The Student Employee of the Year Award, which is facilitated by Appalachian’s Career Development Center, was created to recognize a student employee who has worked at least six months part time (or three months full time) during the selection period and who is judged on their reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism, contribution and dedication to the office in which they are employed. Each year, supervisors of student employees are asked to submit a nomination for an outstanding student.

Student Employment Coordinator Les Miller reported Vess was selected because the Student Employment Advisory Board was “greatly impressed by her initiative and her passion.”

Vess, originally from Indian Land, South Carolina, is a junior elementary education major at Appalachian.

She works as a student employee in the university’s Child Development Center (CDC) and was nominated for the 2018 Student Employee of the Year Award by her supervisor, Ellyn Andrews, director of the CDC.

Andrews said, “Sara demonstrated an outstanding passion for her job by going above and beyond her normal responsibilities. She takes the extra effort in lifting up students and teachers alike. She has willingly filled in any gaps, being flexible to work in all areas at the CDC.”

About working at the CDC, Vess said, “I have dreamed of being an elementary teacher my entire life. I am achieving this dream through my job at the CDC. My work there is furthering my knowledge and understanding of my coursework.”

She shared that she plans to graduate in the spring of 2020 and hopes to continue working with children as an elementary school teacher.

As part of her award, Vess received a $1,000 scholarship for the 2018–19 academic year.

The Ronny L. Brooks Award for Outstanding Leadership is named for Ronny L. Brooks, who served as dean of men and later as dean of students at Appalachian, and who was a strong supporter of out-of-class learning to foster student development.

The award recognizes Appalachian students who have distinguished themselves through the leadership they provide to Appalachian students, programs and/or organizations.

Aldridge, of Charlotte, is a senior political science major at Appalachian with minors in sociology and global studies.

On campus, Aldridge has worked extensively with the Appalachian & the Community Together (ACT) office as a member of the Dance Marathon committee, the Alternative Service Experience program as both a participant and co-leader, the Linking Education and Diversity (L.E.A.D.) orientation program and Sustained Dialogue.

Aldridge’s nominator said, “I have witnessed firsthand the dedication that she brings to her role as a leader on campus. She has consistently impressed me with her work ethic, passion, professionalism, and leadership, and has worked tirelessly throughout her college career to impact the educational experiences of students at Appalachian and in her larger community.

“It is apparent that Sarah cares deeply about her knowledge of, and activism around, social justice, politics, and education. Sarah’s drive and dedication make her an ideal student, activist, and an exemplary leader.”

White ’18, of Waxhaw, graduated from Appalachian in May with a Bachelor of Science in health care management.

Of White’s leadership on Appalachian’s campus, his nominator said, “I first met Dylan when he worked as a student orientation undergraduate leader. He did his best to make new students feel that Appalachian could be their home, too. Even more impressive to me is his ability to remember our students by name and engage with them when he sees them on campus.

“He is a frequent visitor to the Advising Center, and he often talks about seeing orientation students on campus and having conversations with them. This seemingly small act makes them feel known and valued, which is especially important when students are transitioning to a campus the size of ASU,” White’s nominator added.

White served as president of the Future Health Care Executives Club, a club for health care management majors at Appalachian. During his time as president, he organized panel discussions, arranged for local health care executives to speak at the club’s meetings and encouraged members to become involved in community service.

“Dylan has purposely worked on his professionalism and leadership skills,” White’s nominator said. “He has gone out of his way to study what makes a good leader. He has actively sought mentors for him and other students, seeking professional growth.”

The Bobby L. Dunnigan Award for Outstanding Service recognizes those students who are employed in the Division of Student Affairs at Appalachian and have distinguished themselves through the scope and quality of their service during their employment.

The award is named for Bobby L. Dunnigan, who served the university in a variety of leadership roles, finishing his career as the director of residence life.

Garst, of Huntersville, is a senior finance and banking and risk management and insurance double major at Appalachian.

“Jon is an outstanding student whose work within the university contributes volumes to the Appalachian Community,” Garst’s nominator commented. “He is kind, professional, organized, and driven, impacting the lives of those around him in the most positive ways.”

Garst is a resident assistant (RA) in Appalachian’s Justice Hall, overseeing a floor of approximately 45 students. He also serves as the administrative coordinator for the RA Council, a group of RAs who meet to better the RA position and make decisions for RAs within University Housing.

