The annual Psychology Staff Excellence Award recognizes staff who have demonstrated excellence and professionalism in their overall performance and who have made meaningful contributions to their unit and/or the Department of Psychology.
Past Staff Excellence Award Winners:
- Anthony Graham, Mary Simonsen (2025)
- Darien Schweitz, Kamran Motevaze (2024)
- Rachel Gage (2023)
- Amy Kranz, Amanda Schmit (2022)
- Sarah Jahn, Silke Moeller (2021)
- Rachel Goeller, Heather Kreft (2020)
- Felix Pichardo, Mike Houlahan (2019)
Excellence Award
Purpose
The Psychology Staff Excellence Award recognizes staff who have demonstrated excellence and professionalism in their overall performance and who have made meaningful contributions to their unit and/or the Department of Psychology.
Eligibility
- Permanent staff members with appointments of 75% or greater.
- Must have been employed in the Department of Psychology within the past 12 months.
- Staff members who have been awarded a college-level award (e.g., Outstanding Service Award) are ineligible for this award until 1 year has passed.
- Winners of this award are ineligible for 5 years.
- Consider nominating individuals who would also shine at the College and/or University level.
Nomination Process
Two letters of nomination should be submitted to the committee.
- One letter must be the nomination letter from their direct supervisor
- One letter must be a letter of support for the nomination
- No more than three total letters will be accepted
If necessary, the Staff Recognition Committee may request further information from the nominee or department before a final decision is made.
Evaluation Criteria
A successful nomination will document how the achievements of the nominee meet the criteria of the award. Letters should provide evidence of one or more of the following criteria:
- Extraordinary contributions to their unit and/or the Department, in addition to routine duties;
- High professional standards;
- Excellence in their positions while promoting and supporting the work of their unit and/or the Department;
- Excellence in leadership, innovation, and/or problem-solving abilities; and,
- Advancing the mission, vision, and goals of the unit and/or the Department.
Nomination Deadline
Nominations are due to the Staff Recognition Committee Chair in mid may.
Selection Process
The Staff Recognition Committee will review nominations and send its award recommendations to the Department Chair for approval in late March. Two award winners will be selected each year. Winners will be announced in April.
Holley Locher Chief of Staff N210 EltH | 625-7852 [email protected] | Stephen Fiksdal Chair's Office Assistant N210 EltH | 625-7444 [email protected] | Amanda Schmit Office & Communications Manager N218 EltH | 625-2546 [email protected] | |
Yamir Galan Student Assistant N218 EltH | 625-2818 [email protected] | Taylor Hartmann Student Assistant N218 EltH | 625-2818 [email protected] | Kaya Reynal O'Connor Student Assistant N218 EltH | 625-2818 [email protected] | Madison Stromberg Communications Assistant N211 EltH [email protected] |