The University of Denver’s 2,500+ student employees form the backbone of the University, gaining important professional development experience while supporting the entire community. In recognition of their outstanding contributions and achievements, the University coordinates an annual selection process to choose our undergraduate and graduate Student Employees of the Year, as well as our Supervisor of the Year!
In an indication of just how important the student employment relationship can be, we had 79 incredibly strong nominations for 93 community members this year! These nominations showed just how much our student employees and supervisors have shown up for one another across a string of difficult years, displaying incredible teamwork skills as they navigated not only the ongoing crisis of a global pandemic, but also issues of societal injustice, leadership turnover, and personal challenges.
The Student Employment team invites all student employees, supervisors and supporters (including family and friends) to celebrate with us as we honor our Student Employees of the Year, Skyler Kasnoff and Nayeli Aguirre, and our Supervisor of the Year, Anthony Jones, and recognize all of this year’s nominees!
Skyler Kasnoff, Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year
Skyler is a Geography and Public Policy major at the University of Denver, studying urban climate resilience and sustainable policy. His goal is to pursue architecture, and bridge design, science, and climate stewardship throughout his career. As a Denver native, spending time with his friends in the mountains is fundamental to his idea of a good time and staying motivated to pursue this difficult work. Skyler is proud and grateful to be a part of the Marsico Institute at the University of Denver.
Skyler’s supervisor Daniela Alvares-Vargas wrote: “His hard work is exemplified in his contributions to our institute’s goal of developing and sustaining LearningTrajectories.org, referred to hereafter as [LT]2, a website tool designed to support early childhood practitioners in providing young children with rigorous and equitable math learning. Skyler spearheaded the design, development, and continuous improvement of the [LT]2 Dashboard project.
Most importantly, Skyler embodies an empathetic and community-strengths focused mindset to develop solutions with the people that the solutions are meant to serve. His work has consistently been driven by a desire to center the voices of the communities he works with and to create spaces that are inclusive and accessible.”
Nayeli Aguirre, Graduate Student Employee of the Year
Nayeli is a graduate student at the Daniels College of Business pursuing a degree in Accounting Technology & Analytics. She has been involved with the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Program since 2021 and currently serves as the Senior MOS TA Coordinator. In this role, Nayeli ensures the smooth operation of labs and provides support to both students and TAs, helping the team stay well-prepared to teach effectively.
Nayeli’s supervisor Nadine Balabanoff wrote: “Nayeli has gone above and beyond in her role as a TA Coordinator by consistently demonstrating exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership. She has streamlined communication between TAs and the MOS program, ensuring that everyone stays informed and aligned. Through her efforts, she has not only made an immediate positive impact but have also laid a foundation for sustainable improvement of the MOS program, leaving a lasting legacy that will benefit future cohorts.”
Anthony Jones, Supervisor of the Year
My journey in education and social work is rooted in a passion for community, advocacy, and meaningful learning experiences. As a first-generation college student and the son of a Mexican immigrant, I earned my first master’s degree from Jackson State University, an HBCU in Jackson, Mississippi, where I was mentored by exceptional women of color who were also incredible professors. That experience, combined with my dedication to supporting underserved students in the classroom, led me to pursue a second master’s degree in School Psychology at the Morgridge College of Education, which I completed in 2023.
Currently, I serve as the Assistant Program Director at the Graduate School of Social Work. I find meaning in my work through mentoring students and organizing programs that support academic and professional success. I was both surprised and honored to receive the Supervisor of the Year Award, and I am grateful to Emma Pedersen for the nomination.
Outside of work, I am a musician, a proud homeowner and active member of my Aurora community, and a budding at-home chef. I sing and play guitar and I’m an active member of The Spirituals Project Choir at DU, a community organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing spirituals. I love gathering with my Neighborhood Improvement Association of Morris Heights for weekly community dinners to discuss ways we can uplift our neighbors’ voices and drive meaningful change. On weekends, you’ll often find me at Mi Pueblo Market, buying ingredients to recreate the meals my late mother used to make—keeping her love close in the food I make for my friends and family.
Anthony’s student employee Emma Pederson wrote: “Anthony has had a profound impact on my professional growth, and I deeply appreciate the way he has supported and challenged me. He does not shy away from having challenging conversations, whether about social work or broader professional issues and consistently pushes me to critically examine my perspectives. This has helped me grow not just in my knowledge, but in my ability to approach conversations with a more nuanced, reflective mindset. His willingness to engage in these discussions have been essential to my development as both a social worker and a person.”
Congratulations as well to our other nominees this year!
NOMINEES:
| Undergraduates | Graduates | Supervisors |
| Aidan Perez | Aidan Smith | Alison McCarty |
| Ana Julia Rodrigues Alves | Carmel Stralen | Allie Tookmanian |
| Arianna Rojas-Ortega | Haydee Ducay-Fajardo | Amanda Muller |
| Ashley Quezada Flores | Jeremy Van Denack | Amanda Thompson |
| Caleb J. Smith | Katarina Krull | Anne Conzemius Thompson |
| Clara Duong | Kereine Ngoungui-Malemba | Anthony Holder |
| Crystal Rojas Carbajal | Lidia Palmese | Audrey Townsend |
| Dylan Lindsey | Natasha Zakin | Bernadette Tynan |
| Gus Emerson | Nikos Lazanis | Beth Goad |
| Iris Stanfill | Ponce Shepard | Bob Kumagai |
| Isla Saylor | Prabhu Perumal | Casey Dinger |
| Mireya Amador | Robert Monson | Cedric Asensio |
| Ryker Lott | Sadie Rogers | Damary Beltran |
| Trang (Julie) Do | Shammah Ameh | Damon Vine |
| Xiaozhen (Sandra) Lin | Dana Cowper | |
| Yating Zhu | Daniela Alvarez-Vargas | |
| Darlene Squires | ||
| Eric Duran | ||
| Erica Jorgenson | ||
| Erich Kushner | ||
| Ethel Swartley | ||
| Garrett Roberts | ||
| Ilana Blum | ||
| J. Todd Blankenship | ||
| Jeremy Vera | ||
| Jorge Espinoza | ||
| Joseph Carfagnini | ||
| Judith E. Fox | ||
| Karina Condra | ||
| Kelly Elliott | ||
| Kelsey Compton | ||
| Kristina Hesbol | ||
| Kyle Peterson | ||
| Lainie Fickau | ||
| Leah McFail | ||
| Leslie Alvarez | ||
| Liam Westwood | ||
| Meagan Callahan | ||
| Nicole Cortez Nevarez | ||
| Rachael Williams | ||
| Robyn Thomas Pitts | ||
| Sarabeth Wolbrom | ||
| Stevie Lee | ||
| Sunil Kumar | ||
| Susan Goodwin | ||
| Trapper Lee |
