Encore: Disabilities Services Worker Named UNI Student Employee of Year

(Editor's note: This article first appeared late in the day Friday. We are reposting for those that may have missed it over the weekend. 

Kayla Ferdon has worked her entire college career and now she is getting some deserved recognition.

Ferdon, 23, a senior, has a job called the alternative text coordinator in the disabilities services office. We'll get to what exactly that means later, but for now the important take away is she's worked in the office since she was a freshman.

On April 9, Ferdon was called to a special reception to award the student employee of the year. She had been named one of three finalists. On a campus with more than 13,000 students, many of whom work, that in itself is quite an honor.

Then, the three finalists were called by name to stand up, and Ferdon was named the winner. She said she was thrilled that UNI President Ben Allen presented her with the award.

"I was honored to be nominated, but winning was somewhat of a surprise," Ferdon said. "I think I do a lot in the office, but it is still an honor."

"It pretty much made my day," she said.

Now back to what an "alternative text coordinator" does.

In her job, Ferdon, a public relations major from Allentown, PA, works with textbook companies to get alternate versions of the content for those with disabilities.

During her time working for the disabilities office, which is located above the student health center, Ferdon has used technology to streamline processes in the office.

"I helped changed the whole process, and developed new ways of doing things. Pretty much everything is different from when I started," Ferdon said.

The day after graduation, Ferdon is leaving for an internship in Chicago with Red Frog Events. Only about 100 interns were granted to thousands of applicants, she said.

Her hope is to land a permanent job once her three-month internship ends.

We're pulling for you, Kayla. Good luck.