Submit a Nomination
Outstanding New Student Affairs Employee/Staff Member
This award recognizes an individual that has been in the Division under 2 years, and within that time has excelled at their job responsibilities. This person will have made impactful outcomes during their tenure, while furthering success within their department.
Provide a specific example(s):
- Dedication: How has this individual connected with the current staff and students?
- Creativity: How has this individual redeveloped an existing or created a new initiative/program/project and assessed its success?
- Relationships: How has this individual begun to develop relationships outside of their department/area?
- Care: How has this individual shown care for fellow ‘Canes and contributed to the Culture of Belonging?
- Integration: How has this individual begun to embrace the University of Miami’s common purpose, values, and behaviors, as well as the Division of Student Affairs Standards of Excellence?
Outstanding Job Performance
This award recognizes an individual that exemplifies high-quality work and has made a significant impact in their position. This person has developed outstanding relationships with students, staff, and departments in addition to displaying instances of innovation and/or creativity.
Provide a specific example(s):
- Care: How has this individual contributed to the Culture of Belonging through interactions with colleagues, peers, and students?
- Student Engagement: How has this person been able to engage with students, be that through programming, relationship building, or support?
- Collaboration: How has this person collaborated with others to develop or improve a program or service for the betterment of the university community?
- Integration: How has this individual embraced the University of Miami’s common purpose, values, and behaviors, as well as the Division of Student Affairs Standards of Excellence?
Note: Undergraduate and Graduate students can be nominated for this award.
Exceptional Work with Students
This award recognizes an individual that is dedicated to our students. This person is a positive role model and mentor and supports students holistically in their personal, professional, and academic pursuits.
Provide a specific example(s):
- Role Model: How has this individual modeled professional behavior among fellow staff and students? (Ex. Culture Transformation DIRECCT Values: Diversity, Integrity, Responsibility, Excellence, Compassion, Creativity, Teamwork)
- Advocate: How has this individual contributed to the betterment of the student experience? (Ex. advocate for student concerns, connect students to resources, develop a new program/service)
- Mentor: How has this individual engaged and provided opportunities for students looking to gain practical experience and professional skills beyond the classroom?
- Character: How did this individual demonstrate genuine and supportive relationships with students?
Outstanding Departmental Initiative
This award recognizes a new or enhanced initiative that fulfills the needs and aligns with the visions of the Division of Student Affairs. This initiative provided exceptional programming and engagement to impact the student experience.
Provide a specific example(s):
- Program: Describe the initiative. What existing needs did this address?
- Impact: What is the impact of this initiative on students? What were the data and assessment practices and outcomes?
- Creativity: How does this initiative use innovative thinking in its development?
- Student Experience: How did student involvement in the design/execution of the initiative contribute to their personal and professional development?
Outstanding Collaborative Departmental Initiative
This award recognizes at least two departments within or outside the Division of Student Affairs that took a collaborative impact the student experience through new or enhanced program.
Provide a specific example(s):
- Program: Describe the initiative. What existing needs did this address?
- Impact: What is the impact of this initiative on students? What were the data and assessment practices and outcomes?
- Collaboration: How did each departmental involved contribute to the initiative?
- Student Experience: How did student involvement in the design/execution of the initiative contribute to their personal and professional development?
Patricia A. Whitely Student Affairs Enrichment Award
This award recognizes an individual that is an active professional throughout the university, region, and nation. This person has used their knowledge and experiences to contribute to their profession on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs and the University of Miami.
Provide a specific example(s):
- Professional Development: How has this individual made significant lifetime contributions upon the field of student affairs through regional or national involvement in presentations, professional organizations, committees and publications?
- University Engagement: How has this person shown a strong commitment to student engagement, the Division of Student Affairs mission, and the University through their extraordinary service?
- Innovative: How has this person demonstrated improvement and/or creativity in programs, services, and resources provided by the Division of Student Affairs?
- Character: How has this person demonstrated characteristics of a model student affairs professional throughout their career?
The Laurel Awards committee is responsible for the nomination process and the selection of award recipients.
