Peer Recognition Awards
Peer Recognition Awards
Do you know a special UNC-Chapel Hill staff member (permanent, full or part-time) who deserves recognition? The Employee Forum’s Recognition and Awards Committee invites you to nominate them for a Peer Recognition Award!
For those who are not aware, the University Managers Association (UMA) recently merged with the Employee Forum. Following that merger, nominations for their Manager of the Year award and the Outstanding Encouragement of Learning and Development (OELD) award will be accepted during the Employee Forum’s peer recognition award nomination process.
Nomination statements are limited to 500 words, and we recommend drafting them in a word document separately and pasting them into Qualtrics to avoid the system timing out. Please note that if you’d like to submit additional nominations, you will need to reload the survey and make a separate submission for each nomination.
* Last year’s winners are not eligible to win the same category as the previous year. However, previous award winners are eligible to be nominated under a new category the following year if they meet the specified criteria and are eligible for the same award they won in future years, just not in consecutive years. Previous nominees who did not win are eligible to be re-nominated for the same award in consecutive years. *
Nominations closed Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM.
The Forum will recognize winning nominees at the Employee Forum’s full body meeting in June.
Award Categories
| Award | Description | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Award: 3-Legged Stool | Nominees should be individuals who inspire creativity; promote harmony and partnerships within the University community; inspire teamwork, cooperation, and participation; demonstrate new approaches to current processes; encourage, mentor and build bridges; form alliances to work collectively; or any other significant community building activities. | $100 (1 award per year) |
| Manager of the Year Award Previously awarded by the University Managers Association | This award is given to a permanent full-time manager with two or more years of University service who has distinguished accomplishments throughout their University career, both within and beyond their normal job responsibilities, or has accomplished something specifically within the past twelve months that has been of major significance. The specific accomplishment cited may be within or beyond the nominee’s primary area of responsibility. | $100 (1 award per year) |
| Outstanding Encouragement of Learning and Development (OELD) Award Previously awarded by HR via the University Managers Association | Given annually to a supervisor or manager who actively facilitates the participation of staff members in learning activities. An eligible supervisor encourages employees to attend classes and programs that are relevant to the employees’ professional development, and the University wants to recognize supervisors who support a more engaged, productive workforce. Both SHRA and EHRA managers who have had at least one year of continuous University service are eligible for nomination. | $100 (1 award per year) |
| Overton Leadership Award | Honoring the memory of Jackie Overton, beloved Forum Chair; honoring individuals who lead their unit and the University through involvement in staff issues, committee work, teamwork and professional development of peers; nominees should demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities, inspire and involve others, and work to ensure their impact is long-lasting. Nominee does not have to be a supervisor to be awarded. | $100 (2 awards per year) |
| Pinnacle Award | This is a prestigious award that recognizes an individual who has demonstrated leadership, vision, and commitment to excellence. Nominees should be individuals who are on a path of continuous learning through professional development. Nominees should also have proposed a new idea and moved the idea toward implementation and is constantly creating a supportive and inclusive environment. | $100 (2 awards per year) |
