The Office of Research and Innovation’s Employee Awards
The Office of Research and Innovation has established an annual employee awards and recognition program that seeks to recognize and elevate employee excellence among peers. All Virginia Tech employees are encouraged to nominate an office employee.
Research and innovation employees may be nominated for three awards: Outstanding Contributor, Outstanding Mentor or Leader, and Ut Prosim.
For the purposes of these awards, research and innovation employees are defined as those within the Office of Research and Innovation administrative units:
- Scholarly Integrity and Research Compliance
- Office of Sponsored Programs
- Animal Research and Care Division
- LINK + LICENSE + LAUNCH
- Strategic Research Alliances
- Export and Secure Research Compliance
- Human Resources
- Communications and Marketing
- Finance
- Electronic Research Administration
- Information Technology
- Central Office of Research and Innovation
Deadline for nominations (extended): October 1, 2023
Self-nominations and anonymous nominations will not be considered. Winners will be announced at the office’s annual end of year celebration in December.
Previous Winners
Who is eligible?
- All employees (staff and faculty) who have received salary or stipend from Office of Research and Innovation administrative or central accounts over the prior fiscal year (July-June). Nominees must maintain an acceptable level of performance in all functions of their positions. Term appointments from elsewhere in the university (eg, fellows) are not eligible.
- A relevant aspect of the action for which the nominee is being recognized must have occurred in the prior 12 months.
- Employees who have won an award in the past 5 years are not eligible to be nominated for that award.
Award Categories
The Outstanding Contributor Award may acknowledge up to three employees or groups of employees for their exceptional contributions to the Office of Research and Innovation.
Award Criteria: Nominees should maintain an acceptable level of performance in all functions of their positions.
Innovation
Nominees should be recognized for showing creativity in establishing a product, service, or solution that adds substantial value to the Office of Research and Innovation. Criteria include:
- Addresses a clear need or solves a readily identifiable problem.
- Adds value that can be described as different, distinct, or a change from other alternatives.
- Has an impact that provides measurable (identifiable) value to the division's goals and objectives overall.
Above and Beyond
Nominees should be recognized for consistently performing job functions in an "above and beyond" manner. Criteria include:
- Exemplifies an extraordinary level of commitment, initiative, cooperation, and dedication in completing job responsibilities.
- Possesses an attitude of excellence and goes "above and beyond" in the areas of extra effort, follow through, and hard work in getting the job done.
Customer Service
Nominees should be recognized for consistently demonstrated commitment to being responsive, transparent, and helpful for their stakeholders. Criteria Include:
- Consistently look for solutions when confronted with a non-standard situation.
- Is professional, helpful, and prompt in all interactions with their customers.
- Represents the Office of Research and Innovation in a positive manner with stakeholders.
The Outstanding Mentor or Leader Award acknowledges an employee who has provided guidance, advice, instruction, or support to their peers or employees to help them accomplish their goals.
Award Criteria: Nominees should maintain an acceptable level of performance in all functions of their positions. Criteria include:
- Consistently provides constructive feedback and advice,
- Empowers others to achieve success,
- Advocates for and supports professional development.
The Ut Prosim Award acknowledges an employee or group of employees who have consistently demonstrated commitment to the university’s Ut Prosim (“that I may serve”) motto, excelling in service to their community.
Award Criteria: Nominees should maintain an acceptable level of performance in all functions of their positions, and should be nominated based on the following criteria:
- Engages in activities that make the university and the Office of Research and Innovation a more welcoming, equitable, and just environment;
- Engage in governance, other university service, or support activities that improve the human condition through community service.
Please note: you must be logged in to your Virginia Tech Google account to submit a nomination.
About the Awards Selection Committee
The Awards Selection Committee will be responsible for reviewing nominations from the administrative units for the Office of Research and Innovation Annual Employee Awards and making recommendations for awardees to the senior vice president for research and innovation.
Selected by the senior vice president, the committee will be composed of seven employees of research and innovation administrative and business units, with diverse representation of staff and faculty.