall
Anders Herfindal-Quint ’26
Academic Tutor – Lead Tutor
Academic Success Center Tutoring
Nomination: Overall
Nominator: Mary Doroff
Why do they excel at this job?
Anders has served as a Supplemental Instruction Leader and as a Lead Tutor for Mathematics. His understanding of best practices in teaching and peer mentorship allow him to provide the tutors in his cohort with constructive feedback and help them troubleshoot difficult situations. He also took it upon himself to manage the biweekly collection of attendance data for the Academic Success Center. Anders takes an active interest in recruiting and hiring new academic tutors, who will one day uphold the standards that he has set.
Why were they nominated?
“As a Lead Tutor, Anders serves as a liaison between the administration and the sciences cohort while working closely with [his supervisor] to ensure the highest standards of academic support. … Anders is a dedicated, insightful and proactive professional who will leave a lasting impact on the Academic Success Center.”
Sasha MacKenzie ’26
Student Life Student Receptionist
Student Life Office
Nomination: Overall
Nominator: Kristina Anderson
Why do they excel at this job?
Sasha makes students feel comfortable and welcome when they come into the office for help. She helps office staff troubleshoot technological issues in addition to managing daily office tasks. She also trains new student workers and guides them to the job performance her department expects. Her positive attitude and natural leadership shine both at work and in the St. Olaf community.
Why were they nominated?
“Sasha has a strong leadership quality that she shows every shift. This quality ties into our community sense and belonging and she continues to make a positive social impact in our office.”
KylIe Murray ’28
Natural Sciences and Math Office Assistant
Psychology Department
Nomination: Overall
Nominator: Darla Frandrup
Why do they excel at this job?
Kylie excels in communicating with faculty, staff, and students in her role as office assistant, easily navigating the competing priorities of the five departments she supports. She troubleshoots technical issues when they arise and handles sensitive information with discretion and integrity. Kylie’s careful planning and attention to detail ensure that deadlines are met and work is completed to a high standard. Her supervisors trusts her to take ownership of responsibilities and help train and support her peers.
Why were they nominated?
“In every aspect of her work, [Kylie] demonstrates dedication, competence, and pride in her contributions. Her efforts significantly enhance the functioning of our department, and her positive attitudes and strong work ethic make her truly deserving of recognition for her outstanding service.”
cORA hARPEL ’26
Student Assistant for Customer Service
Student Accounts/Financial Aid
Nomination: Overall
Nominator: Joshua Bowens
Why do they excel at this job?
Cora is a diligent and reliable student employee who understands the importance of her role for students’ experiences and outcomes. She is able to work patiently and compassionately with students who come into the office and is always willing to go above and beyond. Cora has an exceptional attention to detail and a kind and thoughtful approach to correcting others. She is a friendly, approachable, and positive presence in the office.
Why were they nominated?
“Cora’s leadership is not positional, but relational and behavioral. She leads by example—through consistency, kindness, accountability, and professionalism. Other student employees and staff benefit from working alongside her, and her presence elevates the overall functioning of the office. She embodies the balance of competence and character that defines an exceptional employee.”
ben Siegel ’26
Senior Admissions Fellow
Admissions Office
Nomination: Overall
Nominator: Lily Nelson
Why do they excel at this job?
Ben is a dependable, enthusiastic student leader who brings his best effort every day to leading campus tours, assisting with large scale admissions events, and handling behind-the-scenes office responsibilities.This year, in particular, Ben has taken the lead in planning and scheduling Professional Development events in the Admissions Office.
Why were they nominated?
“In every sense, Ben embodies the ideals of a Student Employee of the Year. His dependability, willingness to take initiative, joyful spirit, and quiet leadership make him an exceptional representative of a St. Olaf student and employee.”
Susanne Schroll ’26
Circulation Desk Student Worker
LITS/Library
Nomination: Overall
Nominator: Susan Fiser
Why do they excel at this job?
Susanne has always gone above and beyond in her work at the circulation desk. She is dedicated to helping patrons get the books, resources, and equipment that they need, even if it requires extra effort and extra hours. She is diligent about communicating with coworkers about tasks that need to be completed, and she is skilled at directing other student workers in a way that feels supportive, rather than confrontational. Susanne consistently ensures that library policies are followed, while still helping community members get the support that they need.
Why were they nominated?
“…Susanne is one of those students you never want to graduate so that they can stay with you forever, but you know that they will go on to do much greater things after St. Olaf. I have complete confidence in all of the work she does for us, and am consistently impressed with the speed and accuracy with which she does tasks.”
Kaya Clemons ’26
WINNER
Student Fellow
Buntrock Institute for Freedom and Community
Nomination: Overall
Nominator: Kelly Shirah
Why do they excel at this job?
Kaya independently developed an IFC social media account and created a marketing campaign to publicize IFC events. She also forged a partnership with Student Government to create the “Dinner with 6 Strangers” events, which facilitate student dialogue on difficult political issues. Kaya has been instrumental in recruiting students to take part in the IFC’s “Politics and Pastries” series, where she helps to lead challenging discussions. She was awarded the Newman Civic Fellow award in recognition of her work on campus to improve belonging and her ongoing commitment to civics and civic education.
Why were they nominated?
“[Kaya] is a self-starter who works tirelessly to advance the mission of the IFC with very little guidance, and she embodies the mission of the college and the Institute in everything she does.”
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