Staff Excellence Awards
Program Overview
Nomination Eligibility & Process
Nominations for staff awards will be accepted from all members of the university community, including self-nominations. The classification of Staff includes salaried and hourly employees who are employed in a non-seasonal position and are expected to work 30 hours or more a week. Those who are classified as Executive Administrator (at or above the Associate Vice President level) through Human Resources (HR) and/or are members of the President’s Cabinet are ineligible to receive an individual award or a portion of the financial component of the team award. HR will verify good standing and eligibility of all nominees prior to the final consideration phase. Because some awards have specific service criteria, the Selection Committee reserves the right to move nominees from one category to another if their qualifications better align with the goals of a different award. The Selection Committee will solicit the required expressions of support from supervisors and colleagues after HR verification is complete.
Assessment of Nominees
All nomination forms will have a standard rubric to determine complete eligibility and validity of the nomination that will also assist in the determination of award recipients. The Selection Committee consists of a Staff Council chair and representatives from across the university staff community; any committee members receiving nominations are ineligible to vote on any award for which they or their team are nominated.
Award Ceremony | May 15, 2023 | 1 PM | Mabee Ballrooms
All members of the university are invited to celebrate!
Nominees will be given notice of their nomination via email and invited to attend the award ceremony. Only the committee will know who has been selected to receive each award prior to the ceremony, to allow for an organic event of recognition.
Awards and Eligibility
Our staff colleagues are achieving big things on the hilltop, and the St. Edward's Staff Excellence Awards are a way for us to formally honor those achievements. These awards recognize staff employees who are giving of themselves use their skills to better our overall campus community.
ELIGIBILITY OF PREVIOUS AWARD RECIPIENTS
Previous award recipients may not receive the same award for the following two years. For example, if a recipient received an award in 2022, they cannot be considered for the the same award in 2023 or 2024, but will be eligible again in 2025. Previous award recipients are eligible to receive an award in a different category. For example, a staff member could receive New Star Recruit in 2022 and Solid as a Sorin Oak in 2023.
The G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) Award
Recognizes a staff employee with a distinguished career of 15 years or more years of SEU staff employment. Nominators should provide concrete examples of how the employee has made significant contributions to the University’s mission over time, including developing creative solutions and providing outstanding and ongoing excellence to the St. Edward’s community.
Award | $2,000 taxable cash award
Eligibility:
15 years or more years of SEU staff employment
Substantial contributions to mission, strategic plans, and service to SEU community
Professional excellence in their field
Exemplifies leadership and ethical standards
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Champion Award
Recognizes a staff employee who has demonstrated exemplary commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ). Nominators should provide concrete examples of how an employee has gone above and beyond their assigned role to uphold SEU’s values of respect, inclusion and justice.
Award | $500 taxable cash award
Eligibility:
The nominee should have made a significant, positive impact on the SEU and/or broader community as demonstrated by their work to combat bias, oppression, discrimination and other matters related to diversity.
The nominee has been a catalyst for change regarding workplace diversity and inclusion and/or has impacted change within an industry, organization or local community.
The nominee may not be employed in a position that specifically addresses DEIJ in their job description (i.e. Director of Student Diversity & Inclusion).
New Star Recruit Award
Recognizes an outstanding staff member for their innovation and effective use of organizational resources to promote key initiatives and strategic priorities.
Award | $500 taxable cash award
Eligibility:
Full-time staff employee
Fewer than 3 years of SEU staff employment
Solid as the Sorin Oak Award (Non-Exempt Staff)
Recognizes a non-exempt staff member who has taken on leadership of a project or initiative that has been instrumental to the ongoing success of the university. Non-exempt employees are paid on an hourly basis and are entitled to overtime pay for all time worked beyond 40 hours in a week.
Award | $1,000 taxable cash award
Eligibility:
3 or more years of SEU staff employment
Solid as the Sorin Oak Award (Exempt Staff)
Recognizes an exempt staff member who has taken on leadership of a project or initiative that has been instrumental to the ongoing success of the university. Exempt employees are paid on a salary basis and are exempt from legal overtime requirements.
Award | $1,000 taxable cash award
Eligibility:
3 or more years of SEU staff employment
Over the Hilltop Award (Group/Team Award)
Recognizes a group, office, or division that has experienced notable success in implementing a strategic initiative. This initiative should be implemented within the last year, but could have been previously piloted or be within its pilot stage.
Award | $1,500 taxable cash award to be split evenly among team members*
Eligibility:
Initiative should be in its pilot stage or first year of full implementation and show major developments and growth during that time.
A group of two or more people who worked to implement an initiative. The group may be a department, division or cross-functional team who oversaw a major advancement to the university that has proven successful or is showing promising early indicators.
*Only members with a Staff classification will be eligible for the financial award
Nominate a Staff Employee
Want to recognize an outstanding colleague? You may submit multiple nominations, but please complete a separate form for each nomination.
Previous Award Recipients
Congratulations to all the outstanding Hilltoppers who have been recognized through the Staff Excellence Awards!