Celebrate Student Employees at USM
National Student Employee Appreciation Week | April 12–18, 2026
Join us in recognizing the 900+ student employees who power our campus every day.
Each year, the National Student Employment Association designates the second complete week in April as National Student Employee Appreciation Week (NSEAW) — a time to celebrate the value that student employees and student employment professionals bring to our campuses and communities.
The week serves as an opportunity to recognize students who go above and beyond while balancing the demands of college life, to thank the employers and supervisors who create meaningful part-time opportunities and make student employment programs thrive, and to shine a light on the vital role student employment plays in the higher education experience.
At the University of Southern Maine, the impact of on-campus student employment is felt across every corner of our community.
We employ over 900 students in more than 1,300 jobs spanning all three campuses — in our libraries, athletic facilities, academic departments, research labs, IT help desks, and so much more. Our student employees do meaningful, mission-driven work that strengthens the university and enriches the experience of every student who walks through our doors.
What’s happening around campus?
In addition to the various ways departments will be celebrating their student employees this week, the Office of Campus Student Employment is sponsoring the following:
Coffee On Us!
Student employees are encouraged to visit the Campus Student Employment Office in the McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success to receive a coupon for a free coffee redeemable at on-campus Sodexo locations!
Student Employee Raffle
All student employees will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win USM swag! Winners will be announced each day of National Student Employee Appreciation Week.
Supervisors: How to recognize your student employees
There are so many meaningful ways to recognize the students who contribute to your department. Here are a few ideas to inspire your celebration this week.
- Consider whether any of your students have truly excelled in their role — if so, inviting them back next semester with a promotion to the next level is a powerful way to show your investment in their growth (contact us for assistance with that process!). A letter of commendation is another thoughtful and lasting gesture that students can carry with them long after graduation.
- Sometimes the most meaningful recognition comes from the people students work alongside every day. Encourage full-time staff to write personal notes sharing how their student colleagues make a difference in their work. You might also create a department bulletin board featuring photos, staff notes, and fun facts about each student — their career goals, favorite movies, unique talents, and more.
- For a more visible form of recognition, take photos to share on your website or social media, highlighting the great work your students do for the department. And don’t underestimate the power of simply celebrating together — a department potluck is a wonderful way to bring the whole team, students included, into the spirit of the week.
- Looking for something a little more personal? Give each student a “Friendship Plant” — a small cutting from an office plant, potted and decorated as a token of appreciation. It’s a living reminder of their time with your team that they can take with them wherever they go.