Jones
KALAMAZOO—A graduate assistant in the School of Social Work field education office has been selected from among 66 nominees and more than 3,900 Western Michigan University student employees as the 2012-13 Student Employee of the Year.
Demetria Jones since 2012 worked with her nominator, Field Education Coordinator Jennifer Harrison, to manage, place and monitor more than 300 undergraduate and graduate students in field internships. She graduated in April with a master's degree in social work.
Through her employment, Jones has helped advance the department in many ways. She is skilled regarding utility, records security and database management and has led other student employees in compiling many years of paper files into a searchable electronic database. She is also the primary manager of a field education Elearning course, which works as an intranet for students, faculty and field instructors. This resource keeps stakeholders informed of events, job postings and forms and has unique features including an FAQ.
"In her role, Demetria is often approached by fellow students for problem-solving on field issues," notes her nominator, "and she has that unique blend of respect for positional authority and empowering students to be actors on their own."
In addition, states Harrison, "Demetria is a consummate social worker who speaks up tactfully and effectively to advocate for social and economic justice. I look forward to being her colleague in the field."
The student employee of the year honor is sponsored by WMU Career and Student Employment Services as part of the annual celebration of Gary L. Belleville Student Employee Appreciation Week. Jones was honored in February at WMU, and her nomination has been submitted for a Midwest university competition, and potentially national competition.