Awards Information
Description:
The CSUN Presidential Award is presented to a non-MPP staff member who demonstrates consistently outstanding performance and who serves as a role model for others by living the values of the University. The successful nominee represents top performers at the University.
Criteria:
Nominations must provide specific examples of how the nominee achieves each of the following:
Sustained outstanding performance over a significant period of time.
Serves as a role model for other people by living the values of the University.
Contributes to the improvement of existing processes or the development of new ones, which results in significant, demonstrable progress towards achievement of the University mission, values, and vision.
Engagement with and dedication to the University by significant and successful involvement in campus initiatives and community activities guided by and aligned with the mission, values and vision of the University.
Eligibility:
Recipients will be regular full, or part-time staff (non-Administrator), including permanent or long-term temps of the University including Auxiliaries. Nominees must have completed a minimum of three years of staff service. Previous recipients are again eligible for the CSUN Presidential Award upon completion of a five-year waiting period.
Award:
Presidential Award recipient will receive a $500 award and a commemorative gift. They will be honored at the Annual Staff Service Awards and Recognition of Excellence event.
Nomination:
View the Staff Service Awards & Recognition of Excellence Awards Home Page to access the current Nomination Form and view deadline information.
Description:
A CSUN Award of Merit is bestowed to a staff member member who demonstrates exceptional performance in service to the University community.
Up to three staff members may be honored.
Criteria:
Nominations must provide specific examples of how the nominee achieves each of the following:
- Demonstrates outstanding performance above and beyond the standard expectations of the position. Specific examples must be provided in the nomination.
- Contributes to the improvement of existing processes or the development of new ones, which enhance the success of the department, division, or are in alignment with the University’s mission, values, and vision.
Eligibility:
Recipients will be regular full, or part-time staff, including permanent or long-term temps of the University. Nominees must have completed a minimum of two yeas of staff service. Previous recipients are again eligible for the Award of Merit upon completion of a five-year waiting period.
Award:
Award of Merit recipients receive a $200 award and a commemorative gift. They will be honored at the Annual Staff Service and Recognition of Excellence event.
Nomination:
View the Staff Service Awards & Recognition of Excellence Awards Home Page to access the current Nomination Form and view deadline information.
Description:
The Jolene Koester Team Award is bestowed to a team of staff members and/or administrators who collaborated on a project, process, or other initiative that was completed and/or implemented, and that brings about significant positive change that improves performance or productivity and/or reduces costs or enhances the image of the University.
Criteria:
Nominations must provide specific examples of how the nominated team and their project achieved the following:
- Advances the University’s mission.
- Consisted of clear goals and created distinctive results/solutions that improve performance or productivity, and/or reduce costs, or enhance the image of the University.
- Created a team environment of successful collaborative relationships that promoted communication, trust, and respect for differences.
Eligibility:
Teams must consist of a minimum of three individuals. Membership can constitute a work group or departmental unit, or be cross-departmental or cross-divisional.
Award:
The successful team will be awarded up to $1,000 with discretion on its use. This award is intended for the benefit of the team (e.g., new equipment, travel to professional conferences, purchase of software, or other materials that will assist the team). Alternatively, at the discretion of the team, they will be recognized at a special reception in their honor hosted by the President and attended by Vice Presidents and departmental representatives. They will be honored at the annual Staff Service and Recognition of Excellence event.
Nomination:
View the Staff Service Awards & Recognition of Excellence Awards Home Page to access the current Nomination Form and view deadline information.
Description:
Sponsored by the CSUN Alumni Association, the Alumni Engagement Award is presented to a staff, faculty, or administrator whose efforts, ideas, interactions, initiatives or communications result in greater alumni engagement and/or deeper alumni connectedness with the university.
A successful honoree has demonstrated creativity, purposefulness and commitment to improving the inter-connectedness of alumni-to-alumni, alumni-to-students, alumni-to-employees or alumni to the University.
Through the CSUN Alumni Engagement Award, the Alumni Association expresses its appreciation to an individual who does the important work of strengthening and building relationships with alumni. It focuses attention on outstanding persons and their accomplishments, but also on the vital relationship between employees and alumni in promoting the mission of the University.
Criteria:
Nominations must provide specific examples of how the nominee has achieved the following:
- Successfully integrated alumni, or the work of alumni, into classroom or departmental initiatives, programs, processes or communications, which enhanced the student or staff experience and encouraged greater alumni connectedness to CSUN.
