Awards Criteria and Recent Winners
Recognizes the contribution of employees who consistently demonstrate an exceptional commitment to and understanding of diversity and inclusion within the Carolina community outside the scope of their day-to-day job duties through communication, innovation, improving the office/university environment, and student engagement.
Scoring Rubric
- Enhances inclusion through positive communication between persons of different backgrounds
- Develops innovative methods for increasing and valuing diversity through wide-ranging activities and programs
- Demonstrates outstanding efforts to promote an environment aligned with the Carolinian Creed and free from bias and discrimination
- Establishes various student and community events promoting diversity, respect, and inclusiveness
Recent Winners
2022: Shay Malone, Multicultural Student Affairs
2021: Claudio Alejo, University Housing; and Janie Kerzan, Student Life
Recognizes UofSC 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. The project must be practical and replicable to external communities.
Scoring Rubric
- Addresses a problem/issue to enhance the overall quality of campus life
- Positively affects students and staff
- Ability to apply initiatives within other areas/external communities
- The project was affordable (financially, time-wise, resources)
Recent Winners
2022: Gamecock School Supply Closet, Student Success Center
2021: Resiliency Project
Recognizes employees who have been at the institution for at least two years but less than five who have contributed to the success of the organization through their use of personal initiative, commitment to learning, analytical and critical thinking skills, motivation of others, and problem-solving capabilities.
Scoring Rubric
- Displays personal initiative through involvement in university-wide events/initiatives
- Displays active learning in their position within the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
- Contributes to the success of the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
- Displays Commitment to personal and professional development
- Motivates other by demonstrating personal responsibility
- Displays excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
Recent Winners
2022: Carli Mercer, Fraternity and Sorority Life
2021: Jason Halterman, Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention and Prevention
Recognizes employees who have been at the institution for more than five years who have contributed to the success of the organization through their use of personal initiative, commitment to learning, analytical and critical thinking skills, motivation of others, and problem-solving capabilities.
Scoring Rubric
- Displays personal initiative through involvement in university-wide events/initiatives
- Displays active learning in their position within the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
- Contributes to the success of the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
- Displays commitment to personal and professional development
- Motivates other by demonstrating personal responsibility
- Displays excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
Recent Winners
2022: Regina Hailey Smith, TRIO Programs
2021: Cindy Peachey, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships; and Elizabeth Orehovec, Undergraduate
Admissions
Recognizes UofSC departments and/or staff members within the division who have demonstrated significant interdepartmental collaboration to positively impact the overall quality of campus life by addressing a problem or need. Recipients of this award can be: individual-to-individual; department-to-department; or individual-to-department.
Scoring Rubric
- Evidence of exemplary partnership or collaboration through diverse perspectives
- Addressed a problem/need
- Contributes positively to the university
Recent Winners
2022: Grace Kazmierski, Sustainability; Kimberly Seibles, Multicultural Student Affairs
2021: Gamecock Pantry and Parent and Family Programs
Recognizes the division’s most exceptional employees who consistently go beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the Carolina Community by displaying personal initiative, developing relationships, and engagement in university activities.
Scoring Rubric
- Displays personal initiative through involvement in university-wide events/initiatives
- Develops relationship with Carolina community (faculty, staff and students)
- Goes above and beyond job description to help others
- Participation in division & other university activities
- Positive impact on others
Recent Winners
2022: Mandy Bidinger, Office of the Dean of Students
2021: Katherine Hilson, Undergraduate Admissions
Recognizes graduate assistants who work in the division that have gone above-and-beyond the call of duty to make a substantial impact on UofSC’s campus by utilizing a theory-to-practice mindset, demonstrating leadership, and engagement in division and university activities.
Scoring Rubric
- Positive impact on the student experience
- Utilizes a theory-to-practice mindset in their work beyond the classroom
- Demonstrates Leadership Qualities
- Participation in division and other university activities
Recent Winners
2022: Rachel Mungovan, University Housing; Alexandra Shay, Sustainability; Ailish Stein,
Substance Abuse Prevention and Education
2021: Hamilton Wasnick, Student Government; and Kaitlin Yoffie, Student Conduct and Academic
Integrity
Recognizes employees who have made an impact at UofSC during their first two years of service to the division. Recipients must have two years or less of service at the time of submission and have demonstrated a positive impact to the student experience, built strong community with professionals, demonstrated leadership, involvement, and a commitment to learning.
