Awards Descriptions
The purpose of the Student Affairs Awards is to recognize individuals in various roles in all departments within the organization who contribute to the mission of Student Affairs and provide excellent service to students, parents and families, and the Carolina community. The selection process is coordinated by the Office of the Vice Chancellor. Award recipients will be announced and honored at the Student Affairs end-of-year celebration. All University staff, faculty, and students may nominate for these awards.
Campus and Community Partner Award
The Campus and Community Partner Award recognizes an outstanding faculty, staff member, University department, or community organization/agency outside of Student Affairs, who has made significant contributions to student development and learning as demonstrated through collaboration, involvement and partnership(s) with Student Affairs. The recipient enhances the mission of Student Affairs and goes beyond occupational requirements – through guidance, mentorship, advocacy and/or advising; promoting leadership, personal responsibility and self-governance; and, fostering an environment of inclusivity and appreciation for all – to enhance students’ experiences at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Campus Collaborator Award
The Student Affairs Collaborator Award recognizes a staff member, department, or group within Student Affairs that has successfully partnered with colleagues inside and/or outside Student Affairs to design and implement new or enhance existing programs, activities, and/or services that enrich the Carolina student experience, further student learning, advance inclusion and accessibility, and/or optimize campus resources.
Awards of Distinction
This award recognizes up to four individuals in Student Affairs each year. Nominations are strongly encouraged across the various employee classifications (i.e., EHRA, SHRA, or graduate students). The Awards of Distinction recognizes outstanding contributions by Student Affairs staff members on behalf of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Student Affairs.
Nominations should be based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrated commitment to the betterment of the University and/or their department.
- Sustained outstanding performance in one’s job responsibilities that is frequently above and beyond the normal scope of expectations.
- Demonstrated impact on creating an environment which enhances the student experience at Carolina.
- Proven leadership and innovation within the context of the individual’s role and position responsibilities (e.g. exercising sound decision making and resourcefulness, fostering the development of new ideas and creativity, positive role model for others).
Building Community Award
The Student Affairs Building Community Award recognizes a staff member, department, or group within Student Affairs who has demonstrated a commitment to bringing people together to create a sense of belonging around common goals and shared purpose within their department, Student Affairs, and/or the University community. The recipient(s) should be intentionally inviting and work to cultivate a respectful environment for all students, staff, and faculty.
Assessment Award
The Student Affairs Assessment Award recognizes a Student Affairs’ staff member or department that has gone above and beyond in advancing assessment initiatives within a department and/or across Student Affairs.
Nominations should be based on the following criteria:
- Uses assessment data to guide decision making, communicate progress and understand the impact of a program and/or service on students.
- Advances assessment initiatives with other colleagues in the department and/or across Student Affairs on a regular basis.
- Makes a concerted effort to increase personal competency development in the area of assessment at the individual level or department level.
Fresh Impact Award
The Fresh Impact Award recognizes a staff member who joined Student Affairs within the past one to three years and has positively influenced the department with new ideas and perspectives.
Nominations should be based on the following criteria:
- Joined Student Affairs within the last three years,
- Shares or incorporates new ideas and best practices to enhance departmental operations, programs or services,
- Actively engages and shares alternative perspectives in meetings and/or discussions with colleagues,
- Demonstrates a willingness to volunteer or take the initiative to support department, division or University programs/projects.
- Consistently demonstrates collegiality within the department.
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award recognizes a non-SALT individual nominated by a group of staff who have been positively impacted by their manager/supervisor.
Nominations should be based on the following criteria:
- Guides the team in carrying out the mission and vision of the department, the division and the University,
- Consistently solicits and engages team members in decision making,
- Creates a welcoming and inclusive work environment,
- Consistently recognizes individual and team accomplishments,
- Demonstrates a commitment to providing opportunities for professional development and growth at the individual and team level.
Nomination Guidelines:
- Both individual and self-nominations are welcomed.
- Nominators are asked to provide a thorough description of how and why this individual meets the criteria of the award in 100 words or fewer.
- Recipients must be employed in their current position for at least six months,
- Nominations should be based on performance during the 2024-25 academic year.
- A previous recipient or team who has received a specific award within the last three years are not eligible for an award.
Please use the following nomination form to tell us about an employee, department, or organization who has made an outstanding contribution to Student Affairs, our campus, and community. All University staff, faculty, and students may nominate for these awards.
