Outstanding Staff Awards

The Outstanding Staff Awards are presented annually, and we are pleased to announce the nominations are now open! This opportunity is open to all staff. Submissions will be open from Monday, April 1 through Friday, May 3 at 11:59 p.m.

Nominate someone today!

Please feel free to nominate your fellow staff member(s) for the following five (5) categories:

Staff Who Make a Difference Award

Who it's for: Four (4) staff members representing (one staff member for each) the following UCR employment groups: Service, Administrative, Technical, and Professional.

Learn more about the Staff Who Make a Difference Award

2023 winners:

Technical: Priscilliano Saavedra, CNAS, Chemistry
Service: Crystal Petrini, CHASS, English & Philosophy
Administrative: Guille Vallejo, CNAS, Physics & Astronomy
Professional: Gladis Herrera-Berkowitz, Undergraduate Education

2022 winners:

Technical: Mike Bonetti, UCR Palm Desert Center
Service: Francisco Herandez, Facilities Services
Administrative: Alice Chavez, Chicano Student Programs & Undocumented Student Programs
Professional: Cortney Crooms, Enrollment Services - Finance & Administrative Services Team (F.A.S.T.)

People Helping People Award

Who it's for: One (1) staff member selected based on community service.

Learn more about the People Helping People Award

2023 winner: Jasmine Veliz, UCR Extension

2022 winner: Alex Cortez, CNAS: Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology/Botany & Plant Sciences

Tartan Soul Award

Who it's for: One (1) individual selected based on strengths in any/all of the four (4) Tartan Soul criteria areas (i.e. excellence, accountability, integrity, respect).

Learn more about the Tartan Soul Award

2023 winner: Marie Martin, UCR Extension

2022 winner: Susan Komura, CHASS Art/History of Art

Diversity Award

Who it's for: One (1) staff member selected based on above & beyond the commitment to diversity in the UCR community.

Learn more about the Diversity Award

2023 winner: Michelle Burroughs, School of Medicine, Center for Healthy Communities

2022 winner: Melbert Sebayan, University Communications

Mary Johnson Outstanding Retiree Award

Who it's for: Each year, this award will be given to those retired staff who have demonstrated a high level of volunteer service to the campus and surrounding communities and participation in campus activities/programs while in retirement.

Learn more about the Mary Johnson Outstanding Retiree Award

2023 winner: Bob Daly, Strategic Academic Research & Analysis

2022 winner: Sheryl Hayes, formerly of Financial Aid

Volunteer of the Year Award

The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented annually to an exceptional Staff Assembly volunteer. Individuals are nominated by other volunteers and Staff Assembly Executive Board members. The Executive Board reviews and discusses the relative contributions of each candidate before selecting a winner.

Learn more about the Volunteer of the Year Award

2023 winner: Valerie Batlle, Student Recreation Center

2022 winner: Dante Kruise, UCR Basic Needs