Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Program

Dear Rutgers University–Camden Faculty and Staff,
 
On April 16, President Holloway announced the second annual Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Program—a program designed to strengthen institutional pride and celebrate the exceptional contributions of our university's faculty and staff.
 
Last year, five award categories were established, each aligning to one or more of the university’s key value propositions: ensuring access and academic excellence, building a beloved community, and serving the common good. Beginning this year, a new category honoring longtime contributions by faculty and staff members has been added. The categories are listed below and can accommodate individual and team nominations, except Lifetime Contribution Awards, which are awarded only to individuals.

AWARD CATEGORIES

• Rutgers Lifetime Contribution Award (Faculty):
  Celebrates the extraordinary achievements of a faculty member who has devoted more than two decades of their professional journey to enriching the academic landscape and leaving an indelible mark on the university. This prestigious accolade acknowledges individuals whose tireless commitment has shaped the essence of our institution. Their impact transcends generations, shaping the intellectual landscape and nurturing the next wave of visionary leaders.
• Rutgers Lifetime Contribution Award (Staff):
  Celebrates the extraordinary achievements of a staff member whose dedication, innovation, and excellence over more than two decades has significantly contributed to the enhancement of our university. This prestigious accolade acknowledges individuals whose tireless commitment has shaped the essence of our institution. Their impact transcends generations, shaping the intellectual landscape and nurturing the next wave of visionary leaders. 
• Rutgers Gateway Award (Service to Students):
  Recognizes staff, faculty, or a team of employees who go to exceptional lengths to remove barriers and provide access to those pursuing a Rutgers education. The selected individual or team recognizes the value of a diverse student body and the challenges that students often face and seeks to make education more accessible and attainable.
• Rutgers Gateway Award (Service to Employees):
  Recognizes staff, faculty, or a team of employees who go to exceptional lengths to remove barriers to build a more positive work environment, improve employee engagement and morale, and create operational efficiencies through forward-thinking process improvements. The recipient or recipients recognize the value of a diverse workforce and encourage cross-departmental teamwork to address shared challenges and improve workplace culture. 
• Rutgers University Spirt Award:
  Celebrates differences and recognizes significant contributions to cultivating a beloved community—one in which all members work together and are heard—at Rutgers University. This individual or team exemplifies this commitment by promoting and advancing dialogue, mutual respect, and a spirit of belonging to create a healthy Rutgers ecosystem.
• Rutgers Outstanding Service Award:
  Recognizes faculty, staff, and/or a team that demonstrate a relentless determination to make a lasting difference beyond the university’s borders. The recipient or recipients display a demonstrated commitment to moving society toward a greater common good and encourage constructive collaboration in service to our local and global communities.
• Pride of Rutgers Award:
  Given to those who exemplify the university’s value propositions through their day-to-day actions. This award recognizes Rutgers employees who exceed the expectations of their day-to-day tasks; provide exceptional customer service taking the time to understand the needs of our students, staff, patients, and/or visitors to meet their needs consistently and effectively; serve as problem solvers and find innovative ways to save time, money, or other resources; and demonstrate a consistency in getting the job done right and on time.

I encourage each and every one of you to think about the exceptional work you do internally and the partnerships you leverage to advance mutual goals and objectives. You have my support to nominate yourselves or your colleagues for one of these awards and my gratitude for your hard work and dedication. Please note that all nominations are due by Monday, July 15, 2024.

Please visit the program website to learn more about the Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Program and find details about the nomination process, eligibility criteria, and more. Act now so you can compile a full submission by the deadline; this sample nomination form shows all of the elements required, including letters of support.

Sincerely,
 
Antonio D. Tillis, Ph.D.
Chancellor