During National Student Employment Week, Dordt University recognizes Student Employees of the Year

April 11 – 14 is National Student Employment Appreciation Week, and for the first time, Dordt University is recognizing two student employees of the year. These student employees were nominated by their supervisors for their excellent work ethic and drive to accomplish their on-campus employment work well. Of the 750+ student employees who work at Dordt, 17 students were nominated, and two winners were chosen:

• Alexis Bowe, a senior social work major from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who works for the Recreation Center and athletic events
• Bode Jansen, a junior accounting major from Sunnyside, Washington, who works for the Print and Mail Center

Bowe and Jansen each received a $500 payroll bonus. The remaining 15 student employees who were nominated received a certificate of recognition and a $50 gift card to the Campus Store. They were recognized at an award ceremony held on Wednesday, April 12 in the Science and Technology Center.

Assistant Athletic Director Trent Roose says that this year, Bowe worked nearly 20 hours each week and helped to oversee more than 200 community and athletic events, including Taste of Sioux Center, GPAC Championships, NAIA opening round, and Hoops Happening.

“Alexis’s work has impacted every Dordt student, department, and community member that uses or attends an event in the Rec Center,” says Roose. “She adapts to what needs to be completed in our day-to-day tasks, from setting up to tearing down an event. She seeks advice and feedback while also demonstrating confidence in leading others with quick decision-making.”

Bowe says she appreciates the people she has met through her work at the Rec Center and with athletic events. “I have made some of my closest friends on campus through my work at the Rec Center, whether that be from working alongside them as coworkers or simply making conversation with them as they come through the Rec Center,” she says. “The people I serve and work with make it easy for me to enjoy my job, and they inspire me to put a smile on my face and be that friendly person at the Rec Center front desk.”

Jansen has worked for the Print and Mail Center for two years, averaging 10 to 12 hours per week. He takes on all types of tasks, such as delivering mail, fixing on-campus printers, creating Excel spreadsheets to account for products, and more. James Rylaarsdam, director of the Print and Mail Center, says that Jansen will tackle any problem or task set in front of him.

“He uses every ounce of that time to learn something or make something better at the Print and Mail Center,” adds Rylaarsdam. “His work ethic is unmatched. Every time he comes to work, Bode is early and gets to work right away.”

“What I appreciate most about working in the Print and Mail Center is that I’m always working on new tasks,” says Jansen. “James, my supervisor, does a great job of making sure that every day is different. I’m thankful for the skills and life lessons that I’ve learned and will be able to take with me as I move on from Dordt.”

Director of Student Employment Kyle Achterhoff says that a selection committee evaluated nominations based on factors like hours worked, number of semesters in the position, how students went above and beyond the job description, and the commitment level to the work.

Student employment at Dordt not only makes college more affordable for students, it provides students with mentorship opportunities as students build relationships with their supervisors. Students can also find work experiences that are relevant to their desired career path, such as a student studying graphic design who works for the Marketing and Communication Office doing graphic design work. Student employment also provides students with a chance to see how Dordt works behind-the-scenes, which helps to keep them engaged in the community, adds Achterhoff.

“We want students to understand the importance of their work on campus. Their work along with their academic work prepares them for their professional life after Dordt,” adds Achterhoff. “We want students to know that they are appreciated and valued, and so we are thrilled to recognize this group of students as part of Student Employee Appreciation Week.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.