Scoring Rubric
- Advances the university mission
- Positive impact on the student experience
- Builds community among professionals
- Demonstrates leadership qualities
- Involved in the Carolina community
- Commitment to learning
Recent Winners
2022: Joshua Cauble, Leadership and Service Center; Jessica Gibson, Career Center; Gabriella
Penaherrera, Career Center
2021: Carly Walter, Fraternity and Sorority Life; Emilia DeMarco, Student Disability Resource
Center; and Krystal Reynolds, National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience
and Students in Transition
Recognizes a member of the UofSC faculty who has demonstrated significant support for the division, the division’s programs and services, and the overall quality of campus life by aiding in student access, facilitating student progress and persistence, and advancing learning.
Scoring Rubric
- Engages with the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
- Provides access
- Facilitates students’ progress and persistence
- Advances learning at the university
- Advances learning in the higher education community
Recent Winners
2022: Lara Lomicka Anderson, Preston Residential College Faculty Principall Department
of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
2021: Michael Gavin, First-Year English, College of Arts and Sciences; and Stephen Cutler, College
of Pharmacy
Recognizes the contributions of employees who continuously demonstrate dedication to our mission through positive influences on student learning and engagement by participation in university activities promoting student development, delivering support to students, going above job description, and being approachable and accessible.
Scoring Rubric
- Participation in student-centered university activities
- Promotes academic and personal student development
- Delivers support and guidance to students
- Goes beyond job description to help students
- Approachable and accessible demeanor to students
Recent Winners
2022: Courtney Buzan, Russell House University Union
2021: Anna Edwards, Student Life; and Nikki Prudé, Substance Abuse Prevention and Education
Recognizes UofSC staff members outside the division who have demonstrated significant support for the division mission, programs, and services, and the overall quality of campus life by aiding in student access, facilitating student progress and persistence, and advancing learning.
Scoring Rubric
- Engages with the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
- Provides access
- Facilitates students’ progress and persistence
- Advances learning at the university
- Advances learning in the higher education community
Recent Winners
2022: Ashleigh Speaks, Financial Aid and Scholarships
2021: Beth Bilderback, University Libraries; and Jeff Stensland, Communications and Public
Affairs
Recognizes the effort and tenacity of employees who have displayed heartfelt commitment and ability to recover from a strenuous situation. This staff member has been able to push through barriers in dedication to their role and office’s mission and values in order to continue excellent service for the institution. This award is designed to celebrate the victories of our employees despite setbacks, changing times, and roadblocks along the way.
Scoring Rubric
- Shows dedication to office mission and values
- A clear goal is outlined and achieved
- A significant barrier is addressed and overcome
- The goal’s achievement clearly makes a positive impact on staff or students
Recent Winners
2022: Alisa Liggett, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity; Bethany Naser, New Student
Orientation
2021: Camille Darby, Fraternity and Sorority Life; Kourtney Love, Undergraduate Admissions;
Michael Sisk, Undergraduate Admissions; and Patricia Davis, Student Success Center
Recognizes the contributions of employees who exceptionally complete essential administrative functions within the division that foster student success but are not necessarily always in direct contact with students. This award is designed to celebrate the contributions of employees often completing responsibilities “behind the scenes”, seeking development in their role, and contributing to the success of the organization.
Scoring Rubric:
- Fosters success directly and/or indirectly with students
- Exceeds expectations in their role
- Goes above and beyond expectations of customer service and attitude
- Seeks development in their role
- Contributes to the success of the organization
Recent Winners
2022: Application Reviewers, Undergraduate Admissions; Valarie Lindsay, University Housing;
LeAnne Ryan, University Housing
2021: Haley Joy, University 101 Programs; and Patti King, Undergraduate Admissions
Nominations
Nominations are accepted year-round, and the next awards will be given in spring 2023.