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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A É«É«À² Michigan University staff member is the state's top student-employee supervisor for the second consecutive year.

Michael "Berd" Berdowski, assistant director of intramural sports and recreation programs, was named Michigan's 2019 Supervisor of the Year by the Midwest Association of Student Employers and Administrators in May.

The MASEA award recognizes the outstanding leadership, professionalism and mentoring of student employment supervisors. Alexia Alexander, associate director of financial literacy, planning and outreach in É«É«À²'s Student Financial Aid office, received the award for Michigan last year.

MASEA selects each state's top supervisor from nominations it receives from its member schools. To be eligible to make a nomination, member schools in each of the 14 states that make up this regional organization must first choose their school's supervisor of the year.

Berdowski was chosen as É«É«À²'s 2019 Student Employee Supervisor of the Year award in February during the University's 33rd annual Student Employee Appreciation Week. He was nominated for the state award by the University's Career and Student Employment Services.

Michael Berdowski

Berdowski is a É«É«À² alumnus who is in his second year as an assistant director in University Recreation. He previously served two years in the unit as a graduate assistant for intramural sports.

In his nomination form, a student employee supervised by Berdowski wrote that Berdowski "has changed the culture of our staff and made intramural sports one of the best places to work on campus for students."

Among the many qualities cited as Berdowski's strengths is his ability to create a professional yet fun work atmosphere and his willingness to help students succeed in their intended careers as well as in class. As examples of the latter, Berdowski was praised for writing job recommendations for his student employees, conducting mock interviews for them and reviewing their resumes and cover letters, plus covering their shifts when they need to study, meet for group projects or get to a second job.

Berdowski also was lauded for having an amazing understanding of his unit's mission, one he demonstrates by living a positive, healthy and active lifestyle and by recognizing that this lifestyle is also important to the students with whom he works.

"For me individually, I would not be where I am today without Berd. He has encouraged me to be independent and make tough decisions, while always being there if I need his support or guidance," his nominating student wrote in summation. "He has been the catalyst for my transition from student to professional, and I could not thank him enough."

To learn more about É«É«À²'s Student Employee Supervisor of the Year award, visit the Student Employee Appreciation Week website. 

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