On-Campus Employment Supervisor Support Series
The Center for Career Engagement collaborates with campus partners to offer professional development for those who support on-campus student employees. Check this site and sign up to receive the on-campus employment supervisors newsletter to be the first to learn about opportunities.
Designed for any WashU staff or faculty member who directly hires, supervises, or otherwise supports student employees. Sessions provide connections, strategies, and resources that will elevate their student employment program.
Academic Year Mini-Workshops: Several 1 hour workshops are offered in the fall and spring semesters; each focusing on an issue central to on-campus employment. A brief presentation is followed by discussion and collaborative problem solving. These are excellent opportunities to meet other supervisors, share ideas, and get inspired. Fall 2026 Dates: TBD.
Annual Summer Supervisors Summit: Whether you seek to gain new skills and strategies to address common supervisory challenges, or simply need a refresher on the hiring process or the guidelines of Federal Work Study: the summit is an opportunity to get your on-campus student employment program ready for the new academic year. 2026 Summit date and details listed below.
Upcoming Workshops
AI and Student Employment
This round table discussion will provide a space for supervisors to share their hopes, fears, and experiences with the use of AI in on-campus employment.
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Location: DUC 233
Join us for coffee and community to discuss the successes, challenges and pitfalls of using AI in on-campus student employment.
- Are you using AI as a supervisor?
- Are your student employees using AI in their jobs?
- How has AI impacted your student employment program?
Please note, this program will not include any tutorials or instruction in AI.
Past Workshops
Join supervisors from across campus for a half day gathering (breakfast and lunch provided!) that will prepare you to welcome your student employees back to campus! From recruiting and hiring, to the finer points of on-boarding and daily supervision, this conference-style summit will allow you to choose from a variety of session topics. Plan to attend the full program or pop in for select sessions as your needs and schedule allow.
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026 | Time: 8:45 AM – 1:00 PM | Location: DUC 276
Registration is now closed.
Agenda:
Breakfast, Community, and Overview of Sessions (8:45-9:10)
Breakout Session 1 (9:15-9:55)
- Conduct Checks for Student Employees: This session will help supervisors understand the purpose of conduct checks (this includes academic integrity, behavioral and Title IX), how they may relate to on-campus employment positions, and how and when to request one. Facilitator: Bre Hardy, Assistant Director, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
- Strong Foundations: Writing a Better Job Description: Learn how to use the new Student Employee Job Description template to incorporate student-focused information into position descriptions. We’ll explore how integrating National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Career Competencies helps students to understand the skills they will develop in an on-campus job. Facilitator: Sarah Sims, Assistant Director, Internships & Experiential Learning, Center for Career Engagement
- Understanding Federal Work Study: This session will help supervisors understand the purpose of the Federal Work Study program, what on-campus jobs are eligible for the application of FWS funds, how to advertise positions to students with FWS awards, and the rules and regulations governing the program. Facilitator: Dan Dick, Manager, Compliance & Awarding, Student Financial Services
Breakout Session 2 (10:00-10:40)
- Strong Foundations: Writing a Better Job Description: Repeat Offering
- Supervising with Strengths: This session will help on-campus student employment supervisors understand the CliftonStrengths program and get them thinking creatively about how they might apply Strengths with their student workers. Facilitators: Caryyn Smith, Associate Director for Programming and Campus Vibrancy, Campus Life; and Joe Morris, Coordinator, Student Transitions
- Understanding Federal Work Study: Repeat offering
Breakout Session 3 (10:45-11:20)
- International Student Employees: This session will help supervisors understand the rules for employing international students, along with key considerations, best practices, and compliance responsibilities in supervising them. Facilitator: Ariel Carpenter, Associate Director, Office for International Students and Scholars
- Stop Guessing, Start Growing: The Art of Clear Expectations: Curious about how to set clear expectations for your student employees and HOLD them to it? Come check out the system used successfully by the Event Management team for over a decade. We will discuss scheduling, communication, record keeping, and enforcement strategies that are proven to work! Facilitator: Mandy Curtis, Department Coordinator, Event Management
- You Found the Right Candidate – Now What? The Nuts and Bolts of Hiring: This session will give hiring supervisors an overview of the HR and Payroll related steps they need to be aware of and initiate in order to actually get their selected student hired. Whether you are new to supervising students or just need a refresher, this session will make sure your hiring experience is efficient and seamless. Facilitator: Keunta Thomas, HR Business Partner
Breakout Session 4 (11:25-12:05)
- Difficult Conversations with your Student Employees: From attendance issues, to poor performance, to professional attire, many supervisors encounter situations with their student employees where corrective action and/or an uncomfortable conversation is necessary. This session will help supervisors feel prepared to have difficult conversations with their student employees. Facilitator: Mari Torres, Training and Curriculum Specialist, Dialogue Across Difference
- International Student Employees: Repeat offering
- You Found the Right Candidate – Now What? The Nuts and Bolts of Hiring: Repeat offering
Lunch, Community, and Handshake Office Hours (12:10-1:00)
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Guest Speaker: Mandy Curtis, Department Coordinator, Campus Life
Location: DUC 276
WashU staff and faculty who supervise and support student employees are invited to:
- Build community
- Learn about Campus Life’s fun and unique student employee recognition program
- Problem solve common issues and share best practices.
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Guest Speaker: Dan Dick, Manager, Compliance & Awarding Student Financial Services
Location: DUC 276
WashU staff and faculty who supervise and support student employees are invited to:
- Build community
- Learn about Federal Work-Study guidelines and procedures
- Problem solve common issues and share best practices.
Do you have an idea for a workshop topic? Let us know!