Student Affairs Divisional Recognition Program

Our award program provides recognition to Student Affairs staff who exemplify the values of the division, serve as examples of outstanding performance, and contribute to the enhancement of the profession. Awards will be presented in January for the past calendar year.

Award nominations are due by December 15th, 2023 by 5:00 PM.

The Awards

Best Assessment Initiative
This award recognizes an individual or group who has demonstrated effective use of assessment to inform practice, improve services, and/or support student success.

Cardinal Spirit Award
This award recognizes an individual who best exemplifies what it means to be a “Cardinal” and embraces the spirit of the University. This individual has demonstrated these qualities through helping students create a community on campus; through their loyalty to the University; and through teamwork in their department and the Division of Student Affairs. The recipient of this award lives out the mission of the University in all aspects of their work and is an example to others of what it means to take pride in the University of Louisville.

Changemaker Award
This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates an optimistic, positive, and enthusiastic attitude within the workplace. The award is open to all Student Affairs employees who consistently initiate and encourage positive change to services, processes, and/or programs.

Commitment to an Inclusive Community Award
This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion. This commitment should be demonstrated through work related to topics of diversity including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, religion, military service, diversity of thought, and political ideology.

Commitment to Innovation Award
This award recognizes departments and/or staff members within the division who have demonstrated significant creative, original, and exceptional work that has positively impacted the overall quality of campus life.

Community Impact Award
This award recognizes a staff member for giving back to the Louisville Metropolitan area by providing significant volunteer service to the community within the past year.

Dedicated Service Award
This award recognizes a staff member serving in a support role (administrative support, building/facility services, etc.) who positively contributes to their department’s success and enhances the work environment.

Distinguished Service to the Division of Student Affairs
This award is selected by the Vice President for Student Affairs and recognizes an individual who has demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of the division through their efforts. This person has significantly contributed to the success of the division for more than 10 years and maintains an example of excellence while striving to provide the best opportunity to students at UofL.

Graduate Assistant of the Year
This award recognizes a Student Affairs Graduate Assistant who has consistently exceeded the responsibilities of their position in a manner that promotes the success, mission, and goals of the division.

Growth Mindset Award
This award recognizes a staff member who has demonstrated the ability to be flexible and adapt in changing situations.

Intern of the Year
This award recognizes an intern who has consistently exceeded the responsibilities of their position in a manner that promotes the success, mission, and goals of the Division of Student Affairs.

Lifelong Learner Award
This award recognizes an individual in the division who has made an effort to invest in personal growth or that of others through a volunteer role(s) on campus, service to a regional or national organization, conference presentations, research, or publications. This individual has positively represented UofL Student Affairs at a local, regional, or national level through their engagement in, and promotion of, lifelong learning and development.

Legacy of Success Award
This award recognizes an individual or program that supports student success and provides outstanding contributions enabling students to persist toward obtaining their educational goals. This recipient demonstrates a positive attitude, initiative, and cooperative spirit.

Mid-Manager Award
This award recognizes a staff member with 5 to 10 years of professional experience by providing support to attend the Mid-Manager Institute. The staff member displays exemplary performance in their own responsibilities, as well as service to the division, University and community beyond assigned duties. The individual has gone above and beyond his/her job expectations, contributes to the division in meaningful ways, and has demonstrated innovative and unique methods that have made a positive impact on services, programs or students. The staff member shows promise of assuming a greater leadership role in the division.

New Professional Award
This award recognizes a staff member with one to three years of professional experience providing support to attend the New Professional Institute. The staff member displays exemplary performance in their own responsibilities, as well as service to the division, University, and community beyond assigned duties. The individual has gone above and beyond his/her job expectations by contributing to the division in meaningful ways and has demonstrated innovative and unique methods that have made a positive impact on services, programs, or students.

Outstanding Performance Award
The Outstanding Performance Award recognizes classified and professional/administrative staff for their outstanding performance and commitment to service. Up to three awards may be given each year. Recipients of the divisional award will be nominated for the University award given in the spring of each year.

Program/Project of the Year
This award recognizes a program/project that demonstrated creativity, leadership, and innovation. The program/project is sponsored by a department in the division and makes a positive impact on the quality of student life and a positive contribution to the overall student experience. It also demonstrates a commitment to student success, program assessment, and impact.

Silent Superlative Service
This award recognizes the contributions of a staff member that fosters student success but not always in direct contact with students. The award celebrates the contributions of staff often completing their responsibilities behind the scenes. This individual exemplifies a positive attitude toward staff and students and regularly goes above and beyond the expectation of their job by providing exceptional service without expectation of recognition.

Student Affairs Award
This award recognizes an individual/office/group within or outside the division who has demonstrated significant support for Student Affairs, the division’s programs/services, or demonstrated significant support with campus partners to improve the overall quality of students’ lives. This award is open to any University employee, department, or division.

Student Impact Award
This award recognizes an individual who consistently gives significant time and effort counseling, advising, supporting, and positively impacting students.

Supervisor of Year Award
This award recognizes staff and faculty supervisors who provide leadership in creating work environments that facilitate work/life balance, professional development, and performance management. Up to three awards may be given each year. Recipients of the divisional award will be nominated for the University award given in the spring of each year.