When Emiliano Rodriguez Gutierrez ’26 arrived at the University of Notre Dame, he brought with him the perspective of a first-generation student who grew up in Mexico. Over the next four years, he would help create the kind of welcoming, globally-minded spaces that helped shape his own Notre Dame experience.
Now, his work has earned national recognition.
Rodriguez Gutierrez, who graduated recently with majors in international economics and applied and computational mathematics and statistics, as well as a concentration in French, was named a national runner-up in the Social Impact & Belonging category through the National Student Employment Association’s (NSEA) Student Employee of the Year program.
Through his work as a Student Employee Team Leader and Notre Dame Global Senior Fellow with Notre Dame Global, Rodriguez Gutierrez helped foster community and global engagement across campus.
“Receiving this recognition was incredibly meaningful because my work with Notre Dame Global shaped so much of my college experience,” says Rodriguez Gutierrez. “Being recognized for creating spaces that encourage global engagement and belonging is very special to me as someone who grew up in another country and has found both a strong sense of community and many opportunities for personal and professional growth at Notre Dame.”
Each spring, NSEA recognizes outstanding student employees from colleges and universities across the country. This year, more than 240 student employees nationwide were nominated for the organization’s Student Employee of the Year awards.
Student Employment at the University of Notre Dame participated in the program for the second consecutive year, receiving 47 nominations from 21 departments across campus. Rodriguez Gutierrez was one of five Notre Dame students selected as a departmental category winner and forwarded to NSEA for national consideration.
“It's very exciting that one of Notre Dame's own student employees was chosen for this recognition,” says Megan Landoll, counselor in the Office of Financial Aid and co-lead of the student employment team. “When reading Emi's nomination letter, you could easily see why he was nominated and the impact he has made on campus as a force for good. The Student Employee of the Year Nomination Committee voted unanimously to select Emi as one of Notre Dame's Student Employees of the Year and nominate him to NSEA."
Reflecting on his student employment experience, Rodriguez Gutierrez said his work extended far beyond professional development.
“My student employment experience at Notre Dame has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally in ways beyond just the classroom,” he says. “Through my work with Notre Dame Global, I’ve developed many skills like leadership, communication, and event planning while also building meaningful relationships with students, faculty, staff, and international visitors.”
He adds, “As a first-generation student who grew up in Mexico, being able to help create welcoming and globally-minded spaces on campus has been one of the most rewarding parts of my Notre Dame experience.”