Hunter Library has been named WCU’s Best Student Employment Program for 2018-2019. The award honors campus departments that implement exemplary policies, practices, and procedures to encourage professional development and growth among student workers.
Library student employment units coordinate numerous initiatives throughout the year to educate, support, and recognize student workers.
- Students attend a meet and greet orientation with welcome from Farzaneh Razzaghi, Dean of Library Services.
- Supervisors organize an annual Training and Team Building (TNT) event that introduces students to library services, building safety guidelines, and new technology. Attendees have an opportunity to create relationships with co-workers through team building activities.
- Library staff contribute holiday goodies for treat bags given to students during fall semester finals week .
- Supervisors nominate two students for their outstanding service, highlighting contributions through promotional posters, digital signage, and the library newsletter. A third student is also nominated for the WCU Student Worker of the Year award.
- Library staff celebrate Student Appreciation Day at the end of the academic year by hosting an all-day luncheon with homemade dishes for students.
- Graduating students are recognized with a small gift and honorary book. Honorary books are new titles selected by the students themselves for the library collection with personalized nameplates to commemorate their work.
- Staff members continue to support student endeavors after graduation by providing job references, assisting with graduate school admission, and offering guidance to students interested in librarianship as a career.
The winning department, determined by a five-member panel, receives a one-time $2,500 award and a recognition plaque at the end of the spring semester. Student supervisor Shirley Finegan says the award money will be used to enhance training opportunities and build an incentives program that rewards employees based on their annual evaluations.
This award is so well deserved. The library has been treating its students kindly and professionally for many many years. Kudos to Shirley Finegan and the other student worker supervisors!