Campus News

Westminster's Jonathan Galvan Named Utah's 'Student Employee of the Year'

First-year program places student in the best of state

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Krista DeAngelis (801) 832-2682

April 16, 2010

SALT LAKE CITY – As a peer advisor for business and aviation students, Jonathan Galvan made a name for himself as one of the hardest working students Westminster’s START Center has ever seen. His knowledge and expertise, along with his informal communication style, not only earned him the title of Westminster’s “Student Employee of the Year,” but also the SEOTY title for the state of Utah.

This is the first year Westminster College participated the SEOTY competition. The competition recognizes the nation’s most outstanding student employees.

“Jonathan is one of the most outstanding students we have worked with over the last 14 years,” said Amy Gordon, Westminster’s START (Student Transitions, Academic Advising, Registration, Tutoring & Testing) Center senior administrative assistant. “I can’t list everything he’s excelled at while at Westminster – the list would be too long!”

As a peer advisor for the past four years, Galvan has served in a leadership position that required excellent communication skills, as well as attention to detail, maturity, confidentiality and the finesse to work with both students and parents. He also worked with disabilities services, providing clerical support to the program.

“Jonathan has an easy, informal communication style and is very articulate and knowledgeable,” explained Ginny DeWitt, associate director of the START Center. “Students always feel that he has really listened to them and paid attention to their special needs. The START Center is one of the busiest offices on campus, and all the professional staff members have complete confidence in his abilities to advise students, deal with parents and faculty, and provide excellent training to new hires.”

In 2009, Westminster developed a student employment task force to examine student employment more closely. The task force discovered that students employed on campus have a significantly higher retention rate, so the group decided to focus on student employment recognition. The college was later awarded a grant to hold its first SEOTY competition.

“The response from the campus community on the program has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Dana Stearn, SEOTY coordinator. “The staff and faculty members that supervise students really appreciate having a way in which to recognize their employees.”

Galvan was recognized at Westminster’s SEOTY Awards Ceremony April 15. For winning Westminster’s award, he received a certificate and a $150 check. For winning the state-level title, Galvan received a plaque and $50 check.

About Westminster:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information visit http://www.westminstercollege.edu or follow WestminsterSLC on Twitter.