Blue Springs Student Named UCM 2024-25 Student Employee of the Year

From left, Syerra Burnor of Airport Operations, Linda Alviar of the Muleskinner and Joni Roberts of the
Success Advising Center were named the top three student employees at UCM for the 2024-25 academic year.

 

A Blue Springs, Missouri, student was named the 2024-25 Student Employee of the Year at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) during a reception hosted by the Office of Human Resources on April 16.

The awards ceremony took place during National Student Employment Week, which recognizes and celebrates the nearly 900 student employees who work for the university. UCM President Roger Best presented the awards.

“This week of activities and the banquet have been one of my favorite traditions on campus because they bring us back to the heart of our mission: our students,” said Cory Wicker, associate vice president of Human Resources. “Moments like this in higher ed remind us that our student employees are not just supporting the university, they are helping shape it. Through their dedication, leadership and resilience, they consistently redefine what’s possible here at UCM. When our students shine, the entire UCM community shines with them.”

Linda Alviar, a sophomore double-majoring in Digital Media Production and Graphic Design, took home the first place award. She is the managing editor of the Muleskinner, UCM’s student newspaper. 

In second place was Syerra Burnor, a Graphic Design and Professional Pilot double-major from Knob Noster, Missouri, who works for Airport Operations. In third place was Joni Roberts, a senior from Oak Grove, Missouri, studying Speech Pathology who works in the Success Advising Center. 

The top three winners each received a plaque and a cash award made possible by sponsors. Alviar received $500 sponsored by Associated Electric Cooperative Inc., Burnor received $250 sponsored by McConnell & Associates and Roberts received $100 sponsored by Questec.

The top selections for the Student Employee of the Year Awards were based on nominations submitted by faculty and staff members who represent the campus units where each student is employed. In naming the honorees, committee members considered criteria related to community service, diversity and inclusion, leadership, technology and innovation, and critical thinking.

Alviar has worked for the Muleskinner since October 2023 and plays an integral part in overseeing every story the paper publishes, from conception to final grammar edits. In her nomination, colleagues said that through her stories and work ethic, Alviar has set a high standard of excellence in the student newsroom that will last for years to come. 

Last year, the Muleskinner was awarded an opportunity grant called “Gear to Hear,” which allowed the publication to purchase audio equipment to create recordings of its online news stories. The idea was proposed by Alviar, who helped write the grant application and now oversees the audio recording process. Her initiative has helped make the Muleskinner’s content accessible to audiences who are visually impaired. She also played a key role in the newspaper’s Backpack Journalism project in partnership with Amtrak.

Alviar is a strong leader who is willing to step up when needed, motivates editors and writers, and approaches everyone in the newsroom with a kind, thoughtful, welcoming and inclusive attitude.

She not only manages all of the section editors to ensure the paper is published on time, but she also writes articles, edits all stories, travels on weekends for Backpack Journalism, and takes on administrative newsroom tasks, all while being a full-time student and handling another job with the International Student Organization.

As the first-place winner at UCM, Alviar’s application was also submitted to the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators (MASEA). At the state level, she was named a runner-up for Student Employee of the Year in the Diversity category. She will also receive $50 from this award. 

Burnor has worked for Airport Operations since December 2020. Burnor’s nominator said she is a premier example of a true leader, a quality she displays through her work at dispatch, where she is the most tenured student employee. She has become extremely familiar with the airport’s scheduling administration software and now trains new employees to use it. 

Flight operations at Skyhaven Airport is a fast-paced environment, yet colleagues say Burnor tackles issues in an assessing, calm manner that inspires confidence in those around her. From aircraft allocation to directing planes to and from hangars to handling unexpected radio calls, Burnor consistently demonstrates her ability to be capable and dependable. She also helped create a new framework for aircraft allocation.

Burnor is the UCM Flight Team captain and helps organize multiple fly-in events at Skyhaven throughout the year. She extends that help to Alpha Eta Rho, the aviation fraternity, even though she is not a member. Burnor often volunteers to design advertising materials for campus events and student organizations, even those that aren’t related to aviation.

She has worked hard to encourage female students to join the Flight Team, which is especially important in a male-dominated field. In her nomination, Burnor’s colleagues said she strives to serve as a role model for the young women who come through the program. 

Roberts is a Senior Success Coach in the Success Advising Center (SAC), where she has worked since August 2022. She supports almost 300 students, meeting with them individually to discuss topics such as academics, goals and adjusting to college. She also provides ongoing outreach and support. 

Using her experience as an Open Options student, Roberts is also a crucial resource as the teaching assistant for the Exploring Majors and Careers, University Foundations, and Reset for College Success courses. She previously served on the SAC Advertising, Media and Promotions Committee and now serves on the Academic Success Coach Committee.

As a Senior Success Coach, Roberts works closely with all Success Coaches and mentors and trains new coaches every semester. In her nomination, colleagues said she is always a go-to person in the office if someone has a question or needs advice on a coaching situation. 

Roberts helps create slideshows and activities for courses, assists students with the switch to Brightspace, creates social media posts and flyers, and created a resource binder for Academic Success Coaches.

She displays a high level of empathy and is a peer who students feel comfortable opening up to about their struggles and successes at UCM. Roberts completed the NASPA Peer Educator Certification and the SAC's Advanced Peer Educator course and certification. The advanced course was not required, but Roberts’ manager said she jumped at the opportunity to further her coaching skills. 

Other nominees for the 2025 Student Employee of the Year awards were Piper Foreman of The Honors College, Paige Schneller of the Success Advising Center, Jake Mager of Conference Services/Audio Visual, Mary Frerking of the Success Advising Center, Ethan Gerst of the Career and Life Design Center and John Hamburg of the Success Advising Center.