08-04-2025
Two standout WT students honored at employment awards
CANYON — Two standout students — one praised as 'the ideal student employee' and another recognized for optimizing critical office operations — were honored Monday at West Texas A&M University's (WT) annual student employment awards ceremony in the Fairly Club at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium.
Senior computer science major Kayden Burgess of Pampa was named WT Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year, and graduate student Mariam Adegbindin, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, earned the Graduate Assistant of the Year honor. Burgess, Adegbindin and 70 other nominated student workers were celebrated during the event.
Burgess is a student manager, event manager and bartender in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center, where he 'is very attentive to all of the details of setting up a space properly,' according to a nomination letter from Chari Hill, JBK assistant director.
'He has excellent critical thinking skills, often seeing areas to improve,' Hill wrote. 'He can quickly troubleshoot problems during events and find solutions. He truly epitomizes the ideal student employee and has a passion for not only the JBK but for WT.'
Hill said Burgess is so well regarded that clients specifically request him as event manager or bartender.
'This honor means that all of the work I put in for the past four years is really paying off,' Burgess said. 'I'm really lucky to have been able to work with the kind of people at the JBK that I have and been in such a welcoming ecosystem such as WT.'
Burgess added that his time in the JBK taught him invaluable lessons in communication and resourcefulness.
'Working in the JBK has helped me refine my leadership skills, which I'll use long after I graduate,' he said. 'The experience of managing events and collaborating with so many different people has challenged me to be more organized and proactive.'
Adegbindin works in the WT Office of Career and Professional Services, where she was hired to help manage and utilize large amounts of data. She 'developed gorgeous and functional data dashboards that allow for more streamlined data gathering and analysis,' according to a nomination letter from Jessi Barrientos, senior career services coordinator.
'Her work will have lasting positive impacts on students at WTAMU as it allows our department to assess and advocate for services that better meet student needs,' Barrientos wrote.
Barrientos also commended Adegbindin for improving the office's free headshot service and the Professional Clothing Closet.
'I'm very shy, I'm very quiet, and getting this kind of honor makes me see that, even still, the work I do kind of speaks for itself and is making a difference,' Adegbindin said.
Adegbindin added that gaining hands-on experience with data analytics has boosted her confidence.
'I came here wanting to expand my knowledge, and now I get to apply it in ways that help other students succeed,' she said. 'WT truly feels like a home away from home.'
WT President Walter V. Wendler thanked the winners and nominees for their dedication.
'Your work, alongside staff and faculty, is essential to fulfilling the mission of WT,' Wendler said. 'You are an essential part of, not only the classroom through your studies, but the business of WT through your student employment.'
In addition to the top two awards, five other students received special honors:
Career and Self Development Award: Clayton Stevenson, senior animal science major from Earth
Communication Award: Avery Feldman, senior agricultural media and communication major from Raton, New Mexico
Critical Thinking Award: Celina Pinela, senior mechanical engineering major from Bovina
Innovation and Technology Award: Sydnee Hendrick, senior graphic design major from White Deer
Teamwork Award: Paityn Nicholson, junior agricultural media and communication major from Melrose, New Mexico
Winners were chosen by a selection committee of WT staff and faculty, including representatives from the Office of Career and Professional Development and University Recruitment. The annual ceremony celebrates the integral role student employees play in fulfilling the university's mission.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Two WT students receive top honors at annual student employment awards
