The Winter 2026 Student Employees Achieve (SEA) Badge Program concluded with a dedicated cohort of student employees who committed their time and energy to strengthening their professional skills. Beginning in January 2026, student employees from departments across campus participated in the Office of Student Employment’s SEA Badge Program, engaging in four weeks of workshops focused on key workplace competencies. Throughout the program, participants explored topics such as workplace accessibility and technology, managing workplace conflict, leadership, and transferable skills. Many of these sessions were led by campus experts and partners, providing students with valuable perspectives and practical tools they can apply in their current roles and future careers.
The SEA Badge Program connects student employment with the University of Denver’s 4D Experience, as well as provide the opportunity to gain experience applying the NACE career readiness competencies within their campus roles and learn how to translate those skills to opportunities beyond graduation. Through guided reflection, discussion, and skill-building activities, participants strengthen their ability to recognize and communicate the value of their student employment experiences. Ultimately, the program supports students as they work toward several key outcomes:
- Identifying how they are developing career-ready skills through their student employment roles
- Recognizing connections between their on-campus work and future career paths
- Building confidence in articulating their skills and experiences to others
- Developing a stronger sense of professional identity and future goals
Below are spotlights on several student employees who participated in the Winter 2026 SEA Badge Program cohort. Through their dedication, thoughtful reflection, and active engagement in the program, these students demonstrated a strong commitment to developing their professional skills. Their experiences highlight the impact of the SEA Badge Program and showcase how student employees are leveraging their campus roles to grow as emerging professionals. If you would like to learn more about their experiences, feel free to connect with them through LinkedIn!
Jo Daggupati
LinkedIn: Jo Daggupati
Introduce yourself!
I’m Jo Daggupati, pursuing MS in Health Informatics with a concentration in Health Data Science at the College of Professional Studies, graduating in June 2026. Professionally, I’m an ACRP-certified clinical research professional, now expanding into data science, machine learning, and AI.
What is your student employment job, and what have you learned there?
I work as a Student Educational Technologist at the Daniels College of Business, where I support Canvas LMS adoption, test course components for functionality and accessibility, and validate student evaluation and grade distribution data. Through this role, I’ve learned that ed-tech work mirrors clinical systems work, where data integrity, user training, and stakeholder communication are the same skills in a different setting.
What was the most interesting thing you learned in the SEA Badge Program?
The most eye-opening takeaway was realizing how seamlessly the NACE career readiness competencies weave into everyday student work. I had been refining my professionalism, technology, and communication skills all along, I just hadn’t named them. The SEA badge gave me that language, and with it, a new level of confidence to step into any interview and articulate my value with clarity and conviction.
What is your career goal moving forward?
My goal is to land a Health Informatics role where I can do what I do best: bridge the gap between healthcare and technology. I’m building a career at the intersection of health informatics, data science, and AI, turning clinical data into smarter decisions, stronger research, and better patient outcomes.
Can you share a specific moment or experience in your job that helped you grow professionally?
While validating a large batch of grade distribution data, I spotted a formatting inconsistency that could have skewed the entire report and turned it into an opportunity by proposing a standardized template fix. That moment was a meaningful step in my professional growth, shifting my mindset from simply executing work to owning the quality of the process, a mindset I now carry into every project.
Amanda Mutambarade
LinkedIn: Amanda Mutambarade
Introduce yourself!
My name is Amanda Mutambarade, originally from Zimbabwe. I’ve journeyed from studying political science and international relations to working in finance and now building a career in cybersecurity. As a grad student, I’m fascinated by how AI, governance, risk, and compliance come together to shape responsible technology. In my professional roles, I thrive at the intersection of people, policy, and innovation. I’m all about blending people-centered work with tech that actually protects and empowers communities.
What is your student employment job, and what have you learned there?
At DU, I’m the Engagement Assistant who helps students, alumni, and faculty feel seen and supported. Working at the Burwell Center has taught me that while technology makes life easier on almost every front, the human touch is always the cherry on top i.e. the big smile at the front desk, the moment you pause to listen to someone’s story, or the small kindness that makes their day feel lighter. Every shift reminds me that even as I build a career in tech, empathy and presence are the real superpowers that keep communities connected.
What have you gained from completing the Student Employees Achieve badge this fall?
The Winter SEA Badge Leadership module taught me one of the most important lessons in my professional journey: when faced with a problem, walking away isn’t always the solution. It’s easy to say, “I choose peace” or “I’ll be the bigger person,” but sometimes that becomes an excuse to avoid difficult conversations. Through the program, I learned that facing challenges with humility, poise, and clarity is what truly builds character and it’s often what earns you the most respect. Instead of retreating, I now understand the value of addressing issues directly, thoughtfully, and with emotional maturity.
What is your career goal moving forward?
After my Denver City Trek last week, I realized something powerful about my career: the sky is truly the limit. Being in those spaces showed me that with the right connections, mentorship, and networks, I can step into rooms I never imagined, rooms where decisions are made, innovations are shaped, and communities are protected. Moving forward, I want to build a career at the intersection of technology and public policy, using cybersecurity, AI governance, and GRC to create systems that are safe, ethical, and equitable for the people who rely on them every day.
How has your student employment experience shaped your understanding of your future career?
My student employment experience has shown me that no matter how advanced technology becomes, people will always be at the center of every system, process, and decision. Working as an Engagement Assistant has taught me the value of listening deeply, offering a warm welcome, and creating a space where others feel seen and those lessons have shaped how I view my future in tech. It made me realize that a career in cybersecurity, AI governance, or GRC isn’t just about frameworks and controls; it’s about protecting real communities, understanding human behavior, and leading with empathy. This role grounded me in the truth that the best technologists are the ones who never lose the human touch.
Jaden Kauh
LinkedIn: Jaden Kauh
Introduce yourself!
My name is Jaden Kauh and I am a senior doing a double major in Business Management and Sociology. I am a driven student who is focused on graduating and getting a job after school.
What is your student employment job, and what have you learned there?
I work as an Operations Assistant for the Community Commons as a part of the Division of Student Affairs. At this job I have learned a lot about customer service and operations which I believe is going to be very valuable in my future career.
What have you gained from completing the Student Employees Achieve badge this fall?
From completing the SEA badge, I have learned how I can turn my on-campus job experiences into tools that I can use in my job search.
What is your career goal moving forward?
Moving forward, my career goal is to embrace leadership opportunities and continue to improve my skills as a professional.
How has your student employment experience shaped your understanding of your future career?
My on-campus job has shaped my understanding of my future career because it has made me realize that I am happiest when I get to help other people and see that I made their day a little bit better.
