2015 Student of the Year Winners
Off-campus student: Danielle Valdes, job coach and mentor for individuals with developmental disabilities, Washington Initiative for Supported Employment (WISE).
In her position, Danielle helps students and adults experiencing disabilities learn and maintain skills that allow them to be active members of their community. This role can present many challenges and requires flexibility, patience, and the ability to think creatively.
In his nomination, WISE Program Manager Dan Rutten says Danielle’s initiative and investment in her clients with disabilities is what sets her apart. “Danielle becomes very invested in the individuals she supports, building relationships formed around trust and understanding,” wrote Rutten. “When concerns regarding client safety came up, Danielle was willing to take time out of her day to attend meetings with support staff to help come up with solutions. When transportation concerns arise for a client, Danielle has been willing and able to navigate these issues independently, something that I do not require of our work study employees.”
Rutten has high praise for Danielle. “Over the three years that Danielle has worked for WISE, she has shown not only a strong commitment to her position but an exemplary level of compassion, care, and consideration for those she is working with. The world needs more people like Danielle Valdes.”
On-campus student: Kelsey Chase, editorial assistant, University Communications
Kelsey’s main role involves proofreading, editing, fact-checking, and writing for numerous projects in SPU’s University Communications office. Since she was hired in January 2014, SPU’s Response magazine Managing Editor Hannah Notess says she has consistently distinguished herself as an outstanding writer, thinker, and editor. “On several occasions, we have been able to make use of Kelsey’s exceptionally strong research background for fact-checking and historical archives-based work, producing stories for Response magazine that would have really been impossible without her,” wrote Notess in her nomination. “Her contributions have raised the level of excellence across a number of University Communications projects, and I consider her a valuable member of our team.”
University Communications Web Communications Manager Wendy Jones also has high praise for Kelsey’s work. “Her writing, attention to detail, and fact checking are of the highest quality,” added Jones. “The high level of quality in her work is more representative of a staff member’s skill level.”
Notess sees a bright future for the University Communication editorial assistant. “I have no doubt that, one day, Kelsey will be the sort of person ‘headhunted’ by executive search firms for her fantastic talents, professional demeanor, and leadership qualities.”
Posted: Thursday, April 16, 2015