Hannah Helms, Hayden Sanders and the Experience Hub team have been named the 2024-25 Student Employees/Team of the Year at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.
The winners were announced as part of National Student Employee Appreciation Week April 13-19.
Student nominees were evaluated from nomination letters based on accomplishments that focused on the following possible topics:
- The employee’s greatest strength
- The qualities that set the employee apart from others
- How the employee has gone above and beyond in their position
- How the employee shows initiative
- Any lasting impact the employee has left on the department, colleges or community
- How the employee demonstrates critical thinking
Team nominees were evaluated on how well the team works collaboratively on a common project, service or goal. The selected team needed to exhibit synergy – where the team performs in a way that is greater than the sum of its parts.
CSB Student Employee of the Year
Helms, a senior exercise and health science major from Kerkhoven, Minnesota, works in the Experience Hub.
“Hannah has demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, dedication and professionalism in her role as peer manager at the Experience Hub. Her impressive contributions have had a profound impact on our team, guiding our processes for years to come. Hannah is a truly deserving candidate for this distinguished recognition,” said Nicholas Olberding, Experience Hub ambassador and outreach manager, in the award nomination.
“A few of Hannah’s greatest strengths are her work ethic, accountability, attention to detail and ability to manage complex and important projects. She manages the processing and reviewing of hundreds of study abroad forms each semester, ensuring accuracy by using acute attention to detail,” Olberding added.
SJU Student Employee of the Year
Sanders, a senior accounting major from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, works in the accounting and finance department.
“Hayden maintained a steady presence on Simons 2, where students regularly stopped by for guidance. One thing that really impressed me was his inclusivity. From my office, I could see him skillfully tutoring a diverse group of students – both Bennies and Johnnies, individuals from various ethnic backgrounds and students of all performance levels. While he had a special connection with the 60 students in my two courses, students from across our department sought him out for assistance,” said Boz Bostrom, professor of accounting and finance, in the nomination letter.
“Hayden exemplifies what it means to be a leader, mentor and student employee, and I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of this recognition,” Bostrom added.
CSB and SJU Student Employee Team of the Year
The Experience Hub student team members include: Sydney Aandal, Annika Anderson, Lily Bakker, Bella Bense, Mary Blaska, Jackie Chavez, Joe Coffey, Ana Dailey, Johnny DuFresne-To, Madeleine Gaunt, Hannah Helms, Marisa LaPlante, Evelyn Lara, Karl Lawrie, Brandon Morris, Jasmyn Olson, Michelle Orso, Valerie Partida, Leslie Ramirez, Kendall Robertson, Wyatt Robertson, Christian Rodriguez, Wyatt Schaeffer, Clara Schleper, Brynn Spanier, Terry Thao, Annie Waters and Ellie Wohnoutka.
“This team has demonstrated outstanding collaboration, peer mentorship and initiative, making a significant impact on our department and campus community. Their ability to work as a united and cohesive team while meeting the needs of three different offices allows for the vision of the Experience Hub to come alive,” said Nicholas Olberding, Experience Hub ambassador and outreach manager, in the award nomination.
“Our Hub Ambassador team embodies teamwork, peer mentorship and leadership. Their collective achievements and collaboration make them truly deserving of the CSB+SJU Student Employment Team of the Year Award,” Olberding added.
2024-25 CSB and SJU Student Employee of the Year nominees
Student (Department / Nominator):
Lauren Dohmen (The Schu / Bonnie Althaus)
Lily Donelan (Global Business Leadership / Kingshuk Mukherjee)
Hannah Helms (Experience Hub / Nicholas Olberding)
Amanda Martinez-Port (Multicultural Student Services / Sydney Robinson and Malik Stewart)
Cierra Rief (Biology / Trevor Keyler)
Alina Schillo (Art Department / Steven Lemke)
Lily Thomas (Mathematics / Phil Byrne)
Colin Klein (Marketing and Communications / Scotia MacNeil)
Andrew Kosloski (Fire Department / Andrew Smith)
Andrew Molenaar (School of Theology / Kathrine Janku)
Hayden Sanders (Accounting and Finance / Boz Bostrom)
2024-25 Student Team of the Year nominees
Student Team / Nominator:
Global Business Leadership Tas / Kingshuk Mukherjee
The Schu / Bonnie Althaus
The Study / Theresa Anderson
Institute for Women’s Leadership / Janet Satern
Experience Hub / Nicholas Olberding
CSB Basketball Managers / Mike Durbin
Multicultural Center – First-Generation Organization / Sydney Robinson and Malik Stewart
Fine Arts Programming Gallery Team / Rebecca Pflueger