Chancellor's Award for Staff

The Chancellor’s Award for Staff is the highest award the University of Pittsburgh grants to full-time and part-time, classified and union-eligible staff members in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the University or their community.

The University is fortunate to have staff members who demonstrate continuous, meritorious performance. However, there are those whose performance consistently exceeds the standards and expectations set for their position or within the community. The University wishes to recognize those individuals for their exceptional performance and contributions to the University or their community.

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Nomination & Eligibility Guidelines

Description of Awards

The Chancellor’s Award recognizes the diversity of all ranks of staff members and represent a cross-section of campus responsibility centers and the regional campuses. Nominations will be evaluated to identify nominees who have made a significant contribution in one or more of the following areas:

  • Student Impact Award: A staff member whose efforts have helped our students succeed and grow as individuals, contributed to the quality of life for our students, demonstrated consistently excellent customer service, and promoted and supported a culture of diversity and respect on our campuses.
  • Research Support Award: A staff member who has worked to advance the University’s research efforts.
  • Innovation in Advancing Administrative and Operational Efficiency Award: A staff member who has made exceptional contributions toward the effectiveness and efficiency in the workplace, including implementing innovative approaches to improving productivity or developing cost-saving plans.
  • University Engagement Award: An employee who extends their commitment to the University through exemplary participation in volunteer activities within the University, through service on committees, working on special projects, or volunteering to assist with events or programs (e.g., Commencement and/or Convocation) that are outside of the scope of their normal job duties.
  • Community Engagement Award: An employee who has dedicated themselves to making their community a better place to live and to improving the quality of life for others.
  • Outstanding Career Achievement Award: A staff member with more than 20 years of unparalleled service to the University who, throughout their career, has made exceptional contributions to the success of their department and the University, who has earned the respect of their peers, and whose efforts have defined what it means to be part of the Pitt community.
  • Exceptional Early Career Achievement Award: A staff member in the earliest stages of their career, who is not in a management position and is in the earliest stages of their career (three-to-five years), who within that short period of time, has exceeded the expectations of their position, taken on numerous assignments, and demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the University.
  • Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award: A staff member who has contributed to the University’s diversity initiatives and worked to create a culture of inclusion in their department, business unit, or school and the University.
  • Excellent Mentor Award: An employee who serves as a role model and mentor to their staff colleagues, helping them to develop and improve their skills, acclimate to new positions, or learn new processes so that they can achieve success in their own careers at Pitt.

Recipients of the Chancellor’s Award will be announced in the University Times, receive a $2,500 prize, and be recognized at a special reception. As a more permanent tribute, their names will be added to a plaque displayed in the William Pitt Union that is inscribed with the names of all recipients of the Chancellor’s Award.

Nomination Process

  • Nominators should review the Eligibility Requirements and Criteria for Selection sections of these Guidelines then complete and submit the Nomination Form online.
  • Candidates should be nominated in one (1) category that best fits their contributions to the University and/or the community.
  • This is an award for staff members of the University; faculty members and previous recipients of the Chancellor's Award are not eligible to be nominated.
  • Please avoid multiple nominations of any one individual.
  • If eligibility is confirmed, the nominee, nominee’s supervisor, and nominator will receive notice of the nomination.
  • Nominees should then collect supporting information based on the Criteria for Selection and submit the information by the deadline stated in the notice letter. Supporting information should include:
    • Three letters of recommendation supporting the nominee from individuals who have benefited from their services (e.g., faculty, staff, students, alumni, etc.).
    • Recommendation letters should give specific examples of how the nominee demonstrated a consistent pattern of extraordinary dedication to the University that is regularly beyond the responsibilities of the nominee's position.
    • A listing of services that the nominee has performed for the University, including service on committees and task forces (e.g., process improvement teams, mapping teams, United Way, Staff Council, Equipoise, the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Concerns, etc.).

Eligibility Requirements

  • Nominees must be full-time or part-time, classified union-eligible or staff members at the University for a minimum of three (3) years for individuals being nominated in the Early Career category and a minimum of five (5) years for all other award categories.
  • A nominee’s annual review and continued performance must exceed performance standards, and he/she must be an employee in good standing at the University with no adverse employment actions within the last 12 months.
  • A staff member who was previously nominated may be nominated again. However, supporting information must be submitted to the Committee again.
  • If a nominee is a past recipient of a Chancellor’s Award, he/she is not eligible to be nominated.

Criteria for Selection

The successful nominee must satisfy the criteria described in these guidelines. These criteria should be addressed in recommendation letters and other supporting documentation. Recommendation letters should give specific examples of how the nominee demonstrated a consistent pattern of extraordinary dedication to the University that is regularly beyond the responsibilities of the nominee’s position.