National Higher Education Human Resource Awards

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Nomination Deadlines:
National Higher Education Human Resource Awards — March 12, 2012
Excellence in Human Resource Practices Award — Varies by Region

Inclusion Cultivates Excellence Award

Recognizing institutions committed to making a difference
Sponsored by PeopleAdmin

CUPA-HR values diversity, advocates inclusive and equitable practices, and engages its members in establishing a culture in higher education that welcomes, learns from and celebrates differences among people. CUPA-HR recognizes that a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is essential to achieving excellence for our association and our member institutions.

The Inclusion Cultivates Excellence Award recognizes and celebrates institutional initiatives and programs that have made a significant impact with respect to inclusive and equitable workplace practices, particularly those that have brought about cultural change throughout the organization. The institution selected for the award each year will receive not only national recognition, but also a $5,000 contribution to its endowment.

Eligibility Note: Individuals who are employed by CUPA-HR, individuals who serve on the CUPA-HR national board of directors, and the institutions of those directors are not eligible to receive awards during their terms of service.

Criteria:

The program takes a creative approach and has had a significant impact on the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty and/or staff, fosters engagement and provides education that builds inclusion.
The program has been implemented and has been in place for at least one year with measurable results.
The institution’s HR department was instrumental in creating the program, and/or actively participates in the program;
The program demonstrates an institutional commitment to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive community;
The institution that developed the program is an member of the national association (CUPA-HR).

Donald E. Dickason Award

Donald E. Dickason Sponsored by TIAA-CREF

CUPA-HR’s highest honor is named for the association’s founder. Established in 1970, this award recognizes an individual for outstanding service to CUPA-HR, as well as the profession.

Through the generous support of TIAA-CREF, CUPA-HR will make a contribution of $4,000 to the institutional endowment or scholarship fund of the recipient’s choice.

Eligibility Note: Individuals who are employed by the association, individuals who serve on the CUPA-HR national board of directors, and the institutions of those directors are not eligible to receive awards during their terms of service.

Criteria:

Distinguished and continuing service to CUPA-HR during a period of ten or more years;
Significant contributions to CUPA-HR in terms of new ideas, dedication and commitment;
Service in a variety of leadership roles at all levels of the organization; and
Excellence and professionalism in the field of higher education human resource administration.

Distinguished Service Award

Sponsored by Kronos Incorporated

This award is given to a CUPA-HR member who has given outstanding service to the association through constituent activities, including service in governance or leadership roles, or through professional development contributions in support of the association.

Through the generous support of Kronos Incorporated, CUPA-HR will make a contribution of $3,000 to the institutional endowment or scholarship fund of the recipient’s choice.

Criteria:

Outstanding service to CUPA-HR within the past five fiscal years;
Professionalism in the field of higher education human resource administration; AND
Leadership activities on the national or regional board of directors, advisory committees or task forces; OR
Significant contributions to CUPA-HR’s professional development programs.

Community Service and Outreach Award

Sponsored by Fidelity Investments

Rooted in CUPA-HR’s ongoing commitment to service and volunteerism, the Community Service and Outreach Award was created in 2010 to recognize the efforts of institutions to engage their employees through community service and outreach. Its intent is to applaud these programs and to share them with other institutions as examples of excellence. The institution selected for the award each year will receive not only national recognition, but also a $10,000 contribution to its endowment, thanks to the generous support of Fidelity Investments.

Criteria:

The community outreach program is unique and/or has had a significant impact;
The program has been implemented and has been received in a positive manner;
The program was initiated and conducted by employees, and was not a student-based program;
The institution’s HR department was instrumental in creating the program, OR actively participated in the program;
The program demonstrates a commitment to employee volunteerism and community service off-campus;
The institution that developed the program is an member of the national association (CUPA-HR).

HE Innovation Awards

Sponsored by Datatel+SGHE

This award honors a team or an individual’s demonstrated human resource innovation at a higher edu institution. Innovations can be technological, based in process improvement, a novel partnership that advances the profession or a new approach to an HR department’s current challenge, but most importantly, they must advance the human resource profession or contribute to the overall excellence of the profession. Award categories are based upon institution budget size.

Small (less than $25 million)
Medium ($25 million to $100 million)
Large (more than $100 million)

Through the generous support of SunGard Higher Education, CUPA-HR will make a contribution of $3,000 to the institutional endowment or scholarship fund of the recipient’s choice. Recipients must be willing to share information about their innovation, either in a CUPA-HR publication or conference presentation, as requested.

Criteria:

The innovation is unique, effective or both;
The innovation is in practice (that is, implemented) at the institution and has been received in a positive manner;
The innovation has led to improved performance of the institution, the unit in which the department resides or the human resource department;
The achievement has advanced the profession and/or promoted better understanding of human resource management;
The nominee’s institution is a member of CUPA-HR.

Excellence in Human Resource Practices Award

Sponsored by VALIC

This regional and national award honors the achievements of college and university HR professionals or teams at CUPA-HR member institutions in improving the quality of programs and services on their own campuses through effective HR administration practices. Preference will be given to those achievements that have become or have the potential to become models for best practices.

Through the generous support of VALIC, CUPA-HR will make contributions of $750 to the endowment of each regional recipient’s choice and $2,000 to the endowment of the national recipient’s choice.

You must submit your nomination for this award to your region. Visit your region’s website for details.

Eastern Region — Deadline: February 15, 2012
Midwest Region — Deadline: February 15, 2012
Southern Region — Deadline: January 15, 2012
Western Region — Deadline: January 15, 2012

The national recipient is selected from the four regional recipients.

Eligibility Note Regarding the National Award: Individuals who are employed by the association, individuals who serve on the CUPA-HR national board of directors, and the institutions of those directors are not eligible to receive awards during their terms of service.