Eligibility:
Recipients will be a regular full- or part-time staff member, faculty, or administrator of the university, outside of the division of University Relations and Advancement, with a minimum of one year of service. The recipient need not be an alumna or alumnus of the University.
Award:
Alumni Engagement Award recipients will receive a $300 cash award from the CSUN Alumni Association and a commemorative award. They will be honored at the annual Staff Services and Recognition of Excellence event.
Nomination:
View the Staff Service Awards & Recognition of Excellence Awards Home Page to access the current Nomination Form and view deadline information.
Description:
CSUN values diversity and inclusion as an essential condition for achieving institutional excellence. Our university thrives on the talents drawn from a diverse workforce and believes that a climate of respect and inclusivity allows employees to perform to their maximum potential.
The CSUN Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award is presented to an employee who beyond the scope of their normal work, through leadership and positive interactions with others, exemplifies a commitment to the spirit of diversity and inclusion, and a profound respect for all people from different backgrounds, life experiences, learning styles, and points of view within the University community.
One staff member and/or administrator will be honored for this award.
Criteria:
Nominations must provide specific examples of how the nominee has demonstrated a high regard for diversity and inclusion through a combination of the following:
- Beyond the normal scope of their work duties, sought out, valued and utilized differing knowledge, experiences, and talents of CSUN’s diverse community.
- Promoted practices and initiated efforts to support inclusion of all people, building community and effective cross-cultural collaborations.
- Aligned actions and decisions with the University’s core value of demonstrating respect for all people.
Eligibility:
Recipient will be regular full, or part-time, staff, including permanent or long-term temps and/or administrators of the University, including Auxiliaries. Nominees must have completed a minimum of two years of service.
Award:
Recipient of the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award will receive a $300 award and a commemorative gift. They will be honored at the Annual Staff Service and Recognition of Excellence event.
Nomination:
View the Staff Service Awards & Recognition of Excellence Awards Home Page to access the current Nomination Form and view deadline information.
Description:
The CSUN Student Assistant of the Year Award is granted annually to one student employee in a Student Assistant classification, who demonstrates exceptional contributions to their department by their outstanding skill-set, professionalism and quality of work and service to the University community.
One Student Assistant will be honored for this award.
Criteria:
Nominations must provide specific examples of how the nominee has demonstrated the following:
- Reliability & Professionalism –
- Demonstrates trustworthiness and dependability. Accepts all assignments and always performs as expected in a timely manner; keeps on schedule. Holds self accountable for achieving results.
- Demonstrates professional character, respect, ability to prioritize and communicate proactively both in person and by phone.
- Initiative & Contribution –
- Demonstrates initiative. Seeks out assignments and assumes greater responsibility.
- Demonstrates creativity and imagination when contributing suggestions for change/improvement
Eligibility:
Recipient must be a student or recent graduate that was enrolled during the 2023-2024 Academic Year for at least 6 units; worked an average of 10 or more hours per week as a Student Assistant during the academic periods; maintained at least an overall 2.0 GPA; and have been employed in the department at least 1 year at the time of nomination. Previous recipients are again eligible for the CSUN Student Assistant of the Year Award upon completion of a five-year waiting period.
Award:
Recipient of the CSUN Student Assistant of the Year Award will receive a $100 award and a commemorative gift. They will be honored at the Annual Staff Service and Recognition of Excellence event.
Nomination:
View the Staff Service Awards & Recognition of Excellence Awards Home Page to access the current Nomination Form and view deadline information.
Description:
Sponsored by CSUN’s Office of Community Engagement, the CSUN Community Engaged Staff Award is presented to a staff member or administrator whose exceptional programmatic, organizational, service or volunteer efforts created greater collaboration between CSUN and our larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) in order to contribute to the public good, and nurture and sustain student success. The recipient embodies what it means to be an engaged Matador, having worked within the community to strengthen democratic values, civic responsibility and/or address critical societal issues, promoting social justice and/or serving traditionally underserved communities.
Through the CSUN Community Engaged Staff Award, the Office of Community Engagement expresses its pride and appreciation to an individual who does the important work of building community partnerships, of giving back, and of positively contributing to our society. It focuses attention on outstanding persons and their accomplishments, but also on the vital relationship between staff and community partners in co-creating partnerships that value reciprocity, deepen our learning opportunities and positively impact student success.
