2026 Student Employee of the Year Award Recipients
Recipients: 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022
The President's Student Employee of the Year Award is given annually to an outstanding student employee who has made a positive impact on the University and has demonstrated an exceptional quality of work and commitment to the University’s purpose and core values.
2026 President’s Student Employee of the Year Award Winner
Sahithi Alla exemplifies excellence in student employment at The University of Texas at Austin. As a student associate with the Employee Development and Engagement team in University Housing and Dining, she played a key role in supporting large‑scale training, recognition, and engagement initiatives that positively impacted hundreds of staff members across campus.
Sahithi demonstrated exceptional critical thinking, attention to detail, and initiative in managing the growth of UHD’s Star to Star peer recognition program, which has supported more than 4,200 recognitions since its launch. Her leadership was especially evident through her work on the Golden Horns staff awards, where she carefully processed hundreds of nominations to ensure accurate and meaningful recognition.
Widely admired for her calm, compassionate leadership and strong communication skills, Sahithi collaborates confidently with peers, professional staff, and senior leaders. Her work has strengthened programs, empowered colleagues, and fostered a culture of recognition and engagement - making her a deserving recipient of the President’s Student Employee of the Year Award.
| Photo | Name | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sahithi R. Alla | HR Student Associate | University Housing and Dining |
2026 President’s Student Employee of the Year Award Finalists
| Name | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Rachel E. Cottrell | Program Assistant Sport Clubs | Recreational Sports, Division of Student Affairs |
| Zoe M. Fisher | Facility Supervisor, Gregory Gym | Recreational Sports, Division of Student Affairs |
| Ishwari Garge | Academic Assistant | School of Information |
| Wyatt P. Golden | Dining Student Manager | University Housing and Dining – Operational Services and Strategies |
| Kaleb N. Hernandez | Program Assistant, Instructional Programs | Recreational Sports, Division of Student Affairs |
| Samantha Hinojosa | Stewardship Senior Assistant | Development and External Relations, Red McCombs School of Business |
| Abinaya Kannapiran | Undergraduate Neurology Assistant | Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School |
| Justin Savoie | Course Grader Mentor (Chemistry) | OnRamps – Governmental Affairs and Initiatives |
| Grace Zhou | Senior Associate, Special Projects Intern | Kendra Scott WEL Institute (Department of Management) - Red McCombs School of Business |
| Christy Zhuang | Senior Photographer | Recreational Sports, Division of Student Affairs |