Nominations are due January 16, 2019, for consideration of awards up to $3,000.

The Staff Impact Awards celebrate those who champion volunteerism and service within the university — going above and beyond by taking on additional challenges. This video explains new developments in the awards that honor staff who are wall-breakers and bridge-builders — people who find ways to collaborate across units and find solutions to make the workplace better for us all.

“Creating a positive workplace requires recognition and gratitude,” says Kevin Hegarty, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “And we are so very grateful for you, our staff. You make this a great place to work, learn, discover and heal.”

The President’s Staff Innovation Award Program is now a part of the Staff Impact Awards

“I am continually amazed by the effort and creativity that staff members across our campuses bring to their work,” says President Mark Schlissel. “I look forward to honoring U-M staff and their contributions to our excellence in education, research, service and patient care."

The change means there is a single nomination process for staff and teams to be eligible for recognition from both awards, with the President’s Staff Innovation Award now called the President’s Staff Award of Distinction.

The intent of this change is to make the nomination process easier and encourage more nominations to recognize the outstanding contributions of staff. Nominations are now being accepted through Jan. 16.

The annual Staff Impact Awards honor individual staff members, supervisors and work teams. Individual award winners will receive $1,500, and $2,500 will go to teams that demonstrate excellence in collaboration, volunteerism and outstanding effectiveness. And new this year, the awards also recognize those who support a flexible workplace.

The President’s Staff Awards of Distinction winners will receive $2,000 for the individual award and $3,000 for the team award for “outside the cube” innovations.

All staff with regular, non-temporary appointments from all university campuses and Michigan Medicine are eligible.

“Many staff members are fully engaged in their work, bringing their best selves to the workplace and in turn helping to make U-M the best it can be," says Laurita Thomas, associate vice president for human resources and founding sponsor of Voices of the Staff. “We want to recognize their contributions, to share their stories, and hopefully help inspire others to greatness as well.”

The Staff Impact Awards are co-sponsored by the Office of the President and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Award recipients will be announced in spring 2019.