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.
2026 Award Ceremony | April 30, 2026 at 3:30 PM in Jones
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.
Our staff colleagues are achieving big things on the hilltop, and the St. Edward's Staff Excellence Awards are a way for us to honor those achievements formally. These awards are a way to formally recognize staff employees who are giving of themselves and 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 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.
Recognizes a staff member with a distinguished career who has made monumental contributions to the university’s mission and long-term success.
Award | $2,000 taxable cash award
Eligibility:
Years of Service: 15+ years of continuous SEU staff employment.
Strategic Impact: Must demonstrate significant contributions to the University’s Mission and current Strategic Plan.
Performance: Proven history of developing creative solutions and providing ongoing excellence to the St. Edward’s community.
Leadership: Exemplifies high ethical standards and leadership within their field.
Recognizes a staff employee who goes above and beyond their assigned role to uphold SEU’s values of respect, inclusion, and justice.
Award: $500 taxable cash award
Eligibility:
Years of Service: Open to all staff regardless of years of service.
Impact: Must show concrete examples of combating bias or discrimination and acting as a catalyst for change in the workplace or local community.
Values: Demonstrated commitment to the SEU Holy Cross mission of social justice.
Note: Nominee may not be employed in a position where DEIJ is the primary focus of their job description (e.g., Director of DEIJ).
Recognizes a newer staff member who has hit the ground running, showing exceptional innovation and impact in a short amount of time.
Award: $500 taxable cash award
Eligibility:
Years of Service: Fewer than 3 years of SEU staff employment.
Employment Status: Must be a full-time staff employee.
Innovation: Proven effective use of organizational resources to promote strategic priorities.
Competencies: Must show excellence in at least one key area (e.g., teamwork, communication, volunteerism, adaptability, or stewardship of resources).
Recognizes a non-exempt (hourly) staff member who provides a steady, reliable foundation for the university through leadership and project success.
Award: $1,000 taxable cash award
Eligibility:
Years of Service: 3+ years of SEU staff employment.
Employment Status: Must be a non-exempt (hourly) staff member.
Leadership: Must have taken on a formal or informal leadership role in a project or initiative instrumental to the university's success.
Competencies: Excellence in professional competencies such as (but not limited to): teamwork/collaboration, adaptability, or volunteerism.
Recognizes an exempt (salaried) staff member who provides a steady, reliable foundation for the university through formal or informal leadership in a project and/or initiative.
Award: $1,000 taxable cash award
Eligibility:
Years of Service: 3+ years of SEU staff employment.
Employment Status: Must be an exempt (salaried) staff member.
Leadership: Must have taken on a formal or informal leadership role in a project or initiative instrumental to the university's success.
Competencies: Excellence in professional competencies such as (but not limited to): strategic thinking, planning, organizing or volunteerism.
Recognizes a collaborative group, office, or cross-functional team that has successfully implemented a major strategic initiative.
Award: $1,500 taxable cash award (split evenly among eligible staff members)
Eligibility:
Team Composition: A group of two or more people (department, division, or cross-functional team).
Project Scope: The initiative must be in its pilot stage or within the first year of full implementation.
Evidence of Success: Must identify clear metrics or indicators of impact on the university community.
Note: Only team members with a “Staff” classification are eligible to receive a portion of the financial award.
Want to recognize an outstanding colleague? You may submit multiple nominations, but please complete a separate form for each nomination.