The Florida State University Student Employee of the Year Award seeks to recognize Florida State’s outstanding student employees for their contributions to the university. This is an opportunity for Faculty and Staff to recognize our student employees.
2024 AWARDS & NOMINATION UPDATE
FSU’s Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year Award will be paused for the 2023-2024 nomination cycle allowing our team to thoroughly review the program to ensure it aligns with intended goals and objectives. Please stay tuned for updates and announcements regarding our strategic revisions aimed at enhancing the overall quality and impact of this student employee recognition.
We understand that you may be disappointed about the missed opportunity to nominate an outstanding student employee for this recognition, so we encourage you to consider recognizing your student employee(s) with a nomination for one of the following recognition programs offered within our university community*:
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Honors, Scholars & Fellows House Undergraduate Excellence in the Visual Arts
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Honors, Scholars & Fellows House Graduate Excellence in the Visual Arts
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DSA Awards (GAs, TAs and OPS Student Employees in the Division of Student Affairs)
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Student Awards - Leadership Awards Night (13 categories for student awards)
Thank you for your understanding and support as we work towards making the Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year Award Program even more successful in the future. If you have any immediate questions, please feel free to reach out to Tracey Dowling, Program Director for Experiential Learning at tdowling@fsu.edu or (850) 644-9774. The Career Center welcomes any feedback or input you may have during this period.
*Are we missing an award nomination within the FSU campus community for undergraduate and graduate student employees? To add the award, please email the award name and a link to tdowling@fsu.edu.
Ways to Acknowledge Your Student Employees
There are a wide number of ways you can do to show your appreciation for your student employees. Below are some resources to help you acknowledge the important contributions student employees make at Florida State.
- Virtual Thank You Card: Send a virtual thank you card with a personalized message through email. (Right-click on the link and select "Save Link As...", a download for an Outlook email will be on your computer).
- For Gmail users, copy and paste the virtual thank you card from here and write your custom message.
- Digital Certificate: Award your student a digital certificate (fillable PDF).
- Social Media: Make a social media post to celebrate your student workers and use the hashtag #NolesatWork
- View a list of virtual ways to acknowledge your student employees.
Awards and Nominations
The Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year Overall Winner
The Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year Award is bestowed upon the outstanding Student Employee that, on a daily basis, demonstrates strength, skill, and character while delivering exceptional customer service and always going above and beyond the duties of their role. There will be both an undergraduate and a graduate student winner in this category.
Torch Award
Given to the Student Employee who demonstrates a commitment to diversity & inclusion in the workplace.
Vires Award
Given to the Student Employee who recognizes and capitalizes on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.
Artes Award
Given to the Student Employee who demonstrates critical thinking skills in the workplace.
Mores Award
Given to the Student Employee who exemplifies outstanding commitment to others and the community in their work.
Spark Award
Given to the Student Employee who utilizes technology to create efficiencies and bring innovation to the workplace.
Nomination Criteria
For FSU students to participate and be nominated as the SEOTY, they must meet the minimum qualifications
- Degree-seeking student (undergraduate or graduate) currently enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours
- Nominees may be undergraduate/graduate students employed as Student Assistants, Federal Work Study, Student Interns, Student Ambassadors, or Graduate/Teaching/Research Assistants
- Must be employed by Florida State University for a minimum of 3 months at the time of nomination
- Students must be in good academic standing with the university
- Pursuing a degree at either FSU Tallahassee, FL or FSU Panama City, FL campuses
Students who are nominated and meet the above criteria will be considered for category award nominated and for the Tony DiBenedetto overall student employee of the year award.
History of Student Employee of the Year
Each year, colleges and universities from across the nation collectively participate in National Student Employment Week (NSEW) to formally recognize institutional excellence stemming from the gains and contributions of student employees.
The National Student Employment Association (NSEA) coordinates a selection process and chooses the National Student Employee of the Year to recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of students who work while attending college. In order to be considered for this award, students from colleges and universities across the nation must be nominated and win at their institution and at the regional level. The regional association for Florida State University is the Southern Association of Student Employment Administrators (SASEA).
History of SEOTY at Florida State University
In Spring 2015, The Career Center launched the inaugural FSU Student Employee of the Year Award (SEOTY) in order to highlight and recognize the contributions of 8,300+ on-campus FSU Student Employees. The SEOTY Award furthers institutional goal of becoming a Top 25 Public Institution. Each year the second week in April has been designated as Student Employee Week in the state of Florida by Governor Rick Scott.
In 2019, the institutional winner Abigail Centers was selected as the regional Southern Association of Student Employment Administrators (SASEA) winner.
