Today's Update: Monday, April 13, 2026

April 13, 2026

Dear Student Life team, 

For someone like me who believes in the power of Appreciation, this time of year feels especially meaningful. We’ve just wrapped up Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week, and now we’re celebrating Student Employee Appreciation Week - another opportunity to recognize a group whose contributions shape so much of what we do. 

Student Life employs more than 4,600 student employees, with more than 15,000 working across the university. Many of us interact with these students every day, and we see firsthand the energy, insight and dedication they bring to our operations. Our student employees often balance academics, work and personal commitments - and still show up with dedication and heart. Your presence, guidance and encouragement matter more to them than you may realize.

There are a number of appreciation events scheduled throughout Student Life over this week, including several planned for here in the Ohio Union. Those gestures are a nice way to say thank you for all they do, and I’d love it if you would add your personal gratitude to the student employees you encounter. Your kind words of encouragement and thanks go a long way to foster our culture commitments of appreciation, care, connection and support.  

If you’re looking for an easy way to send a note of appreciation, you can also use kind.osu.edu, a simple tool that allows anyone in the university community to send kudos or a message of thanks. 

Just as important as our words of gratitude are the ways we support student employees in their day-to-day experience. The Student Employment Experience (SEE) program offers practical tools that help us do exactly that - from quick GROW conversations to helping students reflect on the skills they’re building. SEE aligns closely with our culture commitments by helping us create environments where students feel seen, supported and connected. 

As we honor our student employees this week, I hope you’ll consider how small, intentional moments - whether through SEE practices or a simple expression of appreciation - can make a meaningful difference in their experience.   

Thank you for joining me in being Scarlet and Grateful for the contributions of student employees.  

 

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University