President's Awards

Since 2006, Presidential Staff Recognition Awards are given recognizing the contribution and excellence of SMU staff. Only four awards are distributed to outstanding staff for New Employee Excellence, Continuing Excellence, Outstanding Leadership, and Innovation.

Gretchen C. Voight New Employee Excellence Award

This Award highlights the employee who has been with the University from one to three consecutive years and who shows:

  • Significant impact on the University through his or her 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 job requirements

Continuing Excellence Award

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

  • Significant impact on the University through his or her 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 job requirements

Outstanding Leadership Award

This award recognizes:

  • Exceptional leadership ability within his or 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 facilitating

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
  • Has a positive impact on University resources
  • Includes a timeframe that will allow the University to see a return on its investment within a three year period
Click here for more information about the eligibility and nomination process.

To nominate an individual for one of the Presidential Recognition Awards, please complete the nomination form. Nominations are due by Friday, September 29 at 5:00pm.