Olivet Nazarene University is excited to recognize senior Kelsey Stang as the 2020 Student Employee of the Year and Kristie Schultz ’96 as the 2020 Student Employment Supervisor of the Year.
Student employees add immense value to Olivet’s campus every year. During 2019, Olivet employed 1,208 students who collectively earned $2.5 million.
“Not only do Olivet students excel in the classroom, but they show their talents and abilities through their work across campus,” says director of human resources, Tom Asher ’08/’17 MBA. “We are grateful for the efforts and important contribution of each student worker. They have a direct impact on the success of the University.”
Kelsey Stang is a senior business administration with a management concentration student from Kankakee, Illinois. She is a student employee in the circulation department of Benner Library.
Kelsey’s supervisor, Kirsten Lathrop, said in her nomination: “Kelsey has a quiet demeanor, yet her communication style in the workplace is bold and professional. She responds promptly to emails and consistently uses our in-house communication log to report issues that need attention and to summarize the work accomplished during her shifts. With patrons, she calmly listens to requests or concerns and then follows up with clarifying questions. She excels at providing brief explanations and re-directing to the most appropriate source of help. Rather than pointing in a direction, Kelsey will often walk a patron to the correct service desk. She is not afraid to say, ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I will check on that and get back to you.’”
Kirsten reiterates, “Kelsey treats other with dignity and respect. She is both compassionate and strong. While teaching and encouraging co-workers, she also plans and leads. Kelsey manages all levels of conflict positively. She has been receptive to constructive criticism, using it to mold her work skills and master professionalism. Her work ethic is respected by library staff and she has built a strong service rapport with library patrons. I expect her to do great things in the near future. She will be a valuable team member at any organization.”
Kristie Schultz serves as the program specialist and assistant to the dean of the Walker School of Engineering and Technology. She has worked for Olivet for seven years total – two of which were served in her current position.
Kristie’s supervisor and dean of the Walker School, Dr. Houston Thompson said in his nomination: “Kristie is passionate about working with student workers. She not only focuses on teaching what needs to be done, but why. She connects the mission and purpose of what we are doing to the work that needs to be done. She is patient with, respectful of, and endeavors to encourage and affirm students. She understands they are learning new things and balancing that with their studies. She goes the extra mile to ensure students feel valued, appreciated, and a part of the team.”
Dr. Thompson concluded, “Kristie’s influence on our student workers is huge and hard to measure. She invests the necessary time to ensure that each student worker is comfortable in their role. The students know her as a gentle, guiding voice that is consistent in helping them in any way possible.”
Nominations for these awards came from students, staff and faculty members in recognition of nominees for their contributions and positive impacts on their respective department or office.
To learn more about student life on campus, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.
Published 4/9/2020
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