Division of Academic Affairs Faculty & Staff Recognition Program

The Monarch Distinguished Service Medallion recognizes Academic Affairs employees and teams who demonstrate exceptional service that advances student success, academic excellence, institutional effectiveness, and community engagement. The award honors contributions that go beyond normal job responsibilities and create a meaningful impact on the university.

Monarch Distinguished Service Medallion

Monarch Distinguished Service Medallion

³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ medals in gold, silver, and bronze.

How It Works

Nominations will be reviewed and, upon approval, recipients will receive a Certificate of Award and a medallion based on the number of awards received. No monetary prize is associated with this recognition.

  • Bronze Medal (for awards 1-5)
  • Silver Medal (for awards 6-10)
  • Gold Medal (for more than 10 awards)

 

Who Can Nominate

Faculty, staff, students, administrators

No self-nominations

Who Is Eligible

All faculty, staff, classified, hourly, and administrative employees within Academic Affairs are eligible to participate in the program

Nomination Cycle

  • Nominations are accepted on a running basis
  • Nominations will be reviewed once per semester including the summer semester

Examples of Recognition

Three women at a table at the academic affairs summit.

Recognize efforts that directly and indirectly improve student learning, persistence, retention, progression, and completion through innovative teaching practices, proactive student support, or initiatives that strengthen belonging and reduce equity gaps.
  • Direct roles: Innovative teaching practices, proactive advising, high‑impact learning initiatives
  • Indirect roles: Budgeting, scheduling, policy design, compliance, accreditation support, data analytics, or systems improvements that enable these outcomes

Provost Payne speaking at a microphone.

  • Highlight individuals who directly or indirectly elevate and support the academic rigor or scholarly engagement of the university through curriculum innovation, high‑impact practices, research‑integrated teaching, or transformative academic programming
  • Celebrate contributions that directly or indirectly expand access to high‑quality education and significantly improve outcomes for first‑generation, high‑risk, and historically underserved students 
  • Providing strategic leadership, assessment, or compliance work that strengthens academic quality and sustainability
Lil Haber with Provost Payne receiving a certificate.

  • Recognize initiatives that improve systems, workflows, or policies that increase efficiency, reduce barriers, or support faculty and students at scale
  • Recognize efforts that build bridges across departments, colleges, and student support units to improve academic pathways, streamline student services, or strengthen university-wide initiatives.

Celebrate work that strengthens ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ community partnerships

Three women at a table at the academic affairs summit.

Recognize efforts that directly and indirectly improve student learning, persistence, retention, progression, and completion through innovative teaching practices, proactive student support, or initiatives that strengthen belonging and reduce equity gaps.
  • Direct roles: Innovative teaching practices, proactive advising, high‑impact learning initiatives
  • Indirect roles: Budgeting, scheduling, policy design, compliance, accreditation support, data analytics, or systems improvements that enable these outcomes

Provost Payne speaking at a microphone.

  • Highlight individuals who directly or indirectly elevate and support the academic rigor or scholarly engagement of the university through curriculum innovation, high‑impact practices, research‑integrated teaching, or transformative academic programming
  • Celebrate contributions that directly or indirectly expand access to high‑quality education and significantly improve outcomes for first‑generation, high‑risk, and historically underserved students 
  • Providing strategic leadership, assessment, or compliance work that strengthens academic quality and sustainability

Lil Haber with Provost Payne receiving a certificate.

  • Recognize initiatives that improve systems, workflows, or policies that increase efficiency, reduce barriers, or support faculty and students at scale
  • Recognize efforts that build bridges across departments, colleges, and student support units to improve academic pathways, streamline student services, or strengthen university-wide initiatives.

Celebrate work that strengthens ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ community partnerships