2015 Ceremony
The inaugural campaign yielded 74 nominations from 29 campus units, including 22 academic departments and university partner, the National High Magnetic Laboratory. The Selection Committee was comprised of representatives from Student Financial Services, Human Resources, Office of Financial Aid, Undergraduate Studies, Office of Communications, Student Government Association, and the Division of Student Affairs. During the SEOTY Award Ceremony, each student nominee was recognized and the following award winners were announced:
- Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year (Overall Winner): Rebecca Garrett, Department of Mathematics
- Torch Award (Customer Service Excellence Category): Jaclyn Glazier, College of Arts & Sciences Advising Office
- Vires Award (Initiative Category): Charles Fernandez, Controller’s Office
- Artes Award (Critical Thinking Category): Andrea Llewellyn, Center for Leadership & Social Change
- Mores Award (Professionalism Category): Hannah Everett, Center for Global Engagement
2016 Ceremony
In April 2016, the Florida State University Career Center hosted the 2nd Annual SEOTY Award Ceremony. A total of 150 nominations were received from across campus representing diverse departments and divisions. A selection committee made up of campus staff members from Human Resources, Office of Financial Aid, Student Government Association, and the Division of Student Affairs selected awardees in the following categories:
- Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year (Overall Winner): Margaret Scheiner, Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
- Torch Award (Customer Service Excellence Category): Dustin Lynch, International Programs
- Vires Award (Initiative Category): Jordan Chupp, Campus Recreation
- Artes Award (Critical Thinking Category): E’lexis Brewer, Center for Academic & Professional Development
- Mores Award (Professionalism Category): Shane Morris, FSU Medical Response Unit
2017 Ceremony
On April 10, 2017, the Florida State University Career Center hosted the 3rd Annual Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Award Ceremony. A total of 150 nominations were received from across campus representing diverse departments and divisions. This number was a 100% increase from the inaugural nomination period. A selection committee made up of campus staff members from Human Resources, Office of Financial Aid, Student Government Association, and the Division of Student Affairs selected awardees in the following categories:
- Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year (Overall Winner): Maria Montano, Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement
- Torch Award (Customer Service Excellence Category): Lauren Apgar, Career Center
- Vires Award (Initiative Category): Jordan Landers, Campus Recreation
- Artes Award (Critical Thinking Category): Hannah McLaughlin, College of Social Work
- Mores Award (Professionalism Category): Allison Metcalf, Office of the Provost
2018 Ceremony
On April 9, 2018, the Florida State University Career Center hosted the 4rd Annual Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Award Ceremony. Over 80 nominations were received from across campus representing diverse departments and divisions. A selection committee made up of campus staff members from Division of Academic Affairs, University Relations, Division of University Advancement, Division of Research, 2016 Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year, Division of Athletics and the Division of Student Affairs selected awardees in the following categories:
- Undergraduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year (Overall Winner): Wyatt Harrell, College of Motion Picture Arts
- Graduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year (Overall Winner): Kelly Borges, FSU Athletics.
- Torch Award (Customer Service Excellence Category): Grace Atkins, Opening Nights.
- Vires Award (Initiative Category): Clare Davis, Campus Recreation
- Artes Award (Critical Thinking Category): Rosalia Parrino, Campus Recreation, and Georgia Platt, Department of Biological Science.
- Mores Award (Professionalism Category): Blake Tipping, The Career Center.
2019 Ceremony
On April 8, 2019, the Florida State University Career Center hosted the 5TH Annual Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Award Ceremony. More than 100 nominations were received from departments and divisions from both the Tallahassee and Panama City campuses. A selection committee made up of campus staff members from Division of Academic Affairs, University Relations, Division of University Advancement, Division of Research, 2018 Tony DiBenedetto Graduate Student Employee of the Year, Division of Athletics and the Division of Student Affairs selected awardees in the following categories:
- Undergraduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year and 2019 SASEA Student Employee of the Year: Abigail Centers, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
- Graduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year: Tyler Bruefach, Campus Recreation
- Torch Award (Customer Service Category): Ankit Patel, ACE Learning Studio
- Vires Award (Initiative Category): Denis Aleman, Florida Center for Reading Research
- Artes Award (Critical Thinking Category): Taegan Dennis, Strozier Library
- Mores Award (Professionalism Category): Lindsey Reyes, Student Government Association
Abigail Centers advanced for consideration at the regional level through the Southern Association of Student Employment Administrators (SASEA). Regional judges selected Abigail as the 2019 SASEA Student Employee of the Year from a group of 22 finalists who were chosen to represent their institutions from a pool of 800 students nominated in the region. This is the first time FSU’s institutional winner also received the regional award.
2019 SEOTY Winners (from left to right): Torch (Customer Service) Award: Ankit Patel, ACE Learning Studio, Mores (Professionalism) Award: Lindsey REYES, Student Government Association, Graduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year Award: Tyler Bruefach, Campus Recreation, Undergraduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year Award: Abigail Centers, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Vires (Initiative) Award: Denis Aleman, Florida Center for Reading Research, Artes (Critical Thinking) Award: Taegan Dennis, Strozier Library
2020 Ceremony
On April 16, 2020, the Florida State University Career Center hosted the 6TH Annual Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Award Ceremony. More than 100 nominations were received from departments and divisions from both the Tallahassee and Panama City campuses. A selection committee made up of campus staff members from Division of Academic Affairs, University Relations, Division of University Advancement, Division of Research, 2019 Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year winners, 2019 Max Carraway Employee of the Year, Division of Athletics and the Division of Student Affairs selected awardees in the following categories:
- Undergraduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year: Krinaben Patel, FSU Panama City Library
- Graduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year: James Hocken, FSU Athletics, Women's Soccer Program
- The Vires (Strength) Award: Patrick Martin, Office of Institutional Research
- The Artes (Skill) Award: Devyn Wallin, College of Medicine Public Affairs and Communications Office
- The Mores (Character) Award: Christine Lopez, Florida Center for Reading Research.