| Professional Excellence Award | This is awarded to individuals who demonstrate exceptional execution above and beyond assigned duties, foster supportive interactions within their department and among campus departments, and exhibit exemplary engagement with the broader community. Nominees should exemplify outstanding dedication and contributions, showcasing collaborative efforts and impactful connections both within and beyond the university environment. | $100 (4 awards per year) |
| Staff Member of Year: Hall of Famer | This accolade is meant to recognize individuals who consistently exemplify the University's core values of integrity, collaboration, respect, and high-level customer service. Nominees for this award should have dedicated at least 5 years of service to the institution. | $100 (2 awards per year) |
| Staff Member of Year: Perfect Addition | This award honors individuals who consistently embody the institution's missions of integrity, collaboration, respect, and high-level customer service. Nominees for this award should have been with the university less than 2 years, demonstrating exceptional dedication from the outset of their tenure. | $100 (2 awards per year) |
2024 Peer Recognition Award Winners
| Award | Winner | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Community Award (3-Legged Stool) | Dr. Lori Haight | School of Information & Library Sciences |
| Manager of the Year | Taylor King | Comparative Medicine |
| Outstanding Encouragement of Learning and Development | Brian Lackman | Student Life & Leadership |
| Hall of Fame | Phillip Spangler | School of Nursing |
| Hall of Fame | Kyle York | Hussman School of Journalism and Media |
| Overton Leadership | Sandy Barnhart | Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases |
| Overton Leadership | Yana Biblin | VCR Research Administration Service Center |
| Perfect Addition | Lidia Colato-Raez | Gillings School of Public Health |
| Perfect Addition | Gabi Peterson | RENCI |
| Pinnacle | Kim Capri | Health Services |
| Pinnacle | Katherine O'Brien | Facilites Technology Group |
| Professional Excellence | Tara Carr | Center for Health Equity Research |
| Professional Excellence | Kelly Dockham | Office of Public Affairs |
| Professional Excellence | Megan FinCannon | Carolina Housing |
| Professional Excellence | Ken Whitt | Time Information Management |
2023 Peer Recognition Award Winners
| Award | Winner | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Community Award (3-Legged Stool) | Patrick Preudhomme | Carolina Housing |
| Hall of Fame | Summer Montgomery | Biology |
| Hall of Fame | Kim Spurr | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Overton Leadership | Jamila Lunsford | Comparative Medicine |
| Overton Leadership | Cathy "Coop" Roberts-Cooper | Carolina Housing, Residential Learning |
| Perfect Addition | Becca Gillison | Carolina Housing |
| Perfect Addition | Julianne Hall | Chemistry |
| Pinnacle | Jane McDaniel | Medical Student Education |
| Pinnacle | Adam Shirey | Health Sciences |
| Professional Excellence | Vaughn Booker | ITS - Education Technologies |
| Professional Excellence | Judy Owen | Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute |
| Professional Excellence | Chris Pendergrass | Carolina Performing Arts |
| Professional Excellence | Michelle Song | Social Medicine |
| Professional Excellence | Sloan Thompson | Sexual Assault Violence Prevention and Advocacy Services |
2022 Peer Recognition Award Winners
| Award | Winner | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Community Award (3-Legged Stool) | Rob Birrenkott | School of Law |
| Staff Member of the Year: Hall of Famer | Ryan Neve | Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences |
| Staff Member of the Year: Hall of Famer | Pam Morrison | School of Pharmacy |
| Staff Member of the Year: Perfect Addition | Christopher Daley | Renaissance Computing Institute |
| Staff Member of the Year: Perfect Addition | Crystal Wu | Arts Everywhere |
| Professional Excellence | Kimi Yingling | Innovate Carolina |
| Professional Excellence | Ali Ramirez | Student Affairs, Dean of Students |
| Professional Excellence | Stephanie Forman | Health Policy & Management |
| Professional Excellence | Susan Pedersen | Global Health & Infectious Disease |
| Overton Leadership | Logan Brackett | Biology |
| Overton Leadership | Dr. Valerie Tan | Allied Health Sciences |
| Pinnacle | Dr. Jennifer DeNeal | Ethics & Policy |
2021 Peer Recognition Award Winners
| Award | Winner | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Community Award (3-Legged Stool) | Jeffrey Fuchs | University Bands, Music |
| Hall of Fame | Melissa Hobgood | Gillings School of Public Health |
| Hall of Fame | Joyce Loftin | History |
| Overton Leadership | Dr. Shauna Harris | School of Education |
| Overton Leadership | Katie Thornsvard | Gillings School of Global Public Health |
| Perfect Addition | Calvin Grant | Chemistry |
| Perfect Addition | Mandy Melton | Chemistry |
| Pinnacle | Anna Engelke | Applied Physical Sciences |
| Pinnacle | Ebony Johnson | Institute for Arts & Humanities |
| Professional Excellence | Megan Brockett | School of Medicine |
| Professional Excellence | Timothy Blackmon | School of Nursing |
| Professional Excellence | Megan Whitaker | Carolina Performing Arts |
| Professional Excellence | Jessica Wilkinson | Kenan Institute for Private Enterprise |
2020 Peer Recognition Award Winners
| Award | Winner | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Community Award (3-Legged Stool) | Jackson Szeto | School of Medicine Clinical Skills Center |
| Hall of Fame | Jacquelyn Gist | University Career Services |
| Hall of Fame | Janette Goins | TraCS Institute, School of Nursing |
| Overton Leadership | Shannon Eubanks | Political Science |
| Overton Leadership | Brandon Washington | Equal Opportunity & Compliance |
| Perfect Addition | Kayla Gardner | Allied Health |
| Perfect Addition | Mark Wampole | Information Technology Services |
| Pinnacle | Toska Cooper | Injury Prevention Research Center |
| Pinnacle | Stephenie McIntyre | University Career Services |
| Professional Excellence | Jarveal Baker | Honors Carolina |
| Professional Excellence | Tyler Handfinger | University Development |
| Professional Excellence | Clare Lorch | Carolina Community Garden |
| Professional Excellence | Yesenia Pedro Vicente | The Graduate School |
2019 Peer Recognition Award Winners
| Award | Winner | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Community Award (3-Legged Stool) | Beverly Garcia | Center for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention |
| Hall of Fame: Staff Member of Year | Roman Tadesse | School of Dentistry |
| Hall of Fame: Staff Member of Year | Angelica Figueroa | University Advancement |
| Perfect Addition: Staff Member of Year | Erin Kelley | Arts & Sciences Foundation |
| Perfect Addition: Staff Member of Year | Mariel Eaves | LGBTQ Center |
| Pinnacle | Vivane Lanos | Office of the Dean of Students |
| Pinnacle | Jaci Field | Athletics |
| Overton Leadership | Dawna Jones | Office of the Dean of Students |
| Overton Leadership | Terry Brewer | Building Services |
| Professional Excellence | Melissa Green | Allied Health Services |
| Professional Excellence | Teri Smith | School of Public Health |
| Professional Excellence | Priya Kearney | Kenan-Flagler Business School |
| Professional Excellence | Katherine Cresante | Allied Health Services |
2018 Peer Recognition Award Winners
| Award | Winner | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Community Award (3-Legged Stool) | Baskin Cooper | Arts & Sciences Information Services |
| Back Office | Deveda Eubanks | Comparative Medicine |
| Back Office | Cheryl Gerringer | Workforce Strategy, Equity and Engagement |
| Back Office | Corey Sanders | Gillings School of Public Health |
| Big Buddy | Cheryl Stout | Transportation & Parking |
| Big Buddy | Gloria Thomas | Carolina Women's Center |
| Call of Duty | Catherine Kronk | Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases |
| Call of Duty | Maria Romano | Craniofacial Center |
| Call of Duty | Sherryl Seigfreid | Information Technology Services |
| Congeniality | Manny Coker-Schwimmer | Sheps Center for Health Services Research |
| Congeniality | Robin King | School of Nursing |
| Congeniality | Sarah Wackerhagen | Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute |
| Customer Service | Shaketha Edwards | School of Medicine |
| Customer Service | Angie King | Athletics |
| Milestone | Kathy Dutton | Athletics |
| Milestone | Rodney Morris | Athletics |
| Rookie | Erin Edwards | School of Medicine |
| Rookie | Patricia Harris | School of Education |
| Self-Improvement | Dawn O'Neal | School of Nursing |
| Unsung Hero | Rhonda Beatty | Carolina Center for Public Service |
| Unsung Hero | Timothy Blackmon | School of Nursing |
| Unsung Hero | Nate Hilton | Athletics |
