Honoring Student Impact: UH Celebrates Top Student Employees of 2025

DSA News
May 15, 2025

The University of Houston recently rolled out the red carpet for some of its most dedicated student contributors at the 2025 Student Employee of the Year Awards Luncheon, held on April 18. Hosted by University Career Services (UCS), the event capped off a two-week celebration during Student Employee Appreciation Week and Graduate Student Appreciation Week, shining a spotlight on the hard-working student employees and graduate assistants who help UH thrive.

This year, staff and faculty submitted 151 nominations, sharing stories of resilience, leadership, and innovation. The awards luncheon gathered students, supervisors, and campus leaders to reflect on the incredible value student employees bring to departments across the university. The winners were officially announced the following week at the Campus Leaders Award Reception, with awards presented by Torrence Douglas, associate director at UCS.

“At UCS, we strive to play an instrumental role in the career development of student employees,” said Douglas. “We hope the student employment program serves as a pivotal part of their journey at UH. We look forward to continuing to recognize the impact and contributions of student employees throughout the year.”

Meet the 2025 Student Employee of the Year Award Winners

Each award winner exemplifies the leadership, creativity, and dedication that define the best of UH’s student workforce:

Innovation & Technology Award: Jaimen Singh
 A junior computer science major, Jaimen didn't just streamline a process—he transformed it. At the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, he developed a secure app that converts PDF and Excel files into student performance reports in minutes. What used to take 30+ hours now takes less than five minutes. His innovation caught the attention of peer institutions and even national conferences.

Outstanding Leadership Award: Manasa Yerragunta
 One of the brightest minds in organic crystallization, Manasa is a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering who leads with purpose and passion. From pioneering a Welch Foundation-funded study to mentoring peers in the Cullen College of Engineering, her work could reshape the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Student Employee of the Year (Undergraduate): Sanam Davariar
 Sophomore architecture student Sanam brought storytelling to life at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design. Her work on the college’s communications team doubled student engagement, strengthened community ties, and showcased the vibrant life of architecture students - all while learning new tools and leading her peers creatively.

Student Employee of the Year (Graduate): Ah Rum Lee
 After a decade in the insurance industry, Ah Rum now channels her real-world experience into her graduate studies in business analytics at the C. T. Bauer College of Business. As a teaching and research assistant, she’s implemented smart tech solutions, mentored peers, and contributed to cutting-edge AI research - elevating the classroom experience for everyone.

These students exemplify what it means to lead, create, and inspire—on campus and beyond. Their work reminds us that student employment isn’t just a job; it’s a launchpad for growth, innovation, and leadership.

Want to learn more? Check out UH Today’s coverage of the event.

Written by Dhivyadharshini Selvaraj, Marketing Communication Coordinator at Student Affairs, in collaboration with Madison Brown, Sr. Recruiting Manager at University Career Services