Student Affairs Awards Committee

Award Categories

Husky School Spirit Award

This award recognizes the individual or group who best exemplifies the true "Husky" spirit of the University, Division, and Community. The individual or group's "spirit" is demonstrated through positive attitude, acts of University loyalty, teamwork, creativity, and cooperation. S/he is the "Heart of UConn" and lives the tenets of the UConn Creed, demonstrating integrity, respect and dignity of all individuals, and concern for the welfare of others. His or her life serves as a model that demonstrates what it means to take pride in the University of Connecticut.

Outstanding New Staff Award

This award is presented to a staff member with less than two years of service within the Division who has demonstrated exemplary performance promoting/addressing the Mission, Guiding Principals, and Critical Issues of the Division of Student Affairs. This individual is one who has exemplified quality work and has made a significant impact on campus life, exhibited work beyond expectations, and developed outstanding relationships with students. This staff member is one who has demonstrated outstanding leadership through a willingness to help others and developed strong working relationships through collaboration with other departments within the division.

The Graduate Student Award of Excellence

This award will recognize a graduate student who has gone above and beyond expectations or honors a special, unique or extraordinary effort s/he has made within an assistantship or position. He or she demonstrates strengths in areas such as instruction, advising and assisting students, research and creative activity, outreach and/or service to the University, community and/or profession. Nominees must be a graduate student in good standing with the University, employed by a department within the Division of Student Affairs or a student participating in the HESA program.

Innovation Award

This award honors an individual or group of individuals whose innovative ideas, products, or services have created significant change for students, the Division of Student Affairs, or the University. This award strives to celebrate innovation in action, not only the creative idea, but also the impact that practical application of the idea has made on creativity in the use of resources, which includes people, budgets, and technology. Any individual or group of individuals who has demonstrated the ability to take initiative in developing a new or enhancing an existing product, program, or service to meet the changing needs of the students, Division, or University may be nominated.

Diversity Award

The Diversity Award is presented to an individual or group that demonstrates a commitment to services and/or programs that promote a spirit of pluralism and helps to build an environment of inclusivity. Diversity includes all aspects of human difference including: race; culture; ethnicity; religion; age; gender; gender identity; sexual orientation; socioeconomic status; and ability. Nominations for individuals or groups whose jobs do not routinely provide opportunities to address these issues, but who have made a significant effort to do so, are especially encouraged.

The 3C Award

This award recognizes the guiding principles of Collaboration, Communication and Community and is presented to an individual, group, department or committee in Student Affairs who best exemplifies the notion of being a "team player." These recipients work to create, support or strengthen an environment of collaboration, communication, community, encouragement and understanding across the Division. This person or group of individuals represent those who encourage the involvement of others and teamwork towards achieving common goals and objectives.

The Students First Award

This award recognizes special, unique or extraordinary efforts on behalf of students that reflect the Division's motto, "Students First." These individuals or groups offer what we do best in the best possible way, while thoughtfully balancing educational needs and customer service. Nominees endeavored to make procedures, services, facilities, programs, and/or the general collegiate learning environment welcoming, efficient, and of exceptional quality in order to enhance student success. Others, especially students, may comment on the helpfulness, professionalism and assistance of these individuals or group and on their willingness to create a positive, active and inclusive learning community.

Employee of the Year Award

This esteemed award is the Division's highest honor and recognizes the employee that best exemplifies excellence in one or more of the Division of Student Affairs' Guiding Principles: Collaboration, Credibility and Confidence through Competence, Initiative, Integrity, Reliability, and Excellent Service. Nominees should be committed individuals from any area in the Division who have unselfishly gone above and beyond expectations to provide outstanding service to students, the Division of Student Affairs, and the University of Connecticut.