Faculty and Staff Champion Awards

The Student Success Conference Champions at the University of Colorado Boulder are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the inaugural Faculty and Staff Champion Awards. These awards recognize faculty and staff who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing the principles of student success within our university community. Award recipients will be honored during the Ҵýƽ Student Success Conference on February 12, 2025. Awards will be presented in four distinct categories, each designed to highlight significant contributions to the university’s mission. Detailed descriptions of the awards and criteria can be found below.

Nominations are due by Jan. 20, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Champion of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion award is presented to an individual in recognition and acknowledgment to the contributions, proactive support and advocacy that an individual has made to ensure campus community success (including students, faculty, staff and partners). The nominee's will be evaluated based on the significance of their impact on improving the culture in their area and/or the campus at large, implementing or enhancing outreach or engagement efforts to underrepresented populations and contributing to a greater sense of belonging on campus and/or within their area for populations possible including students, staff, faculty and campus partners. This award aims to celebrate and encourage continued efforts to make the campus a more inclusive, equitable and supportive environment for all.

Award Criteria

Nominators should address the four following areas in their submission:

  • Demonstrated progress in diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Inspires or empowers others to value and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in their daily actions
  • Develops or improves outreach initiatives that connect underrepresented groups with campus resources, opportunities or programs
  • Builds partnerships that support DEI goals within the campus community or beyond
  • Demonstrates success in creating pathways for underrepresented populations to engage more fully in campus life
  • Creates or provides significant support of programs, events or initiatives that enhance the sense of community and belonging for diverse populations
  • Demonstrated commitment to learning and development in DEI
  • Actively fosters a more inclusive, equitable and welcoming environment within their area or across the campus community
  • Implements initiatives or programs that have a measurable and positive effect on the campus culture
  • Inspires or empowers others to value and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in their daily actions
  • Proactively advocates for the needs and interests of underrepresented populations, including students, faculty, staff and campus partners
  • Addresses barriers to access, equity or representation through innovative ideas or practical solutions
  • Acts as a role model and leader in DEI work, inspiring others to engage in advocacy and cultural change
  • Creates or provides significant support of programs, events or initiatives that enhance the sense of community and belonging for diverse populations
  • Demonstrated engagement with cross-campus partners
  • Demonstrates a sustained commitment to uplifting marginalized voices and communities

Champion of Innovation & Creativity

Creation of new and unique ideas, programs, services or tools, even if the outcome was not as expected.

Award Criteria

Nominators should address the four following areas in their submission:

  • Approaches challenges with original and unconventional and a “design thinking” mindset
  • Demonstrates resilience and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles
  • Demonstrates initiative in proposing ideas that address unmet needs or improve processes
  • Advocates for transformative ideas that enhance the experience of students, staff or the broader CU community
  • Ownership of creativity in suggesting or following through with novel ideas, accompanied by clear goals to assess viability
  • Takes calculated risks to bring new ideas to fruition, even if the outcome was not as expected
  • Demonstrates leadership by inspiring others to think creatively and embrace change
  • Embraces a ‘fail forward’ and growth mindset and learns from experiments
  • Demonstrated learning from the attempt or potential scalability or pilot of these new solutions
  • Has presented experience to folks (ex: at a conference, a presentation, etc.)
  • Demonstration of new partnerships (including students, and/or internal or external to CU)
  • Leverages partnerships (internal or external to the university) to enrich and expand the scope of the innovative idea or solution

Champion of Staff & University Support

Those who support the people, processes and procedures of units and the university who may or may not have direct student contact. This could include administrators, supervisors, administrative staff, faculty, etc.

Award Criteria

Nominators should address the four following areas in their submission:

  • Demonstrates outstanding organizational, administrative or technical support that enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of their unit or the University
  • Proactively identifies and resolves challenges in processes, workflows or systems
  • Demonstrates initiative in improving policies, procedures or systems to meet evolving organizational needs at CU
  • Centering and supporting the university personnel experience
  • Using inclusive practices in supervision or program oversight
  • Exhibits leadership in their role, regardless of formal title or position, by fostering collaboration and driving positive change
  • Demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities

Supports and enhances processes or initiatives that directly or indirectly benefit students, faculty or staff

Champion of Student Support

The Outstanding Member of the Student Support Community award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated qualities associated with outstanding student support community practices and demonstrates a commitment to building an inclusive environment. This award celebrates individuals who are not only dedicated to supporting students but also to creating an inclusive and empowering campus environment. This award recognizes an individual who embodies the highest standards of excellence in student support and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive and thriving environment for students.

Award Criteria

Nominators should address the four following areas in their submission:

  • Demonstrates exceptional dedication to assisting students in achieving their personal, academic or professional goals
  • Centering and supporting the student experience
  • Goes above and beyond to provide resources, guidance or interventions that directly enhance student well-being and success
  • Prioritizing and/or creating inclusive practices in student support
  • Addresses challenges or barriers faced by students with empathy and effective problem-solving
  • Implements strategies or practices that make student services more accessible and welcoming for all, including underrepresented populations
  • Encourages a culture of belonging by celebrating the unique identities, backgrounds and experiences of the student body
  • Implements strategies or practices that make student services more accessible and welcoming for all, including underrepresented populations.
  • Develops or enhances programs, tools or services that improve the quality of student support
  • Introduces creative solutions to meet emerging student needs or address gaps in current resources
  • Provides mentorship, training or guidance to others in the campus community to improve collective efforts in student support
  • Demonstrates leadership in advancing initiatives or policies that align with the university’s mission to support student success and inclusion
  • Collaboration and engagement with campus community. Works with others to support and improve the student experience. This could include collaboration with faculty, staff, student organizations and other partners

Nomination Submission Guidelines

To submit a nomination, please provide a detailed account of the nominee’s efforts and accomplishments, highlighting how their contributions align with the criteria of the specific award category. Submissions should emphasize the nominee’s dedication to professional service and their impact on the Ҵýƽ community. All Ҵýƽ faculty and staff are eligible to be nominated, and nominations are welcomed from any member of the Ҵýƽ campus community.

Contact Information

For questions or additional information, please contact the Student Success Conference Awards Committee Chairs: