Image with laurels and text reading "Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Awards"

Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Awards

The Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Awards are the highest staff recognition at UC Davis.

The Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Awards for Exceptional University Management and Exceptional University Impact recognize and honor staff employees who have demonstrated exceptional initiative to create significant positive impact on the UC Davis community in the past 18 months.

Congratulations to our 2024 Outstanding Staff

Davis Campus Recipients:

Jason Herum, Office of Research - Bodega Marine Laboratory

Wendy Lilliedoll, Compliance and Policy, Investigations

Elizabeth Sturdy, Graduate Studies

Shannon Tanguay, A&ES Dean's Office

William “Bill” Tuck, Physics and Astronomy

Tabatha Yang, Department of Entomology and Nematology


 

Health Campus Recipients:

Abigail Borbe, Pediatrics

Santana Diaz, Food and Nutrition Services

Leah Galasso, Clinical Informatics

Morgan Luthi, Office of Medical Education 

Nichole Mahaffey, Cancer Center OCR

Kelly Yurkosky, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology - BMT

Awards are given for:

  • Exceptional University Management (Managers & Supervisors)
  • Exceptional University Impact (Individual Contributors)
     

"The Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Awards recognize exceptional staff members whose recent work leaves a notable mark on UC Davis. Selected recipients distinguish themselves by surpassing expectations in advancing the university’s mission and supporting our students, employees, patients, and community. I eagerly await celebrating the 2024 recipients of this highest UC Davis staff honor.”
-- Chancellor Gary S. May


Eligibility

Nominees must be in a staff position (career, contract, temporary) at UC Davis or UC Davis Health, with at least a 50% appointment, and have served in any staff role for at least five years, cumulative and consecutive.

  • Nominees must be meeting or exceeding performance standards.
  • Nominations must be endorsed by the nominee's supervisor or department head. 

Nominations Closed on February 2, 2024

Any UC Davis or UC Davis Health employee could nominate an eligible staff employee.

Five Areas of Distinction

  • Adaptation, Innovation, Efficiency:
  • This staff person demonstrates the ability to develop new methods and approaches resulting in positive change and new standards of performance. Individuals embraced change and acted to move the institution forward by helping the university make substantive improvements to its processes and structures thereby allowing the university to achieve its mission more efficiently and effectively.
  • Integrity, Accountability, Trust:
  • This staff person demonstrates commitment to uphold the ethical standards of the University and to be unwaveringly fair, honest, transparent, and accountable in interactions with colleagues and the wider community.
  • Performance, Engagement:
  • This staff person demonstrates maximum levels of professional competency, reliability, commitment, dependability, and responsibility.
  • Kindness, Culture:
  • This staff person demonstrates commitment to thoughtful, thorough, and sensitive actions and communications paired with a profound capacity to respond to others with humanity and compassion.
  • Collaboration/Support:
  • This staff person demonstrates exceptional ability to effectively and respectfully work within and between groups to manage all points of view toward achieving departmental goals and furthering UC Davis/UC Davis Health priorities in a supportive environment.

Nomination Guidance

Clarity and specificity are key when highlighting the nominee's achievements for the award.

  • The recommended maximum length of the nomination is 500 words.
  • The exceptional contributions outlined in the nomination must have occurred since July 1, 2022.
  • Focus on Impact: Emphasize the overall impact of the nominee's exceptional work, tying their contributions directly to the areas of distinction.
  • Be Specific: Provide clear and specific examples of the nominee's accomplishments, avoiding vague or general statements.
  • Quality Over Quantity: The number of areas addressed is not as important as the quality and overall impact of the work. Prioritize meaningful contributions that align with the areas of distinction.
  • Concise Descriptions: Keep nominations concise and to the point, making every sentence count. Highlight the most significant aspects of the nominee's contributions.
  • If you have any questions, please contact WorkLife Recognition at recognition@ucdavis.edu 

Selecting Award Recipients 

A cross-campus Award Selection Committee consisting of representatives from various UC Davis and UC Davis Health departments will review all nominations.


FAQs
  • How many awardees will be honored?
  • >  For the Manager/Supervisor Award: 1-2 staff employees from both the Davis and Sacramento campuses will be awarded.
    >  For the Individual Contributor Award: 2-3 staff employees from both the Davis and Sacramento campuses will be awarded.

    Every nomination from a grateful co-worker is lasting and meaningful recognition so all individuals receiving a nomination will be listed on this webpage and will receive a letter of acknowledgement and gratitude from our Chief Human Resource Officer.
  • Is there a ceremony or prize/award?
  • Award recipients (+ 1 guest) will be celebrated at a dinner reception at the Chancellor’s Residence.
  • What are the eligibility details?
  • --Nominees must actively be meeting or exceeding performance standards. 
    --Nominees must be endorsed by their supervisor or department head. 
    --
    Nominees must be in a staff position (career, contract, temporary) at UC Davis or UC Davis Health, with at least a 50% appointment, and have served in any staff role for at least five years, cumulative and consecutive.
    --Nominees must not have previously been a recipient of this award.
    --Nominees must have exhibited and sustained outstanding performance as defined by the selection criteria encompassed within the Categories of Distinction.
    --Faculty, Physicians, Academic Staff and Senior Executives are not eligible.
    --Dual appointments are eligible as long as their primary appointment is classified as staff.