Nomination Process, Criteria and Categories: Awards and Recognition
The Awards and Recognition subcommittee recognizes staff who have demonstrated superior performance or enhanced their unit’s function. Awardees may be recognized in the Student Affairs Weekly Update or other UT Dallas publications.
Any Student Affairs staff may nominate a colleague or unit. Nominations are reviewed and held in confidence by Professional Development representatives via the online nomination form. Nominations must be submitted by noon on the fifth day of each month.
Nominations should emphasize how the nominee has excelled in a specific unit, how exemplary performance and accomplishments have been manifested on a consistent basis, and what substantial efforts the nominee has demonstrated to advance the strategic initiatives of the division. The nomination should emphasize how the individual or unit has excelled as it pertains to a specific category.
Nominators choose at least one category listed below, but a separate form must be completed for each additional category. If you wish to submit a category not listed below, please contact a Professional Development representative.
Innovation
This award recognizes colleagues or units that:
- Create new or unexpected solutions that are linked to the vision, mission or strategic initiatives of the division and embrace change as an opportunity for growth and innovation.
- Participate in collaborative problem solving and creating new relationships to improve the way work gets done.
- Improve a work process or system, or fundamentally increase the efficiency of an operation.
- Think outside the box or introduce new ideas to broaden the scope of programs and services in the division.
- Are creative with the use of resources, budgets or technology.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
This award recognizes colleagues or units that:
- Strive to promote understanding and appreciation of diversity, equity, inclusion and multicultural sensitivity.
- Engage members of the division and the UTD community in dialogue and conversation around issues of identity, religion, race, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and mental or physical disability.
- Incorporate diverse perspectives into program planning and implementation.
- Promote cross cultural learning and interaction that appeals to broad audiences.
- Advocate for the inclusion of underrepresented groups and cultivate a respectful environment for students, staff or faculty.
- Help the division engage and retain employees by ensuring all constituents feel valued and respected.
- Support and participate in UTD’s efforts to create a sense of belonging, openness, acceptance and inclusion.
Creative Programming
This award recognizes colleagues or units that:
- Demonstrate innovation in developing or enhancing programs and/or services that meet the changing needs of the division and UTD’s student population.
- Develop data driven programs or services that support or break new ground in addressing student needs or strategic initiatives of the division.
- Engage in effective use of assessment strategies and student affairs best practices to increase engagement and improve student life.
- Enhance student learning through innovative approaches that involve successful program planning and implementation.
- Work with students or student organizations to implement a student driven program or service idea.
Customer Service
This award recognizes colleagues or units that:
- Consistently and substantially demonstrate willingness to work and communicate positively, respectfully and effectively.
- Engage in significant improvements to student services or enhanced student satisfaction.
- Solve problems and respond to complaints while supporting the division.
- Respond to inquiries and requests promptly.
- Show exceptional skills in communication and relations.
- Contribute and demonstrate commitment to the division’s vision, mission and core values.
Work Environment Nimbleness
This award recognizes colleagues or units that:
- Remain consistently adaptable to shifting/evolving work environments, including during the unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Effectively transform face-to-face engagement with students, faculty or peers into positive remote work environments while maintaining the division’s mission, vision and core values.
- Create an accessible and engaging remote work environment to build valuable and positive relationships.
Exceptional Communication
This award recognizes colleagues or units that:
- Demonstrate exceptional ability to foster effective and positive communication among colleagues and members of the campus community.
- Make innovative and effective use of print, digital and social media, marketing and other mediums to communicate clearly and concisely with students and other constituencies about the programs and services of the division.
- Demonstrate commitment to the enhancement of communication and user interaction between students, colleagues and other constituencies.
- Effectively and swiftly incorporate strategic communication into daily operations.
Outstanding Teamwork
This award recognizes colleagues or units that:
- Demonstrate outstanding cooperation, collaboration and open communication to complete a project or achieve a goal.
- Deliver significant benefit or value while partnering with colleagues to accomplish specific strategic initiatives of the division.
Going Above and Beyond
This award recognizes colleagues or units that:
- Deliver exceptional service and programs and demonstrate commitment to the betterment of the division.
- Demonstrate extraordinary creativity or resourcefulness in assisting student, staff, faculty or others.
- Consistently exemplify sustained, outstanding job performance that is frequently above and beyond the normal scope of work.
- Exercise sound resourcefulness and a passionate commitment to enhancing student life and Comet spirit.
- Go above and beyond job requirements by displaying a positive attitude, even under the most challenging circumstances.