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Owens Student Employment Program Sees Sharp Growth, Honors Top Workers

Owens Student Employees of the Year, left to right, Nancy Gabr, Letitia Hatch, Ron Riccardi, Chalisa Rocker and Mel Fisk.

Student employees fill a variety of vital roles at offices across Owens Community College, and in March, the college honored the 93 students who served as student employees during the 2025-26 academic year during an appreciation week that featured virtual and in-person events.

“Student employment really thrived during this academic year. Going from 12 offices to 23 hiring students shows just how critical a role they play in keeping Owens running smoothly, and we were happy to celebrate them for it,” said Alan Lepard, Job Location and Development Coordinator.

Student employment positions are open to currently enrolled students in good academic standing and include both standard employment and Federal Work-Study programs.

The appreciation week culminated in the naming five Student Employees of the Year in different categories. Supervisors in the different departments nominated the students and representatives from the Office of Student Services selected the winners.

Ron Riccardi, a Welding major, was named Outstanding Critical Thinker for his work in Veterans Services. According to Veterans Services manager Matthew Taylor and processor Daphne Kinkade, Riccardi elevated the office’s efficiency and has become a “critical link in our compliance chain.”

The Outstanding Leadership award went to Nancy Gabr, who works as the peer advisor for International Student Services. A Mathematic Concentration major, Gabr was nominated by director of Student Services Marcos Gomez and manager of International Student Services Mounir Rafik. They noted the crucial role she serves in the department and her “remarkable impact through her professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment to our international student community.”

Chalisa Rocker, an assistant in the Learning Commons who is a Psychology Transfer Pathway major, won the Outstanding Community Service award. She was nominated by Annette Staunton, Tutoring manager. She also mentioned Rocker’s roles as president of both the Black Student Union and Honors Club.

“Chalisa is dedicated to empowering others and strengthening the community she serves,” Staunton said.

The Outstanding Innovation and Technology award went to Mel Fisk, who has worked as an office assistant in Career and Transfer Services for 18 months. An Electrical major, Fisk was nominated by Career and Transfer Services manager Angie McGinnis, who noted her work in creating new databases and worksheets to aid students preparing to transfer to four-year institutions.

“She has established herself as a valuable member of the team and continues to make significant contributions,” McGinnis said.

Letitia Hatch won the Outstanding Diversity and Inclusion award for her work as a connection mentor in the Center for Campus and Community Connections. Hatch, a Psychology Transfer Pathway major, was nominated by Krista Kiessling, director of the Center for Campus and Community Connections.

“Letitia has made an intentional effort to identify herself as a solid and fair leader among the connection mentors,” Kiessling said. “Letitia has consistently taken every opportunity for additional training and credentialing whenever available. … Through role modeling, Letitia demonstrates how connection mentors can develop additional skills and build professional networks that will support them far beyond Owens.”

Student Employment at Owens has grown over the last 2 ½ years, with total applications increasing from 208 in the 2022-23 academic year to 345 this year. The total openings have nearly doubled, from 40 to more than 70.

With openings across more than 20 campus offices, student employment offers a range of opportunities for students looking to gain experience while earning wages. Students are encouraged to search job openings and apply at owens.edu/employment. They can also learn more about job search strategies and find resume templates at owens.edu/career/resume.