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�þ��� students, staff, and faculty gathered for the annual Supervisor’s Appreciation Dinner on March 5, an Elon tradition designed to celebrate the many student supervisors across campus who play a vital role in mentoring and supporting student employees.

Started by Rene Jackson, former PACE director and the Student Professional Development Center career advisor) over a decade ago, senior student employees take turns sharing reflections on their journey and the impact their supervisor has had on their experience.

Supervisors of student employees wear many hats. They guide, encourage and challenge students to grow professionally and personally, all while managing a wide range of responsibilities within their departments. Their influence often extends far beyond the workplace, leaving a lasting impact on students’ lives.

Excellence in Student Supervision Award

This year’s dinner introduced the inaugural Excellence in Student Supervision Award, honoring supervisors nominated by student employees for exceptional mentorship and leadership.

Nominated by student employees and selected by a committee of campus staff/faculty members, this award recognizes outstanding supervisors who go above and beyond in their mentorship and leadership.

The first recipients of the award include Nicole Bergen, the program assistant for the Kernodle Center for Civic Life; Jeana Schickedantz, program assistant in the English Department and Justin Nichols, Microsoft power platform developer.

Their student nominators shared messages about the impact of these staff members:

• “I leave work every day feeling like I’ve learned something new.”

• “Her presence in my life throughout my college career has been invaluable and a mentorship I will take with me for the rest of my life.”
• “She is instrumental in breaking down barriers… a tremendous leader of her students.”