The University of Richmond Welcomes a Record Number of New Student Employees

The University welcomed a record number of new student employees this fall. Over 1,000 student positions have been filled since July 1 and over a third were new student employees — the latter is a 15% increase compared with the peak fall hiring period last year.

The peak of the fall student employment season typically begins during the final four weeks of summer break and continues through the first four weeks of the fall semester. Improvements to student employment processes helped departments get a head start on hiring.

“The impact of the Workday system and business process improvements we've been making is reflected in how much earlier job creation tasks were completed this year,” said Caitie Hoeckele, Student Employment Program Manager. “Of the 900 student jobs created during the eight-week peak hiring period, roughly 35% were completed within the first four weeks this year, compared with 25% during the same period last year.”

The strong start to the academic year was a collaborative effort across campus. The Human Resources Operations team and the Office of International Taxation played important roles in efficiently processing the increased volume of pre-employment forms, while managers helped connect students with opportunities and guided them through the hiring and onboarding processes.

“Managers of student employees are at the front line of the program,” Hoeckele said. “For many students, a campus job is their first real job, and managers play a critical role as the primary point of contact for students who may be navigating this process for the first time.”

Managers also play an important role in helping students arrive prepared for their I-9 appointments. Reminding new students to use the Student Pre-Employment Form to schedule their appointment and bring the required original documentation to complete their I-9 form helps keep the onboarding process moving smoothly and ensures students are eligible to begin working on time. 

The University's student employment program now includes more than 1,700 student employees holding approximately 3,000 student jobs across campus. Behind those numbers are managers, student employment coordinators and timekeepers across campus who help make these opportunities possible. “Thank you for all that you do to help our student employment program thrive,” Hoeckele said. “You are each contributing to the huge impact this program has on students' experiences at the University and students' engagement in our campus community.”

From creating and updating positions to supporting onboarding, ensuring I-9 requirements are met, answering students' questions and reviewing timesheets, student employment managers have an important role throughout a student's employment experience.

As hiring continues throughout the year, managers can find resources and support on the Managers Hub, including the Manager FAQ and Resources for Managers. Students can also be directed to the Student Employees Hub, which includes the Student Employment Handbook and Student FAQ.

“Thank you for your patience at the start of each semester, when job creation is at its highest volume, and thank you for your diligence in advocating for and supporting student employees,” Hoeckele said. “I am so grateful for our continued partnership!”