- The Torch (Professionalism) Award: Jordan Velez, FSU Campus Recreation.
2021 Ceremony
On April 16, 2021, the Florida State University Career Center hosted the 7TH Annual Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Award Ceremony. More than 74 nominations were received from departments and divisions from both the Tallahassee and Panama City campuses. A selection committee made up of campus staff members from, University Relations, Division of Research, Division of Finance and Administration, 2020 Max Carraway Employee of the Year, Division of Athletics and the Division of Student Affairs selected awardees in the following categories:
- Undergraduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year: Beatrice Dain, The Institute on World War II and the Human Experience
- Graduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year: Yang Li, The Center for Global Engagement
- The Vires (Initiative) Award: Jordan Rundle, Student Engagement - ASLC
- The Artes (Critical Thinking) Award: Savanna Gill, Learning Systems Institute
- The Mores (Professionalism) Award: Mia Bennett, Office of Advancement, FSU Panama City Campus
- The Torch (Customer Service) Award: Courtney B. Francis, University Housing
Each year, FSU’s Tony DiBenedetto Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year winner is advanced for consideration at the regional level through the Southern Association of Student Employment Administrators (SASEA). This year, 290 students were nominated in the region, and SASEA recognized Dain as one of three Student Employee of the Year regional honorees. This is the second time FSU’s institutional winner has received regional recognition.
2022 Ceremony
On April 13, 2022, the Florida State University Career Center hosted the 8th Annual Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Award Ceremony. More than 63 nominations were received from departments and divisions from both the Tallahassee and Panama City campuses. A selection committee made up of campus staff members from, Human Resources, Division of Research, Division of Finance and Administration – Office of Financial Aid, 2021 Max Carraway Employee of the Year, Division of Athletics and the Division of Student Affairs selected awardees in the following categories:
- Undergraduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year: Caitlyn Mann, Office of Financial Aid – Southern Scholarship Foundation
- Graduate Tony DiBenedetto Student Employee of the Year: Honorine Rouiller, The Graduate School
- The Vires (Initiative) Award: Steven A. Gross, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
- The Artes (Critical Thinking) Award: Toshiaki Kanai, Physics Department
- The Mores (Professionalism) Award: Kadian Jasmin, FSU Libraries and Nina Rosso, Information Technology Services Fiscal Operations Department
- The Torch (Customer Service) Award: Brandon Saridjo, Office of Transfer Student Services
Each year, FSU’s Tony DiBenedetto Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year winner is advanced for consideration at the regional level through the Southern Association of Student Employment Administrators (SASEA). This year, 290 students were nominated in the region, and SASEA recognized Dain as one of three Student Employee of the Year regional honorees. This is the second time FSU’s institutional winner has received regional recognition.
2023 Ceremony
On April 10, 2023, the Florida State University Career Center hosted the 9th Annual Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Award Ceremony. A selection committee made up of campus staff members from different offices and divisions: Human Resources, Division of Research, University Relations, Division of Student Affairs, Institutional Research, 2022 Max Carraway Employee of the Year, and Information Technology Services.
This year we had the honor to be joined by Tony DiBenedetto to congratulate students and deliver the keynote speech.
The following winners were selected among 87 worthy nominees from both the Tallahassee and Panama City, FL campuses:
- Overall Student Employee of the Year: Griffin Bradford, National High Magnetic Laboratory
- Torch Award (Diversity & Inclusion Category): Kristina Feliciano, Center for Translational Behavioral Science
- Vires Award (Leadership Category): Gabi Mastando, Office of Institutional Research
- Artes Award (Critical Thinking Category) Alexander Barr, Mastercraftman Studio
- Artes Award (Critical Thinking Category) – FWS: May Garcia, Psychology Department
- Mores Award (Community Service Category): Emem Kieran, Family Medicine and Rural Health
- Spark Award (Technology & Innovation): Kaley de Leon, The Florida Center for Prevention Research
Each year, FSU’s Tony DiBenedetto Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year winner is advanced for consideration at the regional level through the Southern Association of Student Employment Administrators (SASEA). This year, 290 students were nominated in the region, and SASEA recognized Dain as one of three Student Employee of the Year regional honorees. This is the second time FSU’s institutional winner has received regional recognition.
Left to right: Griffin Bradford, Gabi Mastando, May Garcia, Emem Kieran, Tony DiBenedetto, Kaley de Leon, Kristina Feliciano, and Alexander Barr
