Skip to Main Content
Human Resources
oneColumn

Presidential Excellence Awards Program

The University of North Florida's Presidential Excellence Awards Program is administered by the Office of Human Resources and the Presidential Recognition and Rewards Committee. This program provides the University the opportunity to recognize employee contributions and services with three signature honors: the Presidential Excellence Award, Presidential Quality Customer Service Award and Presidential Spot Awards. These honors are awarded twice a year.

The deadline for the spring cycle is June 15 each year. The deadline for the fall cycle is December 15 each year. Questions may be directed to awardcom@unf.edu. Nomination packets should be delivered to Gayle Stillson, Bldg. 53, Room 1915. 

Awards Overview and Criteria

Criteria common to all awards are:

  • The nominee must have a history of good standing in his or her Human Resources personnel file.
  • Members of the University community and external community partners may nominate employees.
  • The nominator cannot be a relative of the nominee as defined in the Human Resources Personnel Program Policies and Regulations.
  • The award will only be granted if there are qualified nominations.
  • Award recipients must be currently employed at the time of the monetary reward distribution.

Select an award below:

 

  • Presidential Excellence Award

    The Presidential Excellence Award is given to A&P staff AND USPS, Out-of-Unit Faculty or OPS staff for notable contributions to the University that are significantly above and beyond the range of the job assignment and performance expectations.

    Frequency:

    The Presidential Excellence Award is awarded semi-annually during the fall and spring cycles.

    Qualifications:

    Awarded to an individual for achievements that:

    • Demonstrate notable contributions to the University
    • Demonstrate commitment to excellence, focus, relevance and accountability
    • Reflect work that is significantly above and beyond the range of the job assignment and performance expectations

    Provide examples related to contributions outside of nominee’s department.

    Criteria for Selection:

    • Members of the University community and external community partners may nominate employees.
    • Nominator cannot be a relative of the nominee as defined in the Human Resources Personnel Program Policies and Regulations.
    • Self nominations are not accepted for this award.
    • Nominee must have a history of good standing in his or her Human Resources personnel file.
    • Nominee must be a current Administrative and Professional (A&P) staff or USPS — support staff, out-of-unit faculty or regular OPS.
    • Previous Presidential Excellence Award recipients are not eligible for another award until one year after the most recent award date.
    • Nominee must have been employed by the University for a minimum of two years prior to the application deadline date.
    • Administrative and Professional (A&P) staff nominees must be appointed on a minimum three-quarter time equivalency (FTE) for the full year.
    • Award recipients must be currently employed at the time of the monetary reward distribution.
    • This award will only be granted if there are qualified nominations.

    Awarded to Recipient(s):

    • 1st Place — $2,000 (after taxes) 
    • 2nd Place — $800 (after taxes)
    • A personal commemorative award
    • A presidential invitation to the awards ceremony
    • Recognition on UNF’s Human Resources' webpage and in Osprey Update
    • A letter of recognition from the President, a copy of which to be placed in the recipient’s personnel file

    Nomination Process:

    1. Nominator completes the online nomination form (link located in the Side Column) and facilitates the completion of the nomination process.
    2. The Nominee's immediate supervisor will receive an email notification with steps to approve/disapprove the nomination (if the immediate supervisor is unknown, nominators should follow the instructions as indicated in the online form).
    3. Nomination packet must include one supporting reference from outside of the nominee's department. 
    4. Nominations are completed electronically or PDF packets can be returned to the Presidential Recognition and Rewards Committee Chair by June 15 for the spring cycle and December 15 for the fall cycle.
  • Presidential Quality Customer Service Award

    This award is granted to any UNF department that has:

    • contributed to the enhancement of quality customer service at the University
    • shown exceptional initiative in "going the extra mile" to provide service to internal and external customers with timely and appropriate follow-up
    • responded to the needs of students, patrons or customers
    • demonstrated improvement of customer service and satisfaction

    Provide examples and evidence in the form or survey results, stats, customer feedback, testimonials etc.

    Frequency:

    One award, semi-annually.

