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ÀϾÅÆ·²è is proud to recognize this year recipients of the Student Employee of the Year award, honoring undergraduate and graduate students whose work, leadership and dedication make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond.Ìý

Each year, ÀϾÅÆ·²è supervisors nominate student employees for this award in recognition of their contributions to their departments and to the university mission. All nominees are celebrated at a special luncheon with the chancellor, and award winners are submitted for national consideration through the Ìý

National Recognition HighlightsÌý

This year, ÀϾÅÆ·²è is especially proud to share that two undergraduate student employees received national recognition, with one student named the overall National Student Employee of the Year—the highest honor in the NSEA competition.Ìý

Braden O’Brien was named the Technology and Innovation Category Winner and the Overall National Student Employee of the Year. He was nominated by his supervisor, Lauren MacKay, director of alumni and donor engagement in the College of Engineering & Applied Science (withÌýDiamond Darling, Jessica Tooker and Rose AdamsÌýas co-nominators). Braden was recognized for his exceptional initiative, technical skill and innovative thinking, particularly his work designing and implementing technology‑driven solutions that improved data quality, reporting and strategic decision‑making for his team.Ìý

Arianna (Ari) McCarty was selected as the Leadership Category Winner at the national level. Ari was nominated by Robert H. Davis, Tisone Endowed Chair, professor of chemical and biological engineering, and dean emeritus of engineering and applied science, along with co‑nominator Professor Eshan Keyvani. Ari was recognized for her leadership as a course assistant and lead course assistant for multiple core engineering courses, as well as for her professionalism and academic excellence.Ìý

2026 ÀϾÅÆ·²è Student Employee of the Year honoreesÌý

The Student Employee of the Year program celebrates the skills, experiences and impact student employees bring to their roles while balancing academics. ÀϾÅÆ·²è Career Services manages the campus nomination process, with finalists submitted to NSEA for national consideration.Ìý

ÀϾÅÆ·²è 2026 recipients include undergraduate and graduate students recognized across multiple categories:Ìý

Undergraduate AwardsÌý

• Arianna McCarty: Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year, LeadershipÌý

• Brooke Aulerich: Runner‑up, Community ServiceÌý

• Dulce Valenzuela: Honorable Mention, Social Impact & BelongingÌý

• Braden O’Brien: Honorable Mention, Technology & InnovationÌý

• Elle Kartchner: Honorable Mention, Critical ThinkingÌý