Going Above and Beyond: Student Employees of the Month for April

Every month, the Department of Mathematics recognizes student employees that are “exceptional and valuable members” of the department. This is a new program, created last year by the department, to recognize the hard work of our student employees. Nominated for going above and beyond in their roles, here are the recipients for April’s Student Employees of the Month Award.

Jill S.

Jill is an Admin & Proctoring Coordinator (APS)  for Math 100 and has been with the department for four years. She is graduating this semester with a BS in Medicine, and plans to go to medical school next year. What she loves about her job with Math 100 is interacting with students.

Jill was nominated by Faith Warner, an Assistant Coordinator for Math 100. “Jill's dedication to our program is astounding.” Faith wrote, “This year she has taken lead in our ASYNC class zoom tutoring and chats; being proactive and diligent in this role. There is no doubt in my mind that Jill will continue to go above and beyond as she grows into her professional career." Michelle Woodward, Director of Math 100 and Online Instruction, added, "She has taken on every role and every project with great dedication and integrity. Her growth as a young professional has been inspiring to watch."

Fun fact, Jill was a women's basketball state champ. 

Kristina M. 

Kristina works in the CRR as a Marketing and Communications Assistant and has been working with the department for 8 months. She’s studying Biosystems Engineering with a minor in Mechanical Engineering, hoping to secure a career in sustainability.

“I love being able to bring my creativity into my work and I'm thankful for a job that is open to so much creative freedom,” Kristina shared, “I also love knowing that I'm working towards a good cause and that even in my own small way, I'm making a difference for so many teachers and students.”    

Kristina was nominated by CRR Director, Gretchen Stickney. “She consistently produces thoughtful and visually compelling materials that elevate the visibility and impact of our programs, skillfully utilizing tools such as Canva and other design platforms to create polished, engaging content,” Gretchen noted, “What truly sets Kris apart is her initiative, communication, and collaborative spirit... Her curiosity, strong work ethic, and dedication to supporting the Center make her an invaluable member of our team and a highly deserving recipient of this recognition.”

Fun fact, Kristina was a professional swimmer for 7 years! 

Matthew L. 

Matthew is an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) for Math 355 and has been working for the department for four months. He is a double major in Computer Science and Math and plans on going into the industry after graduation, eventually one day making it back to academia and teaching. He most enjoys helping students during office hours when they come to conclusions on their own with a little bit of prodding in the right direction. 

Matthew was nominated by Shay Gilpin, a postdoc here in the department. “Matthew is an outstanding UTA,” Shay shared, “His sharp math skills naturally translate into his role as a UTA: he writes elegant, mathematically rigorous homework solutions, excels during office hours by guiding students through the material, and is attuned to both my needs as an instructor and the needs of the students. I am particularly impressed with Matthew’s ability to design and execute successful review sessions, which he hosts for both sections of this course, not just mine. Matthew is a teammate I can trust and a student employee this department should be proud to have!”

Fun fact, Matthew's favorite instrument is the vibraphone and he used to play it in high school. 

Congratulations to these outstanding students. Thank you Jill, Kristina, and Matthew for all that you do! Your contributions to our department are immeasurable, and the dedication you show in your roles is truly admirable.