Presidential Staff Recognition Awards

Award Description

Four  Presidential Staff Recognition Awards will be awarded at the Staff Recognition Ceremony.   These awards recognize the contribution and excellence of staff employees to SMU.  The newly created awards include:

New Employee Excellence Award

This award recognizes a star performer who has been with SMU from one to three consecutive years. They will be able to show: 

  • significant impact on the University through their demonstration of competence, dedication, outstanding performance, problem solving, customer service and ingenuity

  • contribution and demonstrated commitment to the University’s core purpose and values

  • exceptional ability to foster collaboration, communication, and cooperation among colleagues and University constituents

  • performance at a level above and beyond normal job requirements

Continuing Excellence Award

This award highlights the employee who has been with the University for four or more consecutive years and has shown:

  • significant impact on the University through demonstration of competence, dedication, outstanding performance, problem solving, customer service and ingenuity

  • contribution and demonstrated commitment to the University’s core purpose and values

  • exceptional ability to foster collaboration, communication, and cooperation among colleagues and University constituents

  • performance at a level above and beyond normal job requirements

Outstanding Leadership Award

This award rewards the staff member who supervises one or more benefit-eligible employees and who demonstrates:

  • exceptional leadership ability within his/her unit or across the University

  • contribution and commitment to the University’s core purpose and values

  • the ability to create a positive, supportive, and motivating work environment

  • exceptional performance in communication, problem solving, coaching, and facilitation

Innovation Award

This award recognizes creative, innovative ideas that:

  • significantly improve a work process or system or greatly increase the efficiency of an operation or unit

  • have a positive impact on University resources

  • include a timeframe that will allow the University to see a return on its investment within a three year period

Each of the four awards will include a $1000 prize.

Eligibility Requirements for Nomination

Nominees must

  • Be a part-time or full-time benefit-eligible SMU staff employee

  • Be in good standing at the University

  • Meet all criteria outlined for each of the awards

Process for Review of Nominations

  • Nominations will be collected by the Director of the Department of Human Resources.

  • The Director of the Department of Human Resources will convene a committee to review the nominations.  These seven members will be named to the committee by their corresponding vice president, will serve for one year, and will remain anonymous to campus.

  • A committee member who is nominated for an award will not serve on the committee. Instead, an alternate will be named to the committee.

  • The current President of the Staff Association will chair the meeting to decide the award winners.  Selection will be through consensus of the committee members. 

  • The committee will select one winner for each of the four awards which will include a certificate, a lapel pin, and a $1000 award.

  • If no nominee is determined to meet all the criteria, an award will not be made. 

  • These awards will be presented at the annual SMU Staff Recognition Awards Ceremony.

  • Winners are ineligible to receive the award the following year.

Nomination Forms

Nominations are welcomed from students, supervisors, employees, co-workers or colleagues.

Strong nominations will include:

Send the form with supporting materials to:

Department of Human Resources
PO Box 750232
Dallas, TX 75275-0232