Nominations by any faculty or staff member are being accepted through Feb. 27 for two employee awards – an individual excellence award and a management award. In addition, nominations for a new award, the President’s Award for Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion, will be solicited from and submitted by college and unit diversity council leads. All these awards were created by the Employee Recognition Team in response to feedback from the 2011 Employee Survey to develop programs that give Cornell staff members greater recognition for their good work.

Individual Excellence Awards will be presented to two Cornell staff members who consistently demonstrate a high level of commitment and dedication to the university’s values and Staff Skills for Success, have a positive and influential impact on their work environment, are motivated and flexible in their approach to their work, and foster cooperation and collaboration among their peers and supervisors.

Management Awards will be presented to two Cornell staff supervisors, managers or directors of any level who demonstrate the university’s values and Leadership Skills for Success. The nominee should create an inclusive environment that develops, empowers, engages, challenges and motivates his/her staff, resulting in greater productivity and effectiveness.

Those nominated for either award above are also eligible to be considered for the President’s Award, “Far Above Cayuga’s Waters,” for leaders at all levels who live the university’s values, demonstrate inclusiveness, collaboration and respect, and further the mission of Cornell University through their strategic planning and leadership.

The President’s Award for Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion, presented for the first time this year, recognizes the accomplishments of a staff member, manager or supervisor who has contributed to the university’s Toward New Destinations diversity initiative effort through exemplary work.

Nominees for all awards will be announced later this semester; recipients will receive a monetary award. All nominees will be invited to a luncheon with Vice Presidents Susan Murphy and Mary Opperman.

Nominee criteria and nomination forms for the individual and management excellence awards can be found at on the HR website.