Santiago, as well as runners-up and the Student Employment Supervisor of the Year, were announced at a formal ceremony Monday in the Alumni Center.
Santiago has worked in the Communication Department as a sports broadcasting producer for two years and was nominated by Professor Troy Comeau.
Comeau said he saw a spark in Santiago in 2020 when as a junior in high school he shadowed Comeau's sports broadcasting crew at the MIAA Basketball Championships in Kansas City.
When he got to Pitt State, he went from shadowing the broadcast crew to directing it, livestreaming each of the 18 games in the men’s and women’s tournaments.
His passion for sports broadcasting led him to completing an internship at Fox Sports in Los Angeles in Summer 2023. Last summer he freelanced for several live event production companies in the Wichita area.
"He takes the initiative to make our productions better by adding elements that weren’t being done or thought of. He has made improvements in graphics such as adding a ‘ticker’ to keep fans updated on other games around the league,” Comeau said.
Comeau called him “one of the most creative, organized, and professional students” he has ever worked with, even in high-stress situations.
The first runner-up was Braidy Hunt, a senior in Biology from Grant City, Missouri, who worked as a general teaching/lab assistant in 2023 and became a field/research assistant in 2024, joining a team of researchers working to study and protect the federally endangered Gray Bat. She was nominated by Assistant Professor Andy George.
"As the primary field assistant, her role is critical,” said George, praising her strong work ethic, attention to details, and enthusiasm to learn new skills. “The high stakes and sensitive nature of the project meant that we could only hire the most capable and responsible students. She has repeatedly gone above and beyond to ensure the project’s success.”
She has learned to safely handle captured animals, use precise measurement tools to record morphometric data, and work alongside professional bat biologists to attach transmitters. She had to assume a great deal of decision-making responsibilities for a project that is state and federally regulated and has given presentations of results at three academic conferences.
The second runner-up was Macy Cussimanio, a senior in Biology from Nevada, Missouri, who works in the office of Student Financial Assistance and was nominated by Financial Aid Specialist Misty Hopper.
"Since joining our office in August 2023, she has become a cornerstone of the student receptionist team — leading with initiative, supporting her peers, and streamlining operations during even the busiest times,” Hopper said.
When student questions surged during peak financial aid season, Cussimanio took it upon herself to create a quick-reference answer sheet to ensure every student received consistent, accurate information. She’s also made behind-the-scenes improvements, like organizing supplies and standardizing desk drawers — small changes that made a big difference.
Career Development Director Kim Hull said the university is proud of all 671 student employees who play a valuable role in keeping Pitt State running.
“We are especially proud of the 16 finalists who represent student employment here on campus so well and for the level of contributions they make each day in their respective areas,” Hull said.
With the exception of the pandemic, the Office of Career Development has held a recognition ceremony each year for 34 years in conjunction with National Student Employment Week.
Students also nominated supervisors for Student Employment Supervisor of the Year. This year’s winner was Library Specialist Heather Winzer, nominated by a student employee. Winzer has worked at Pitt State for 23 years.
Runner-up was Overman Student Center Operations Coordinator Barb Barto, nominated by Assistant Campus Activities Director Bailey Miller.