Student Employee of the Year
What is Student Employee of the Year
Every spring, colleges and universities around the country coordinate a selection process to choose one student employee from their campus whose outstanding contributions and achievements through their work set them apart from their peers. The hard work and dedication shown by these students exemplifies how student employment is a high-impact practice that helps to prepare students for success in their future careers and the workplace. Starting with a nomination by the student's supervisor, all applications are accepted and then analyzed by a selection committee. The committee then decides who should be the recipient of the Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year, Graduate student Employee of the Year, Excellence in Service, Excellence in Leadership, Excellence In Belonging and Excellence in Technology & Innovation. After a decision is reached, the honor of these awards are bestowed upon the chosen students and their work is celebrated during National Student Employment Week. The Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year will also move onto the National Student Employment Association (NSEA's) selection process for a chance to be named Sate, Regional, or the National Student Employee of the Year.
Year 2024-2025
 |
Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year: Cora LauDepartment: Jumpstart "While there are many positives of working at Jumpstart, the biggest one is that it has afforded me the opportunity to directly and indirectly serve communities in need. There are so many kids and communities that we are able to know and help through this work, which makes it so easy to do this job! In addition to the communities that we are able to serve, I have been lucky enough to become more familiar with our Jumpstart community at Pepperdine. This community is full of people who are kind and dedicated. A key part of this stems from my supervisors: Tess, Lydia, and Talita, who are some of the most compassionate and joyful people I have the pleasure of knowing," Cora Lau said. “Over the past year, this student has demonstrated exceptional leadership, particularly when both staff members resigned, and recruitment was underway. They took initiative, utilizing their experience to map out the recruitment process, interview over 80 candidates in five days, and successfully recruit 64 new corps members, ensuring the program met its deadlines. This student also created an effective system for managing team placements and led the organization of the Tiny Hands, Big Hearts event, engaging 73 volunteers and fostering stronger community connections. They displayed remarkable professional growth, enhancing their communication, critical thinking, and digital technology skills. This student’s leadership and adaptability have been crucial to the program's success, ensuring smooth operations and fostering relationships between Pepperdine students and the local community. Their passion for service and commitment to the mission of Jumpstart will leave a lasting impact long after their time at Pepperdine.” —Jumpstart |
 |
Graduate Student Employee of the Year: Kali de VarennesDepartment: Office of the General Counsel "During my experience working at the Office of the General Counsel, I have enjoyed the challenge of researching and analyzing complex legal issues and applying the law to unique situations. The variety of legal matters I have been exposed to is invaluable and keeps me constantly learning and growing as a legal professional. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside experienced attorneys, legal staff, and other law clerks who have become like a family to me. My supervisor, Carina, is one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I have met. She prioritizes our schedules, plans fun office lunches, and has a positive, cheerful attitude and a great sense of humor. I have fulfilled a great sense of purpose by working for Pepperdine University and supporting the organization's mission and goals while advancing my legal career. I will never forget my experience working on this team and will miss everyone after I graduate this semester," Kali de Varennes said. "This student has consistently demonstrated an incredible work ethic and exceptional legal skills that have far surpassed expectations. Their work product, from contract reviews to drafting memos and waivers, has been timely, precise, and of a caliber well beyond their experience level. This student’s positive attitude, dependability, and collaborative nature have made them invaluable to our office, and has become a natural mentor to their peers. This student’s humility, eagerness to learn, and ability to approach every task with care and dedication have not only impressed our entire team but have also set a standard for excellence in the workplace." —Office of the General Counsel |
 |
Excellence in Community Service: Alyssa JohnsonDepartment: Office of Student Accessibility "Everybody at work is so positive and supportive, so I'm very grateful to work with them!" Alyssa Johnson said. "This student makes a distinctive contribution to the community by ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to educational materials. They have directly impacted approximately 300 student note takers and over 950 individual note requests per semester. Without their dedicated service, OSA’s response time for supplying accommodations would be out of compliance with our standards. This student’s impact across campus extends beyond OSA, as their articles in the Pepperdine Graphic have raised awareness about important issues like OCD, introversion, and fostering a more inclusive and understanding campus environment." —Office of Student Accessibility |
 |
Excellence in Leadership: Steven CordovaDepartment: RISE "What I like most about my job is the opportunity for personal and professional growth through the guidance of incredible mentors. Stacey has helped me refine my interpersonal skills at a professional level, allowing me to navigate workplace relationships with confidence and effectiveness. Sergio has shown me how to incorporate faith into the workplace in a graceful and tasteful way, reinforcing the importance of values and integrity in professional settings. Jackie has provided me with opportunities to express myself in new spaces, ensuring that my voice is heard while also teaching me the importance of truly listening to others—especially in my work with diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their mentorship has shaped my experience in profound ways, and I’m incredibly grateful for the lessons they continue to share with me," Steven Cordova said. "This student exemplifies the highest standard of leadership, demonstrating dedication, innovation, and a commitment to fostering a community of care. Their impact extends beyond their role, as they have actively shaped the vision and strategy of the RISE Program through event planning, outreach, and mentorship. From developing the RISE x ICA Relationship Building Handbook to securing partnerships and refining student engagement strategies, their contributions will have a lasting influence. Through this student’s servant leadership and commitment to growth, they have not only strengthened the program’s present success but also laid the groundwork for future leaders." —RISE |
 |
Excellence in Technology & Innovation: Anthony MassaroDepartment: Stewardship "I enjoy making a real impact alongside amazing people that meaningfully contribute to the success of the Pepperdine community," Anthony Massaro said. "This student has demonstrated remarkable initiative and adaptability, mastering the Blackbaud Awards Management System and streamlining its use to improve team efficiency. Their expertise in digital technology and problem-solving was evident as they independently developed advanced Excel formulas to optimize the stewardship matrix, addressing inefficiencies and enhancing overall performance. Through their innovation, the team was able to automate over 450 impact reports for donors—an achievement that would not have been possible without this student’s contributions. Their ability to bridge technology and communication has left a lasting impact, ensuring seamless operations and stronger donor engagement." —Stewardship |
 |
Excellence in Belonging: Ariana BribiescaDepartment: Intercultural Affairs "I love that I am a part of efforts that promote belonging on campus," Ariana Bribiesca said. "This student has transformed our social media platforms into dynamic spaces for education, connection, and cultural celebration, amplifying ICA’s mission to foster inclusivity and belonging on campus. Through their innovative content creation and strategic campaigns, this student has elevated student engagement, ensuring that underrepresented voices are seen, valued, and heard. Their leadership and creativity have set a high standard, helping ICA clubs build connections and strengthening collaborations across campus. Beyond their technical skills, this student’s empathy and dedication have made a lasting impact, advancing Pepperdine’s mission to cultivate a more inclusive and compassionate community." —Intercultural Affairs |
View 2022 Program for more information about each nominee
View 2023 Program for more information about each nominee
View 2024 Program for more information about each nominee
View 2025 Program for more information about each nominee
