The Office of Academic and Student Employment recently announced the winners of the Student Employee and Supervisor of the Year awards.
“The University of Toledo continually strives to create a high-impact on-campus student employment experience for both the students and the departments. Since July 1, 2022, our outstanding on-campus student workers have completed over 322,357 hours helping out across all UToledo campuses and also out in the community,” said Josh Vail, student employment specialist. “We are pleased to recognize the hard work of the Student Employee of the Year along with the dedication and mentorship of our Student Supervisor of the Year.”
Margaret Beccavin, director of communications in the College of Law, was Supervisor of the Year, and Andrew Kessler, a sophomore studying information technology who is a student assistant for the IT Help Desk, was Student Employee of the Year.
Andrew Kessler was recognized as the UToledo Student Employee of the Year. A sophomore studying information technology in the College of Engineering, Kessler is a student assistant for the IT Help Desk.
The award is given to a student who, in their work role, exemplifies reliability, quality work, initiative, professionalism and unique contributions.
Kessler was nominated by his supervisor Teresa Hagedorn, manager of the IT Help Desk. In her nomination she wrote, “In his role at the IT Help Desk, Andy became a leader and mentor within a very short time. He was and remains fully committed to learning all about clinical applications and academic areas and proving himself as a leader in providing support. Besides exhibiting solid leadership and strong critical thinking skills, Andy excels in the area of technology and innovation. With Andy’s logic, critical thinking and examination of Epic material and our
Help Desk Work Flow, he can take a given problem or request in the clinical or academic area, and work effectively and efficiently to help the user resolve the issue or obtain their requested technology items.”
“Andy has resolved just shy of 3,000 tickets in the last 12 months, far exceeding all other technicians and analysts in IT. He is committed to helping our institution succeed and he serves all equally, promoting inclusiveness. Andy is witty, kind and well-liked by his team and those he serves.”
UToledo has had approximately 1,350 students working on campus this year, providing value-added staffing while gaining relevant real-world transferable skills they can take to their career workplace.
Kessler was selected for the top honor based on guidelines defined by the National Student Employee Association.
“To be recognized for this award is a very high honor,” Kessler said. “It is such a humbling feeling to know that the work that I, as well as many others who have received this award in year’s past, do does not go unnoticed. I am very thankful and grateful to Teresa Hagedorn for nominating me for this award.”
The Supervisor of the Year Award was presented to Margaret Beccavin, director of communications in the College of Law.
Beccavin was nominated by one of her student employees who stated, “Margaret Beccavin is an exceptional supervisor who embodies the qualities of Vail: mentoring, professionalism and leadership. I can attest to her outstanding performance as a supervisor and her unwavering commitment to fostering a positive work environment. She was able to bring the team together and create a cohesive work environment that fostered collaboration and creativity. Her mentoring skills allowed me to feel as though I was learning something new every day under her guidance and it was evident that she truly cared about my growth and development.
“Margaret’s professionalism was also second to none. She always set a great example for her team and was a role model for how to conduct oneself in a professional manner. She made a significant impact on my development, and I wholeheartedly believe that she is deserving of the Employment Supervisor of the Year Award.”
Beccavin said she was honored to receive the Supervisor of the Year Award.
“It’s a little surreal to receive this award,” she said. “I’ve always looked up to the supervisors I had when I was student employee. To know that I’ve contributed to a positive experience in furthering a student’s personal and professional development is humbling.”
