Employee Recognition Programs

Recognition of employees years of service and accomplishments are part of the University of Northern Iowa’s history and culture. There are multiple programs available that serve as opportunities to recognize accomplishments. Although there are annual division recognition events, recognition for accomplishments should be given throughout the year.

Examples of formal recognition awards are:

University-Wide

• Panther First
• Regents Award for Faculty Excellence
• Regents Staff Excellence Award for Merit Supervisory & Confidential staff
• Regents Staff Excellence Award for P&S staff
  
• Years of Service
  

Administration & Financial Services

• Eunice Dell Award
  
• High Five Award
  

Student Affairs

• Sue Follon Award
  

Academic Affairs

• Awards Administered by the Provost
  
  

Office of the President

• President’s Division Award of Distinction – Awarded annually to one President’s division employee
  

Please take an opportunity to view the various awards and familiarize yourself with the criteria. Great things are often done to support one another and the goals of UNI so please take a moment to consider recognizing employees for these efforts through one of the recognition programs.

Informal Ways to Recognize

Not everyone likes all forms of recognition. It is suggested that for more public forms of recognition, that one first determines that person's comfort level with public recognition.

1. Recognize the person at a staff meeting if the person is in your department
   
2. Write a personal UNI Thank You note to someone to recognize them for their efforts - personal notes/cards can make a big impact in an electronic society
   
3. Bring the person deserving recognition a home-made or UNI Dining treat they would like
   
4. Tell the person face-to-face what you appreciated about their work, approach, commitment or results and sincerely thank them
   
5. Send an email to the person you are recognizing with a copy to their supervisor
   
6. Nominate the person for one of the UNI award programs
   
7. Suggest that at staff meetings, everyone takes a turn recognizing a co-worker for something they did well. The positivity pays dividends!
   
8. If you manage, take time to celebrate departmental, project or individual successes
   
9. Pay it forward - if you receive praise for an accomplishment and others contributed to that success, be sure to recognize them as well
   
10. If you supervise and you receive recognition for one of your staff, pass that recognition on to your supervisor so recognition is shared up the reporting line
    
11. If you supervise and you see good work and expertise, empower them to lead a specific project or work team. This shows your confidence in them and further develops their leadership skills