College of Arts & Sciences 2026 Staff Awards
Nomination deadline: Wednesday, October 19th at 11:59 PM
The College of Arts & Sciences is delighted to share a call for staff awards that recognize excellence in leadership and innovation, service and collaboration, and contributions to wellness.
Winners will be recognized at the College Celebration in the Spring semester.
Eligibility
- All awards are open to all full-time staff or student employees of the College
- Nominations of colleagues and self-nominations are accepted
- Dean’s office staff may not nominate each other, but may self-nominate or be nominated by others in the College
Nomination Requirements
Each nomination consists of:
- Responses to three specific prompts (150–250 words each)
- One letter of support (one page maximum) from someone who works closely with the nominee (this should be someone other than the nominator). If self-nominated, please provide two letters of support from people other than the nominator.
General Guidelines
When submitting a nomination for any A&S Staff Award, please provide clear, specific examples that illustrate the nominee’s contributions and impact. Use brief stories or examples that show what the nominee did, how they did it, and why it mattered. Focus on actions, results, and the difference the nominee made for others.
Strong nominations connect the nominee’s work to the mission and values of the College, as outlined in one or more of the College’s strategic plans and help reviewers understand what makes their contributions exceptional.
Letter of Support Guidelines
Letters should offer specific examples of how the nominee meets the award criteria. Letters should be personalized and detailed, reflecting the writer’s direct experiences with the nominee. The most compelling letters include concrete examples and outcomes that illustrate the nominee’s influence and dedication.
Award Categories
A&S Leadership and Innovation Award
Recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, initiative, and innovation in their work. This award honors staff who inspire others through their leadership, bring fresh ideas to life, and make measurable improvements in the way the College functions.
Prompts (150–250 words each):
- Describe a specific initiative, project, or improvement the nominee led. What challenge or need did they address, and what difference did their leadership make?
- How has the nominee brought fresh thinking or innovation to their work? Provide examples of new ideas, tools, or approaches they introduced and how others benefited.
- What measurable or observable impact did their leadership or innovation have on students, faculty, staff, or College operations?
A&S Service and Collaboration Award
Recognizes effective teamwork, collaboration within and across departments, quality and impact of service to students, faculty or community. This award honors individuals whose cooperative nature and exceptional service make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and contribute to a culture of shared success.
Prompts (150–250 words each):
- Share an example of when the nominee demonstrated outstanding collaboration. Who was involved, and what made their teamwork especially effective or impactful?
- Describe how the nominee provides exceptional service to others—students, faculty, staff, or community members. What specific needs did they meet or improvements did they help create?
- How does the nominee help build a culture of service and cooperation within your department or across the College? Include examples of their approach, influence, or everyday actions.
A&S Wellness Champion Award
Recognizes individuals who promote a positive climate, advocate for work-life balance, and foster community and belonging. Recipients inspire others by modeling healthy practices, organizing wellness initiatives, and creating an environment where all staff and students feel supported, valued, and included.
Prompts (150–250 words each):
- How does the nominee promote a positive, supportive work environment? Describe actions or habits that foster belonging and well-being.
- In what ways has the nominee advocated for or modeled healthy work-life balance? Include any formal or informal efforts such as mentoring, flexible practices, or role modeling.
- Share examples of how the nominee builds community and connection. What initiatives, events, or everyday interactions illustrate their commitment to inclusion and care?
A&S Student Employee Service Excellence Award
Recognizes student employees who consistently provide exceptional service, demonstrate initiative and reliability, and contribute positively to their department. Recipients go above and beyond to assist others, problem-solve and create a standard for excellence among peers.
(Please note that this award is designed to recognize contributions to administrative roles, not those related to instruction).
Prompts (150–250 words each):
- Service Excellence: Describe how the nominee provides exceptional service to faculty, staff, or students. What specific examples illustrate their commitment to helping others or improving the daily operations of your unit?
- Initiative and Reliability: How does the nominee’s initiative, problem-solving, or reliability make a difference in your department or for the people they serve?
- Impact and Professional Growth: What has been the measurable or visible impact of the nominee’s contributions? How have they grown professionally or modeled positive behavior for peers through their work?
Evaluation and Selection Process
A committee of at least five will evaluate nominations, led by an Associate Dean in the College of Arts & Sciences and four staff members across the college with a variety of roles. The committee members will be recruited from previous staff award winners.
Each member will rank nominees by scoring using a predetermined rubric. Rankings will be translated into points depending on the number of applicants. For example, with 10 applicants, the highest ranking candidate will receive 10 points. The total points from the rankings will be summed, and the winners will be selected from the highest scoring candidates.
If there are small differences (<5) between the top applicants, a meeting will be held to determine the final winners. If there are a large number of applications, the committee will solicit additional reviewers such that each application is reviewed by five reviewers.
