Change-Maker Award

A distinguished disrupter who has made an outsized impact on their community through work and service. Their knowledge, skills, and involvement ensure that Kent is at the forefront of pressing issues by elevating the student experience, inspiring impactful research efforts, or leading community-driven initiatives.

Excellence In Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Award

Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from various cultures. Engage in practices that actively challenge the systems and structures of racism, oppression, and that limit inclusion and accessibility.

Sunshine & Positivity Award

Knowing work environments differ greatly, this award is given to the individual who always brightens the day of others. They understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.

Inspirational Leadership Award

Demonstrated a positive impact on others and an ability to recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals. These leaders can motivate, energize, and bring passion and connection into their work environment.

Outstanding Supervisor Award

The university celebrates supervisors who go above and beyond the call of duty to engage and develop their student employees. They create a culture of engagement that includes supporting the development of team members and sending a strong, consistent message of respect, empathy, and trust.

Flashes GROW Award

The Flashes GROW Award recognizes a supervisor or department dedicated to preparing students for their careers through student employment. They engage students in high-impact conversations, that require reflection on their work, to help students articulate the knowledge and skills learned through work and make connections to academics and beyond.

• Hold a "Student employment” classification (hired through CampusWorks)
• Be current students in good standing
• Be enrolled during Spring 2024 semester
• Has worked a minimum of 6 months as a student employee from June 2023 through May 2024.
• Graduate Assistants are not eligible for this award.

As part of the Student Employee Awards Celebration, individual departments and supervisors are encouraged to nominate outstanding student employees for a student employee award. Student employees are encouraged to nominate their supervisor for the Outstanding Supervisor Award. Further, staff and faculty members are encouraged to nominate their department, themselves (as a supervisor of student employees), or a colleague (as a supervisor of student employees) for the Flashes GROW Award.

Online nominations must be submitted by 11:59pm on Friday, February 9, 2024. The nomination forms will open on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Individuals selected as finalists and identified to receive an award will be honored at the Student Employee Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Additional items of acknowledgment will also be provided. Each nominee will be notified of their nomination by Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Each Finalist and their supervisor will be notified by Friday, March 15, 2024.

Nominate a Supervisor for the Outstanding Supervisor Award

Complete this form to nominate a supervisor of a student employee for the Outstanding Supervisor Award. This form should only be completed by student employees and each student can nominate one supervisor.  

Nominate a Student Employee for a Student Employee Award

Complete this form to nominate a student employee. This form should only be completed by supervisors or staff members, not by student employees. Any Kent State University staff or faculty member, with the approval of the student's direct supervisor, may submit a nomination. There is no limit to the number of nominations a supervisor or staff member can submit, but only submit one nomination per student. Staff may nominate multiple students, but a separate form must be submitted for each nominee.

Nominate a Supervisor or Department for the Flashes GROW Award

Complete this form to nominate your department, yourself (as a supervisor of student employees), or a colleague (as a supervisor of student employees) for the Flashes GROW Award. This form should only be completed by supervisors or staff members, not by student employees. There is no limit to the number of nominations a supervisor or staff member can submit, but only submit one nomination per person/department. Staff may nominate multiple supervisors, but a separate form must be submitted for each nominee. 

Hosted by Career Exploration and Development and University College, SEAC is a banquet recognizing the tremendous contributions of our student employees to Kent State University and community. Professional attire is encouraged. Free professional clothing is available for students from the Kent State University Career Closet. Hours, locations, and more information can be found here.  

ALL supervisors and student employees are invited and encouraged to attend. Registration for the event is required. Space is limited, and we recommend registering early to reserve your place. 

The winner and four finalists for each award will be recognized during the Student Employee Awards Celebration (SEAC) on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 5pm-7pm in the Kent Student Center Ballroom.

Registration for this event is required and will open on Monday, February 19, 2024. Departments must register here on behalf of their student(s), staff, and supervisor(s) attending. The cost to attend is $12 per person or $80 for an eight-person table. Departments will be invoiced through Interdepartmental Charge (IDC). The registration deadline for the event is Friday, March 22, 2024.

Each finalist and their supervisor will be notified by Friday, March 15, 2024, to ensure finalists and their supervisor have an opportunity to register to attend the event, if they have not done so already.

During the celebration, all nominees that attend will receive a Flashes “K” pin. All finalists will receive a Flashes “K” pin and a certificate of recognition. The winner for each award will receive a Flashes “K” pin, a certificate of recognition, and a plaque.

Questions about the event can be emailed to campusworks@kent.edu.

Click here to view the archive of all previous SEAC Award Winners and Finalists

SEAC 2024 Award Winners:

Change-Maker Award

• Aciano Leipply-Caban - Department of Biological Sciences

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Award

• Ely Federspiel - University Orientation and Visit Experience

Inspirational Leadership Award

• Maris Walter - Academic Success Center

Sunshine and Positivity Award

• Keerthan Gopu - Recreation and Wellness Services

Outstanding Supervisor Award

• Kedron Trapp - Design Innovation
• Shawn Wilson - Admissions

Flashes GROW Award

• Taraneh Meshkani, DDes - College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Department of Architecture
• Recreation and Wellness Services Department