Dylan Baldwin named Student Employee of the Year

Dylan Baldwin, a software engineering major at Montana Technological University, has been honored with the 2025 Student Employee of the Year award. The announcement was made at the annual Student Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Currently a technical support assistant at the IT Helpdesk, Dylan was selected for the award based on the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ competencies and personal characteristics, including critical thinking, problem-solving, intercultural fluency, collaboration and teamwork, professionalism, work ethic, and leadership and communication skills.

“Despite starting the role as a freshman, Dylan has made an extraordinary impact with his technical skills, professionalism, and proactive attitude,” Computer Software Engineer Prashanth Kattela Chandrashekar, stated in his nomination letter. “Dylan has demonstrated exceptional technical expertise, playing a key role in assisting hundreds of faculty members, staff, and students with setting up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). His contributions directly supported the university’s compliance with cybersecurity standards, ensuring secure access to critical resources. His communication skills were integral in delivering clear and easy-to-understand guidance, and he was quick to troubleshoot any challenges users faced during the process.”

Summarizing from Prashanth’s nomination form, Dylan’s professionalism, work ethic, and dedication are exemplary in his role as a student employee. He is always punctual, presentable, and articulates his thoughts in a clear, professional manner. While working with cross-functional teams, Dylan has brought many innovative solutions to the university and department alike. He has worked on complex projects and, coupled with his ability to learn new technologies quickly, has become a trusted and essential member of the IT team.

“He has been instrumental in leading Canvas training workshops for faculty members, providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the platform effectively,” said Prashanth. “Furthermore, Dylan built a variety of helpful knowledge-based articles on Canvas, including guides for signing in, password resets, and other essential processes. These resources are now frequently referenced by the entire campus community, further demonstrating his ability to create practical, user-friendly content that benefits both staff and students.”

In addition to his technical work, collaborative contributions, and excellent interpersonal skills, Dylan has exceeded expectations and significantly benefited both the IT Helpdesk team and the wider university community.

“…Dylan’s contributions are extraordinary, and I am confident that he will continue to excel in his role,” Prashanth said. “His technical expertise, leadership, and ability to collaborate with others make him a standout candidate for the Student Employee of the Year Award.”