Presidential Staff Excellence Awards
The Presidential Staff Excellence Awards
The Presidential Staff Excellence Awards honor the exceptional contributions and dedication of SDSU staff, administrators and auxiliary staff in support of the University, the community and their colleagues. Award recipients will be presented with a statuette, an honorarium and will be formally recognized during convocation.
Nominations are now being accepted for university staff members who demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following award categories:
- Community Service
- Service to the University
- Staff-to-Staff Mentoring
- Innovation and Creativity
- Team Effort
- Auxiliary Support
- Manager of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement
Self-nominations will be accepted for all categories, except for the Lifetime Achievement award.
As you prepare your nominations, please consider the following criteria required for award eligibility:
- A minimum of 5 service years is required, whereas the Lifetime Achievement Award requires a minimum of 15 years of service.
- Must be employed with the university at the time of the award.
- Must be a permanent state or auxiliary employee (full or part-time).
- Must be in good standing with the university.
- Only current university staff, including management and administrators where applicable, can be recognized. Tenured, tenure-track or temporary faculty are not eligible.
- Members of the SDSU Staff Honors and Award subcommittee are not eligible.
The deadline to submit nominations is 5pm PST, Friday, May 9, 2025. The SDSU Staff Honors and Award Subcommittee will review all nominations and forward unranked finalists in each category to the University President. The final award decisions will be made by the University President.
Please contact the chair of the SDSU Staff Honors and Award Subcommittee, [email protected] with any questions
The Presidential Staff Excellence Award categories are:
Community Service
This award recognizes a state employee who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the SDSU campus community through civic or cultural service. Nominees should demonstrate a clear commitment to enhancing the campus experience by supporting students, staff, and faculty in meaningful ways. Their efforts should align with the university’s strategic priorities, while helping to build a more inclusive, engaged, and supportive environment for all members of the campus community.
Service to the University
This award recognizes a state employee who consistently demonstrates outstanding service to the university through their dedication, collaboration, and commitment to institutional values. Their contributions extend beyond their immediate responsibilities, reflecting a deep investment in the campus community. Whether through committee involvement or cross-departmental initiatives, the nominee has played a vital role in advancing the university’s mission and fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and service.
Staff-to-Staff Mentoring
This award recognizes a state employee who demonstrates exceptional mentorship by actively guiding and supporting their colleagues. Nominees should exemplify a strong commitment to professional development, knowledge sharing, and creating a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment. Through their ongoing support and encouragement, they contribute to the growth, confidence, and success of fellow staff members, helping to build a stronger and more connected campus community.
Innovation and Creativity
This award recognizes a state employee who demonstrates exceptional creativity and innovation in their work. Nominees may have introduced cost-effective solutions, streamlined processes, or implemented new ideas that significantly enhance efficiency, productivity, or service delivery. Their ability to think ahead, solve problems in inventive ways, and contribute to positive change has made a meaningful impact within the SDSU campus community.
Team Effort - Collaborated as a team to further the goals of SDSU
This award honors a team of state employees who have demonstrated outstanding collaboration, teamwork, and commitment in achieving a common goal. Team members may be from the same center or department, or represent a collaborative interdisciplinary effort involving multiple campus departments. The nominated team should have worked effectively and cooperatively to create, enhance, or implement a program, service, or initiative that has had a meaningful and positive impact on the SDSU campus community. Successful nominees will demonstrate strong communication, mutual support, and a results-oriented approach that embodies the university's mission through innovative and coordinated efforts.
Auxiliary Support
The nominee demonstrates outstanding contributions made by SDSU auxiliary staff who provide exceptional support to the university community. Staff should exemplify dedication, professionalism, and a strong commitment to enhancing university operations, services, or student success. Nominees must be current staff members of the SDSU Research Foundation, Aztec Shops or Associated Students.
Manager of the Year
The nominee demonstrates exceptional leadership, mentorship, and a strong commitment to supporting staff, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, and contributing to the overall success of their team and the university. They consistently exhibit strategic thinking, coupled with a dedication to innovation and operational efficiency. Their efforts ensure that departmental goals are aligned with the broader mission and priorities of the university. Nominees must be management or administrative employees only. This includes MPP's, deans, associate deans, vice-presidents, the president, and other SDSU administrators.
Lifetime Achievement
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors a staff member who has made extraordinary, sustained contributions to SDSU over the course of their career. The nominee should exemplify dedication, integrity, and excellence, with a lasting impact on their department, colleagues, and the broader campus community.
Each nominee must receive at least three unsolicited recommendations from current SDSU faculty, staff, or administrators. Nominators are encouraged to coordinate with colleagues within their units or across campus to ensure the required recommendations are submitted in support of the nominee. Please be as specific as possible and include examples that showcase the depth and breadth of the nominee's contributions over time. The following are key points to consider as you prepare your narrative:
- Length and consistency of service (minimum 15 years) marked by excellence and dedication
- Nominees must be current SDSU staff, management or administrators
- Sustained impact on their department, colleagues, and the broader campus community
- Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and professional growth over time
- Contributions to mentorship, collaboration, and community building
- Alignment with SDSU’s mission, values, and strategic goals
- Legacy of influence, including improvements or programs that continue to benefit the university
Please upload the letters directly using the form field provided below. PDF files are strongly encouraged to ensure formatting consistency.
All nominations will be reviewed by the SDSU Staff Honors and Award Subcommittee and shared with President de la Torre, who will select the winners. The winners will be announced at the fall 2025 University Convocation.
