Staff Community Awards

The Collaboration Award celebrates outstanding partnerships between two or more colleagues and the positive impact of their collaborative efforts at Westminster University. It recognizes someone whose work demonstrates the communication, trust, adaptability, and empathy that define effective collaboration. Collaborations could be between staff members, staff and faculty, across departments, etc., as long as at least two entities are working together.

Criteria

Nominee demonstrates effective collaboration through some or all of the following:

• Clear communication
• Trust, mutual respect, and shared accountability
• Adaptability in response to challenges or changing need
• Empathy and inclusion of diverse perspectives
• The collaboration results in a positive impact on colleague relationships and/or the broader campus community

Winner: Audrey Clare

Nominator: Chris LeCluyse
Nomination: Audrey has been incredibly proactive in promoting the graduating senior survey, reaching out to programs across the university to ensure that their students participate so they can see how their programs prepare students for life after graduation. This is just one of the areas where Audrey has promoted collaboration among staff and faculty. She also helped organize the Ecological Validation Book Group and the Strengths-Based Approach to Working with Students workshop.

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes a new leader who is already making a meaningful impact within their role. The recipient demonstrates a commitment to learning, takes initiative, and challenges themselves and others to grow. They are recognized as a positive influence and growing leader within their field and the overall campus community.

Criteria

Must be an early career professional or someone who has recently moved into a new leadership role who meets 1 or more of the following:

• Either formally or informally influences others to improve and grow
• Demonstrates commitment to their role and the betterment of their team’s experience
• Seeks additional responsibilities or opportunities when possible
• Engages in and/or creates opportunities for community development

Winner: Binnie Morris

Nominator: Meghan Taylor
Nomination: Binnie is a recent grad (class of '23) and newly promoted Assistant Director in Advancement Services. She also serves as Vice Chair of Staff Council, where she’s stepped up to support new initiatives, such as recreating the "W" picture with faculty, staff, and students. Binnie is an asset to the Westminster community and an inspiring example of young leadership.

The Exemplary Griffin Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership through mentorship and motivation of colleagues. They encourage excellence in teamwork, performance, and achievement within their department while actively supporting the university’s vision and goals. They foster an inclusive environment grounded in respect of diverse perspectives.

Criteria

Must meet 2 or more of the following:

• Mentors at least one colleague within their department and/or across the campus
• Fosters a culture of excellence by motivating others and promoting strong teamwork and performance
• Contributes actively to university initiatives, committees, or efforts that support institutional goals and drive change
• Promotes an inclusive environment by valuing diverse perspectives and treating others with respect
• Recognizes the contributions of others and provides thoughtful, constructive feedback to support growth and development

Winner: Laura Iverson

Nominator: Traci Siriprathane
Nomination: nominate Laura for the Exemplary Griffin Award for her leadership and teamwork across campus to inspire and motivate staff to be well! Laura has been at Westminster for almost 18 years! With Wellness a focus for everything Laura plans for campus she fosters a collaborative and supportive environment for staff to try something knew or participate in opportunities to focus on their wellness. Whether it is attending the Griffin Gourmet cooking class to learn new easy and healthy recipes or attending other wellness presentations like snack and craft or crocheting. Laura is also very willing to take wellness initiatives to different departments whether it is leading a sound bowl class for different departments or doing a team cooking session with them in the new Skaggs kitchen. The biggest event that Laura coordinates is the employee wellness fair which motivates staff to focus on their wellness for an entire day. Laura plans events throughout the day to focus on all dimensions of wellness which can motivate staff to pick an activity or presentation to inspire them to attend an area of wellness that they may want to improve upon. While not specifically a staff event Laura also coordinates with multiple departments on campus to offer stress less week to Westminster students.

The Campus Innovation and Impact Award recognizes an individual or department who improves or develops processes, systems, or services. The recipient makes innovation a priority, takes reasonable and calculated risks, and encourages others across campus to adopt creative, innovative solutions that improve outcomes at Westminster.

Criteria

Must meet 1 or more of the following:

• Demonstrates a commitment to innovation by encouraging new ideas, creative problem-solving, or improved practices
• Carefully identifies problematic systems or processes and quickly implements effective solutions
• Questions existing assumptions and considers diverse perspectives when approaching challenges
• Creatively navigates limited resources to address concerns impacting the university. Provides a wide range of suggestions to approach change in a practical and mindful manner

Winner: Piper Rogers

Nominator: Jacob Ericksen
Nomination: Piper embodies both innovation and impact in her work creating and implementing new budget processes. Exemplifying bold leadership, Piper's team has taken feedback from our community to creatively innovate our financial system with the limited resources we have. With the tumultuous landscape of higher education funding, Piper's impact directly affects our community's ability to best serve our students. As a "behind the scenes" employee, Piper inspires us to make an impact even if no one sees it.

The Student Success Award recognizes a staff member who has gone above and beyond to support or mentor students. The recipient creates an accessible, transformational student experience and ensures students feel heard, valued, and supported in their education at Westminster University.

Criteria

Must meet 1 or more of the following:

• Mentors students and creates space for them to feel safe, respected, and heard
• Demonstrates a genuine commitment to student success and well-being
• Advocates for student needs and perspectives within the university
• Encourages an innovative approach to improving the standards of student learning and experience
• Creates experiences that significantly impact students’ growth, learning, or personal development

Winner: Karla Motta

Nominator: Christie Fox
Nomination: In a truly unprecedented year for higher education, and especially for a program for first-generation and low-income students funded by federal appropriations, McNair Scholars Director Karla Motta has gone above and beyond to support the success of the McNair students at Westminster.

As I write this, Karla is attending the second of two back-to-back undergraduate research conferences with her Scholars, determined to provide them opportunities to present their work, meet with graduate programs, and connect with other students and TRIO folks no matter what is going on in the world. She arranges all of the travel and introduces her students not only to scholarly discourse but to the logistics of travel, including budgeting, healthy eating, and professionalism, equipping them with the “adulting” tools they need to be successful in graduate school and in life.

At the same time, Karla is managing a federal grant in the midst of great turmoil. The McNair students are coming to her, wondering about the future of the grant and Karla has to talk them down as best she can. Websites sometimes don’t work or disappear, and every day a new rumor emerges, but every day Karla is here for her Scholars.

Karla has high standards for the McNair students, knowing that the world isn’t cutting them any slack. She is there cheering their successes, sharing in their struggles, and providing solid advice on the way forward. If Westminster McNair Scholars are ready for the world it is in no small part thanks to the work that Karla is putting in.

The Hidden Gem Award recognizes someone who works behind the scenes, yet whose praise deserves to be sung. Their work is essential and ensures the success of the university. Though less visible or forward-facing, the recipient ensures the system keeps running! They are recognized as reliable and an essential part of the overall university machinery.

Criteria

Must meet 1 or more of the following:

• Works in a support, operational or administrative capacity rather than a highly public-facing role (examples include roles in IS, maintenance, facilities, finance, accounting, or other similar behind-the-scenes roles)
• Demonstrates consistency and dependability day after day, ensuring things run smoothly without being asked
• Performs their job with quiet excellence and humility not to seek recognition or credit, but to strategically improve university operations