Criteria:
Nominations must provide specific examples of how the nominee has achieved the following:
- Beyond the normal scope of their work duties, worked within the community (local, regional/state, national, global) to contribute to the public good, and/or strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility and/or addressed critical societal issues which encouraged greater community connection to CSUN, and nurtured and sustained student success within an equity lens, promoting anti-racism and inclusion.
- Developed successful collaborative relationships with community partners that resulted in progress towards achievement of the University's mission and priorities.
- Demonstrated a commitment to living the values of the university, community engagement, volunteerism, and service to the University.
Eligibility:
Recipient will be a regular full-time or part-time employee including permanent or long-term temporary staff member or administrator of the University with a minimum of one year of service. Previous recipients are again eligible for the CSUN Community Engaged Staff Award upon completion of a five-year waiting period.
Award:
The CSUN Community Engaged Staff Award recipient will receive a $300 award from the Office of Community Engagement and a commemorative gift. They will be honored at the Annual Staff Services and Recognition of Excellence event.
Nomination:
View the Staff Service Awards & Recognition of Excellence Awards Home Page to access the current Nomination Form and view deadline information.
Description:
The CSUN Leadership Award is granted annually to an Administrator who demonstrates CSUN's Leadership Principles through their management and development of teams and their direct reports. The award recognizes leaders who not only embody these principles personally but effectively implement them in their leadership approach with their employees. In addition, the administrator should exhibit a commitment to connect their team's work with the campus's Road Map priorities.
Criteria:
Nominations must provide specific examples of how the nominee has achieved the following in their role managing and developing others:
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- Mission Aligned - Demonstrates a personal commitment to, and develops and implements strategies that are aligned with student success and CSUN's mission, values and priorities.
- Ethical and Collegial - Honors commitments to others and models and maintains high ethical standards and integrity.
- Collaborative - Fosters teamwork and cultivates an active network of relationships inside and outside of the functional area through inclusion, support, cooperation and productivity.
- Accountable - Holds self and team accountable for achieving promised results.
- Courageous and Resilient - Demonstrates the courage to speak up and do the right thing despite discomfort. Pursues work with energy, drive, and passion.
- Inclusive - Promotes the engagement, development and equitable treatment of all people.
- Service Oriented - Recognizes that CSUN is a publicly supported institution and keeps the public good in mind, creating a trusting, supportive and caring environment.
- Communicative - Communicates effectively with all audiences. Actively listens to others and incorporates new knowledge or perspectives into thinking.
- Talent Builder - Attracts, retains and develops high caliber employees with a wide range of diversity and capability.
- Catalytic - Develops and encourages creative approaches, creating an environment that fosters currency and innovation.
Eligibility:
Recipient will be a regular full- or part-time Administrator of the University with a minimum of two years of service.
Award:
Leadership Award recipients will receive a $200 award and a commemorative gift. They will be honored at the Annual Staff Services and Recognition of Excellence event.
Nomination:
View the Staff Service Awards & Recognition of Excellence Awards Home Page to access the current Nomination Form and view deadline information.
Description:
The CSUN Sustainability Award is presented to an employee who goes above and beyond their work duties to support CSUN’s Sustainability Priority. The recipient embodies what it means to be a sustainable Matador through the implementation of operational, business, educational and/or behavioral changes. The successful honoree demonstrates passion, creativity and commitment to improve sustainability at CSUN.
Through the CSUN Sustainability Award, we express our sincere appreciation to an individual who expands sustainability knowledge and practices within their area of influence. This person fosters a culture of responsible environmental and social stewardship.
Criteria:
Nominations must provide specific examples of how the nominee has demonstrated the following:
- A strong awareness of campus sustainability goals and desire to drive change in their area to accomplish these goals.
- Promoted CSUN’s sustainability programs and shared how others can effect change in their areas.
- Taken initiative to integrate sustainability into an operational or business practice that reduces environmental impact.
Eligibility:
The recipient will be a regular full or part-time employee, including permanent or long-term temporary staff member or administrator of the University with a minimum of one year of service. Previous recipients are again eligible for the CSUN Sustainability Award upon completion of a five-year waiting period.
Award:
The CSUN Sustainability award recipient will receive a $300 award and a commemorative gift. They will be honored at the Annual Staff Service and Recognition of Excellence event.
Nomination:
View the Staff Service Awards & Recognition of Excellence Awards Home Page to access the current Nomination Form and view deadline information.