Empowerment

Graduate Student Award of Excellence
The Graduate Student Award Excellence will recognize a graduate student who has gone above and beyond expectations or honors a special, unique, or extraordinary effort they made within an assistantship or position. He, she, or they demonstrate strengths in areas such as instruction, advising and assisting students, research, innovative tech development, and creative activity, and outreach and/or service to the University, community, and/or profession. Nominees must be a graduate student in good standing with the University and employed by a department within the Division of Student Affairs.

Undergraduate Student Award of Excellence
The Undergraduate Student Award Excellence will recognize an undergraduate student who has gone above and beyond expectations or honors a special, unique, or extraordinary effort he, she or they has made within a student position. He, she, or they demonstrate strengths in providing quality customer service, exhibits a positive attitude, has the dedication to their office, unit, or department, and has made a positive impact on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs.

Student Leader Award
The Student Leader Award will recognize an undergraduate or graduate student who has made a significant impact in a department, through leadership, innovation, or extraordinary efforts in advancing the department’s mission. Through their service to the department, they have exhibited strong leadership skills, a positive attitude, cultural competence, and a dedication to promoting the mission of the department, or learning outcomes associated with a program or initiative. Nominees should not be considered employees within a department. Nominees may hold positions such as a stipend student leader, student ambassador, peer educator, mentor, or intern.

Integrity

Impact Award
The Impact Award is presented to a staff member who exemplifies excellence as an unsung hero—someone who works diligently behind the scenes to maximize resources and improve the efficiency of programs, processes, and services that enhance the student experience. While their work may not always be highly visible, their contributions are essential to the success and effectiveness of their department and the Division as a whole.

Nominees for this award demonstrate initiative in identifying gaps and needs that directly or indirectly affect students and respond with thoughtful, resourceful solutions. Through strategic use of resources, process improvements, and operational efficiency, the recipient’s efforts result in meaningful outcomes such as cost savings, improved workflow, enhanced services, and the effective utilization of institutional resources, ultimately creating a positive and lasting impact on the student experience.

Advocacy Champion

Bridge Builder Award
The Bridge Builder Award is presented to a staff member or group of staff that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to advocate for causes and/or initiatives that contribute to student success. The work of this individual or group has a positive and significant impact, is aligned with DSA values, and is tied to student success and/or improving the student experience.

Innovation

Excellence in Programming (Individual and Department/Group)
*one award each will be given to an individual and group

The Excellence in Programming Award recognizes a staff member or group of staff members who work to create, support or strengthen an environment of collaboration, communication, and community across the Division. 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 to include people, budgets, technology, and fiscal and environmental responsibility. A successful nominee will have demonstrated the ability to take the initiative in developing a new or enhancing an existing program to meet the changing needs of the students, Division, or University.

Innovation & Creativity Award
The Innovation & Creativity Award recognizes individuals or teams who demonstrate exceptional creativity, initiative, and forward-thinking in advancing student learning, development, and success. This award honors those who design or reimagine programs, services, or practices in ways that meaningfully enhance the student experience.

Recipients may be recognized for developing new initiatives, improving existing programs, or implementing creative solutions to address complex challenges facing students and campus communities. This includes the thoughtful use of data, assessment, and student feedback to identify needs, inform decision-making, and promote equitable outcomes.

Through collaboration, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement, honorees contribute to a dynamic and inclusive campus environment while inspiring others to think innovatively in support of student success.

Collaboration

The Ambassador Award
The Ambassador Award honors a staff member who has brought significant recognition to the University of Houston and the Division of Student Affairs. They are known and have been recognized as a leader in their professional field or have received recognition for their contribution to the discipline in some substantial and significant way.

Friend of the Division Award
The Friend of the Division Award recognizes a faculty member or lecturer who has participated in co-curricular activities or a staff member from any division outside Student Affairs. Nominees should have in some way contributed to the overall advancement of our Division.

Care

Tier One Customer Service – Departmental Award
The Tier One Customer Service Department Award is presented to a department that consistently demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the customer experience. Additionally, this department epitomizes the Division’s Customer Service Standard, which states that “staff engages customers with an ethic of care in a manner that demonstrates courtesy, attentiveness, active listening, proactive problem-solving, and patience while executing the functions of their job.  It is expected that staff across the division possess cultural sensitivity and awareness of our diverse customers.”

Janelle Brown Cougar Spirit Award
The Janelle Brown Cougar Spirit Award recognizes a staff member or group of staff that best exemplifies the true "Cougar" spirit. The individual or group’s "spirit" is demonstrated through a positive attitude, acts of University loyalty, teamwork, creativity, and cooperation. They are the "Heart of UH, "integrating integrity, respect, and dignity in all interactions and contributions to DSA. Their life serves as a model that demonstrates what it means to take pride in the University of Houston.

Division Professional Awards of Excellence

Outstanding Administrative Assistant/Support Staff Award of Excellence (Combination of Values)
The Outstanding Administrative Assistant/Support Staff Award of Excellence is presented to a staff member who has zero to 3 years of service to the Division. This staff member should portray a collaborative and dedicated approach to promote the University’s and Division’s mission and is essential to the success of the department or office. This individual accepts responsibility, respects other’s time, and possesses a high degree of integrity.

Outstanding New Professional Award of Excellence  (Combination of Values)
This Outstanding New Professional Award of Excellence is presented to a staff member with zero to three years of service to the Division and within the profession. This staff member also demonstrates exemplary performance contributing to the student success of the Division. This individual is one who has exemplified quality work and has made a significant impact on campus, exhibited work beyond expectations, and has outstanding interpersonal skills. This staff member is one who has demonstrated outstanding leadership through a willingness to help others.

Outstanding Professional Award of Excellence  (Combination of Values)
This Outstanding Professional Award is presented to a staff member with three or more years of service to the Division and within the profession. This award recognizes service, dedication, and contributions to the University beyond the requirements and expectations of the job. Characteristics of an employee’s performance that contribute to excellence include superior job performance and a high degree of proficiency in their areas of responsibility; outstanding personal traits such as dedication, honesty, and initiative. This individual incorporates innovation and creativity into their approach to their work and has the ability to work cooperatively as a member of their team.