It’s national student worker week, and that means one thing: It’s time to honor the very best of our wonderful CUW student workers!
Each year we choose four of the best of the best for this award. Students are nominated by faculty and staff from than 800 student workers, based on the following criteria:
- Exemplifies a strong, Christ-like character
- Shows enthusiasm, dedication, initiative, and reliability in service to their department
- Performs excellent work
- Willingly goes above and beyond expectations
- Has a mind-set of service to others
Congratulations to this year’s winners (shown below with their certificates of recognition and gift bag of prizes)! Thank you for all you do to help make Concordia University Wisconsin such a special place!
Emma Kaiser (’26) | Student Ambassador
Shawano, Wisconsin | Business Communication with Pscyhology Minor
Emma was nominated by Cassandra Chmielewski, Assistant Director of Admissions for Guest Experience.
Since taking on the role of Lead Student Ambassador, Emma has started and accomplished several impactful initiatives. The first was an idea Emma brought to our office last spring. One of her first ideas was to organize a Student Ambassadors retreat at CUW’s Whispering Pines, which she proposed to our office last spring as an opportunity for team development and bonding. As a result, the Events & Visits Team hosted our first-ever Student Ambassadors retreat this fall, with Emma playing a key role in developing and leading a phone training activity. The retreat was a great success and will be an annual event that we look forward to each year.
Fun Fact about Emma: “My car’s horn sounds like the sound effect Roadrunner makes from the Looney Tunes cartoon!”
Melena Weber (’27) | Academic Office
St. Charles, Missouri | Mass Communication
Melena was nominated by Laurie Doty, Administrative Assistant in the Academic Office.
Melena is able to perform her duties exceptionally well and with little direct supervision. Several administrators in the Academic Office have asked Melena to tackle various additional projects, including research. Melena is very willing (actually excited) to assist in these. She completes the projects in record time and presents her research findings in a professional and user-friendly format. When Melena completes her general duties for the day, she finds additional tasks to take care of. She is an excellent student and is actively involved in Concordia Crew. In summary, Melena is an exceptional student worker and a joy to be around. We know she will continue to be successful in whatever avenues she pursues after her university career.
Fun Fact about Melena: “I’ve read over 115 books in a single year!”
Emily Hahn (’27) | Hesed R.D.
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Rehabilitation Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy
Emily was nominated by Camille Ffrench, Campus & Community Engagement Specialist.
Emily often checks in with her residents outside of scheduled hours to offer emotional support, encouragement, or just a listening ear. She takes the lead in organizing creative and inclusive suite activities that help students build friendships and confidence When challenges arise, Emily responds with calm, compassion, and clear communication—often helping to de-escalate situations and mediate with respect.
Fun Fact about Emily: “My first job was at a baseball stadium!”
Mikayla Allsop (’25) | Veteran Services
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Marketing
Mikayla was nominated by Christy Call, Director of Strategic Partnerships.
Mikayla saw that the need existed for a therapy dog for Veteran Services. She had worked with a dog training company in the past, and knew what was required. She made the suggestion, and then wrote up a proposal to be shared ultimately with the Executive Team. She then had her own dog, Gracie, go through training to become certified so that she could fulfill this role on a pilot basis. Gracie was so well received, and made such an impact on students, that fundraising occurred to be able to secure a University Therapy Dog for Veteran Services. Trixie, the Veteran Services Dog, is at CUW directly because of Mikayla’s interest and care for her fellow student veterans along with her vision and execution.
Fun Fact about Mikayla: “I am a veteran of the U.S. Navy!”
Want in?
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world. To learn more about what makes CUW so special, click the link below.