In addition to his RA position, Garst runs the analytics for the Mountaineers men’s basketball team, attending every game and providing detailed reports. He has even designed a website for the team solely for analytics.

“I have truly never met a more driven or passionate individual. His passion comes through with his curiosity and wanting to learn more ... he is constantly seeking developmental opportunities for himself and others,” Garst’s nominator said. “His ability to connect with others and build community is incomparable to anything I have ever seen and it is an honor and a privilege to work with him.”

Perez, of Jacksonville, is a junior recreation management major at Appalachian with a minor in sport science and coaching.

Perez has served as an activities programmer for Appalachian’s University Recreation for four consecutive semesters. His role includes training other students and assisting them in executing programming on campus.

“His character of providing the best experience for the participant and the resulting output requires a level of maturity other students actively appreciate and recognize,” Perez’s nominator said. “His ability to work with such a diverse and ever-changing group of students in a positive manner is unparalleled to his peers.”

Additionally, Perez is involved with University Recreation’s Intramural Sports and Club Sports programs. His nominator commented: “At Club Sports events (tournaments or matches) Rene is always present because he is so passionate about the events and being able to help problem-solve anything that arises throughout the event. He has been a supporter, leader and teacher for not only myself, but for the entire Intramural Sports and Club Sports programs.

“I know he is destined to do great things. If he is not working here at University Recreation, he is doing something with Watauga Parks and Recreation or getting various experiences that contribute to his growth as a student and development into a future professional.”

McCall, who is from Wilson, is a senior political science major at Appalachian with a concentration in international and comparative politics and a minor in economics.

Over her past three years at Appalachian, McCall has been a part of the university’s Student Government Association (SGA), serving as a university college senator.

“Her role as a senator has afforded her the opportunity in changing things by devising a bill for the university’s sustainability farm located off campus, interacting with constituency to determine campus needs, and participating on an external community that develops relations between the town of Boone and the university,” McCall’s nominator said of her leadership in the SGA.

In the 2015–16 academic year, McCall served as vice president of incoming global exchange for Appalachian’s AIESEC chapter, an international nonprofit organization operated by students and recent graduates at institutions of higher education across 127 countries and territories. She worked closely with the Boone community and international students to foster a globalized community.

McCall currently works with Boone-based Western Youth Network, where she volunteers to tutor middle school-age children. She also serves as community service chair for the Kappa Delta Sorority chapter at Appalachian.

“Carson is as a developing leader with a caring heart who always has time for others. Her gift is her ability to guide her peers to develop their confidence and make better decisions,” McCall’s nominator shared. “She is passionate about her work, focuses on opportunities and involvement with students on this campus, and how her role changes things for the good of all.”

The Gregory S. Blimling Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Student Affairs is named for Dr. Gregory S. Blimling, who served as vice chancellor for student affairs at Appalachian for 14 years and is a nationally recognized leader and scholar on student affairs.

A focus area for Blimling was to support graduate education and experiential learning through graduate assistantships. Recipients of the award must have, as their primary responsibility, a graduate assistantship in an office in the Division of Student Affairs.

Ausmus ’18, of Pineville, Kentucky, graduated from Appalachian in May with a Master of Arts in college student development.

Ausmus’ award nominator highlighted her work with the Appalachian and Community Together (ACT), stating, “Beyond demonstrating her personal leadership and cultivating that of other individuals, Kaci has worked tirelessly to increase leadership within the ACT student team by taking a hands-on approach to advising the ACT Leadership Team.”

For example, Kaci has spearheaded a systematic feedback session in which the two students who comprise the Leadership Team solicited feedback from every member of the ACT student team. Together they analyzed the data to identify possible changes and Kaci developed and instituted a plan to improve student satisfaction, learning, and connection to ACT.”

While a student at Appalachian, Ausmus was a member of the University Conduct Board, as well as a facilitator in the Tunnel of Oppression — a program designed to bring awareness to national and global social issues through skits and displays, which is hosted by the Appalachian Popular Programming Society.

She also participated in moderator training for the university’s Sustained Dialogue program, which prepares Appalachian Community members to deeply engage in difficult conversations ranging from race, gender identity and religion, to politics and various global challenges.

Smith ’18 is a May graduate of Appalachian’s Master of Arts in college student development program from Needham, Massachusetts.

