Hospitality graduate assistant wins Student Employee of the Year

This year’s Student Employee of the Year Award was presented on April 15 to Mihaela Plugarasu, a graduate assistant and public relations liaison for the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

“This is like winning the Oscars, thank you so much,” said Plugarasu. “I would like to say thank you to Dr. Diann Newman, director of Student Services at the School of Hospitality, who nominated me; my professors; and the School of Journalism and Mass Communications where I am a graduate student in global strategic communications.

“They really and truly prepared me for the job of being a communicator and a global Worlds Ahead Graduate Ambassador.”

Mihaela Plugarasu with President Rosenberg at the Student Employee of the Year Awards.

Plugarasu helps implement the university’s communication strategy, led the very first social media task force meeting, has been involved in nominating faculty for awards in our community and volunteered to teach an English for Speakers of Other Languages last semester to international students.

“She best embodies service excellence, and best embodies a Worlds Ahead attitude,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg.

The second annual Student Employee of the Year Awards (SEOTY) cap a week of celebrations that recognize student employees who are seeking their academic degree while gaining invaluable work experience.

“Celebrating the excellence of our students is also celebrating the excellence that our faculty and staff brings to campus every day, the students being the backbone and heart of the institution,” said Rosenberg. “You know and I know that every student counts and that’s why we are here, to provide students with a Worlds Ahead education.”

FIU employs about 2,000 students as student assistants or through the Federal Work Study program and 115 of those student employees were nominated from departments across the university for this year’s SEOTY award.

The recipient of the SEOTY award is chosen based on who best embodies service excellence, dedication, and whose academic achievements remain exceptional.

“I hope I am an example to all FIU students,” said Plugarasu. “And I hope to be part of the FIU family for a very, very long time.”

Student Employee of the Year: Mihaela Plugarasu, graduate assistant, public relations liaison, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

1^st runner up: Viktor El-Saieh, Office of University Sustainability

2^nd runner up: Karen Iglesias, College of Nursing and Health Sciences

3^rd runner up: James May, Center for Excellence in Writing

4^th runner up: Victoria Morales, Residential Life, Everglades Hall

–Denise Rodriguez