Staff Awards

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Distinguished Achievement Recognition Awards

The Division of Academic and Student Affairs is proud to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions of our staff members - university-wide- who embody EMU’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values. Through the Distinguished Staff Achievement Recognition Awards, we aim to honor outstanding efforts in four key areas that are integral to our mission:

  • Student Engagement and Success
  • Leadership
  • Innovation
  • Community Engagement and Service

Award Categories

  • Student Engagement & Success Expand dropdown

    Recognizes staff initiatives outside of the classroom that foster students’ engagement, opportunities for learning, and sense of belonging. 

    • Provides students with the support they need to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals.
    • Develops comprehensive and systematic approaches to improve services, processes, and programs that enhance the student experience and student persistence.
  • Leadership Expand dropdown

    Recognizes staff who give members of their team(s) opportunities to thrive and excel. These are individuals who communicate a vision, value input from those with whom they work, display gratitude, and are effective collaborators.

    • Communicates a clear vision and purpose and inspires members of their team to work toward shared goals.
    • Motivates others to strive for and achieve personal and professional goals.
    • Displays integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience.
  • Innovation Expand dropdown

    Recognizes staff who introduce and implement new ideas, methods, processes, services, programs, or systems that improve departmental, divisional, or institutional effectiveness.

    • Prioritizes innovation, generates new and imaginative ideas, and employs novel approaches using existing resources.
    • Aligns improvements with the University’s mission and its commitment to improving processes, programs, and services to enhance operational effectiveness and fiscal stewardship, and/or generate revenue or reduce expenses.
  • Community Engagement & Service Expand dropdown

    Recognizes staff for outstanding services that enhance EMU’s commitment to engaging with the community and to building and sustaining community partnerships.

    • Engages with the community through activities that advance mutual goals and priorities.
    • Makes lasting and meaningful contributions and enhances the community’s knowledge about and support of EMU.

General Instructions

  • Qualifications Expand dropdown

    Any EMU staff member is eligible for a Distinguished Achievement Recognition Award. Faculty and Lecturers are not eligible for this award. Please see the options on the sidebar to the left for faculty or lecturer nominations.

  • Timeline Expand dropdown
    • Nominations Open: Monday, February 19, 2024
    • Upload Nomination Materials (electronic portal)
    • Nominations Close:  Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 5pm
    • Selection Committee Meeting Period: March 8, 2024 – March 11, 2024
    • The Selection Committee will review the nominations and select award recipients.
  • Nomination Guidelines Expand dropdown

    All nominations must be submitted through this electronic portal. Each nomination should provide a concise description of a recent activity that highlights the notable accomplishment of the individual employee or group of EMU employees, addressing the criteria outlined in the selected category. Nominations must not exceed 3,500 characters.

  • Award Ceremony Expand dropdown

    Winners will be announced at the Distinguished Achievement Recognition Awards Ceremony, sponsored by the Division of Academic & Student Affairs on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am in the Student Center Ballroom.