Smith’s nominator described her as a “team player,” who is “always willing to give 110 percent and challenge herself to learn as much as possible.”

While at Appalachian, Smith was a residence director (RD) for Appalachian State University Housing, serving as a role model for the resident assistants under her charge and students who live in Justice Hall, according to her nominator. She also serves as a co-advisor for the Resident Assistant Council.

“Alison pushes herself to motivate and recognize leaders and students, to help each of them reach their full potential. She not only is a role model for her own resident assistants and students who live in Justice Hall, she volunteered to lead the Spirit Crew during RA training. The Spirit Crew is a group of staff who introduce speakers, facilitate icebreakers, and offer an encouraging word to other RAs throughout training,” Smith’s nominator said.

“In her time here, she has focused on student leadership development, training and development, student advocacy, housing administration, and a quality of life within the halls and on campus as her passion areas on top of her normal coursework and RD duties.”

Beginning in 1977, Berardino “Dino” DiBernardi was involved and provided leadership in almost every department in the Division of Student Affairs (formerly named the Division of Student Development) at Appalachian, with his last role being associate vice chancellor for student development.

The Berardino DiBernardi Leadership and Legacy Award celebrates the traditions and importance of the leadership, service and legacy that DiBernardi emphasized in his varied roles during his 38 years at Appalachian.

Student recipients of the award are selected based on evidence of not only academic success but a strong commitment to community service, university involvement through student leadership, achievement of personal and educational goals, and evidence of leaving Appalachian and the community a better place.

Myers ’18, a Columbia, South Carolina, native, graduated from Appalachian in May with dual degrees — a Bachelor of Science in communication, public relations and a Bachelor of Science in sociology with a concentration in criminology, deviance and law.

Of Myers’ student leadership, her nominator wrote, “She made a positive impression on me from the very beginning of the Ambassador membership process and she has continued to serve as an exemplary Ambassador. The role of a Student Ambassador is quite a full commitment, yet she has found time to dedicate herself to other important initiatives in service to Appalachian and her fellow students.”

In addition to her role as an Appalachian Student Ambassador, Myers served as a volunteer in Appalachian’s Multicultural Center, as well as a student mentor for L.E.A.D., a multicultural student development program designed to support students from historically underrepresented backgrounds at Appalachian and help ease their transition into the university.

While at Appalachian, she was selected to serve on the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board for Diversity Recruitment and Retention and was secretary for the university’s Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. chapter.

“Aubria is committed to the student experience, empowering others, fostering positive relationships, and serving as a leader who actively represents the values of Appalachian, and she embrace’s the Division of Student Affairs’ tagline of ‘care, engage, and transform,’” Myers’ nominator said. “She has a unique ability to actively engage students in their own learning while also providing an environment that encourages good citizenship, diversity, and holistic student engagement.”

Young ’18 graduated from Appalachian in May and holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in accounting. She is a native of Matthews.

“This student has distinguished herself as one of the most capable student leaders at Appalachian. Since her sophomore year, I have had ample opportunity to interact with her and become familiar with her outstanding character, numerous strengths, and servant’s heart. She stood out from the crowd right away because she became involved so early and immersed herself so fully in the college’s programs, including the Walker Fellows, Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), and the Martha Guy Summer Institute (MGSI), among others,” Young’s nominator said.

Young served as vice president of the Walker Fellows, the student ambassadorial program in Appalachian’s Walker College of Business. In this role, she directed and coordinated 30 student leaders.

According to her nominator, Young was instrumental in the first-ever Walker College of Business Service Day, and, after great success with the inaugural service day, she led the expansion of the program to include members of WCOB faculty and staff, as well as business alumni.

During her time at Appalachian, she was a member of Appalachian Students Today and Alumni Tomorrow and served as a university tutor. Young also served as president of BAP, the accounting honors fraternity and one of the most active academic clubs in the Walker College. As president, she led nine of her fellow accounting students cross-country to participate in the national BAP conference, where they took part in sessions on industry trends, networked with peer, and participated in a KPMG International Day of Literacy.

Young’s nominator recognized her lasting contributions to the university, stating, “Emily Young’s service to the students of Appalachian is extraordinary, and her spirit embodies the values of Appalachian. I have no doubt that she will continue to be a significant credit to the Walker College of Business and to the greater university throughout her last year of studies, as well as going forward in her career and life as an Appalachian alumna.”