    Criteria:

    • All UNF departments, offices or units are eligible.
    • Self-nominations are accepted.
    • Previous Presidential Quality Customer Service Award recipients are not eligible for another award until one year after the initial award date.
    • Members of the University community and external community partners may nominate departments for this award.
    • This award will only be granted if there are qualified nominations.

    Frequency of Award:

    • $500 to be used for a departmental event
    • A departmental plaque
    • Recognition on UNF’s Human Resources' website and Osprey Update

    Application Requirement and Deadline:

    Nominations can be submitted electronically via the Online Nomination Form (link in the Side Column). The deadline for the spring award is June 15 and the deadline for the fall award is December 15.  If the deadline falls on a date that the University is closed, the deadline will be extended to the following Monday.

  • Presidential Spot Awards

    The Presidential 'Spot' Award is designed to reward someone for an act that seemingly took a simple effort but ultimately will have lasting positive impacts on students, faculty, staff or visitors. UNF's Presidential Spot Award is your opportunity to nominate a colleague for his/her extraordinary action.

    Frequency of Award:

    The Presidential Spot Award is awarded to no more than 20 recipients, semi-annually, during the fall and spring cycles.

    Qualifications:

    This award enables the UNF community to recognize individuals who have been “spotted” embracing the University’s commitment to excellence by going above and beyond their daily job expectations.

     

    Provide a specific example related to a specific deed the nominee or a constituent witnessed that will have a lasting positive effect on students, faculty, staff, visitors or safety in the workplace. 

    Criteria:

    • Members of the University community and others may nominate employees.
    • Nominator cannot be a relative of the nominee as defined in the Human Resources Personnel Program Policies and Regulations.
    • Self nominations are not accepted for this award.
    • Nominee must have a history of good standing in his or her Human Resources personnel file.
    • Nominees must be a current A&P, USPS, out-of-unit faculty or regular Other Personal Services (OPS).
    • Director level positions and above are not eligible for this award.
    • Nominee must have been employed by the University for a minimum of six months prior to the application deadline date.
    • Award recipients must be currently employed at the time of the monetary reward distribution.
    • This award will only be granted if there are qualified nominations.

    Awarded to Recipient:

    • $100 cash reward (after taxes)
    • Recognition on UNF’s Human Resources' website and Osprey Update

    Nomination Process:

    • Nominator completes the online nomination form (link located in the Side Column) and facilitates completion of the nomination process.
    • The Nominee's immediate supervisor will receive an email notification with steps to approve/disapprove the nomination (if immediate supervisor is unknown, nominators should follow the instructions as indicated in the online form).
    • Nominations are completed electronically or PDF packets can be returned to the Presidential Recognition and Rewards Committee Chair by June 15 for the spring cycle and December 15 for the fall cycle.
  • Other forms of UNF recognition
    • Annual UNF Service Recognition Awards Luncheon
    • Enrollment Services: Spirit Award; Employee Excellence Award; Osprey Excellence Award
    • University Police Department: Employee of the Quarter and Employee of the Year
    • Student Affairs: various recognition initiatives
    • Physical Facilities: National Custodian Week — Breakfast event for all custodians.
    • Administrative: GABOR Award
    • Support: GABOR Award
    • Susan B. Anthony Award (Women's Center)

Presidential Excellence Awards Committee

The overall coordination of the Presidential Excellence Awards Program is handled by the University's Recognition & Rewards Committee, which is appointed by the UNF President. The Committee is comprised of four Administrative staff, at least three Support staff and a representative from the Office of Human Resources.

Current Members

Gayle Stillson (Enrollment Services) A&P  
Mike McGuire (Office of Planning and Budget) A&P
Justin Sipes (Center for Community Based Learning) A&P 
Kellie Woodle (First Year Advising) A&P 
Sherri Charles (Controller's Office) USPS
Maria Cartalano (Administration and Finance) USPS
Rosemary Ponce Ferguson Human Resources Representative

 

The Presidential Recognition and Reward Committee will communicate to the appropriate Director and Vice President the names of the nominees from their area. Directors and Vice Presidents (or their designee) may choose to withdraw the nomination packet.