An Award Celebrating Employee Contributions and Civility
The University of Connecticut established the UConn Spirit Awards to honor staff and faculty at our Storrs and regional campuses for stellar contributions and dedication to civility in the workplace.
The goals of the UConn Spirit Awards are to:
- Build community within the University and University departments;
- Provide an opportunity for employees to be recognized for their contributions to the University, which are not specifically academic but related to teamwork and civility; and
- Create an event that acknowledges the efforts of all employees, especially staff members.
In 2012, a team known as the Something’s Happening Committee conducted a Workplace Civility Climate Survey at UConn. The survey revealed a strong correlation between supportive, meaningful interactions between colleagues and supervisors, and enhanced productivity. Equally important benefits include improvements in the way people treat each other and in the overall workplace climate. The event and awards aim to encourage and applaud those positive interactions.
About the Awards
Who’s Eligible?
All non-probationary, non-temporary, full-time and part-time (20-plus hours per week) staff and faculty employees at the Storrs and regional campuses are eligible. Any proposed employee must be in good standing with his/her respective department and the University at the time of nomination. Criteria may differ by award. In order to avoid possible conflicts of interest, no member of the UConn Spirit Awards Committee may nominate staff members. Self-nominations, or nominations by a family member will not be accepted.
UConn Health employees are not eligible for these awards, as UConn Health has its own robust awards program for Farmington-based staff as a result of an earlier campus climate survey there.
How are Winners Selected?
In complete confidentiality, nominations will be reviewed by the UConn Spirit Awards Committee, which will distinguish one award recipient per category. In the event a committee member is nominated for an award, he/she will not participate in the review of nominations and selection of the recipient for that particular award.
What are the Criteria?
The UConn Spirit Awards celebrate individuals and teams who exceed expectations and contribute positively to the workplace and the University. The spirit of the program is to acknowledge outstanding contributions.
Winners will be chosen in the following categories:
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award is given to a staff member who has contributed significantly to his/her department and University community with enthusiasm, strong work ethic, superior leadership (if applicable), and reliability.
Criteria:
- New to UConn (no prior stints of employment of any type); and
- Must have held current position within the same department for a minimum of 6 months and less than two years at time of nomination.
Unsung Hero Award
The Unsung Hero Award is awarded to a person who is continually both a real benefit to coworkers and a stable, dependable resource for the University. This staff member consistently goes above and beyond, without fanfare or public recognition; fills in when and wherever needed and always performs at a high level; takes initiative to solve problems and improve work situations without being prompted; demonstrates reliability, perseverance, and focus on results. They help others by sharing knowledge of the Institution’s practices and job-related skills.
Criteria:
- Continuously goes above and beyond; and
- Performs their duties with pride.
Team Award
This honor is awarded to a department/group/team (two or more individuals) whose collaboration has demonstrated success and overall contribution to the University.
Note: If an entire department/group/team is nominated, the nomination cannot be submitted by a member within the department/group/team. Nominations may be submitted by a non-group team member.
Criteria:
- Group of two or more individuals;
- Can be from different departments/units; and
- Collaboration has positively impacted the entire University.
Special Citations
A special citation is an optional add-on to a nomination across any category. Nominators may choose to add an optional “special citation” to their nomination, if their nominee meets the parameters of the overall award and does so through the lens of the “special citation.”
- Inclusive Excellence
- Inclusive Excellence means putting our community values into action and creating a campus climate where all members belong, thrive and succeed.
- The Inclusive Excellence Special Citation recognizes a university employee or team who meets the criteria of a Spirit Awards and does so while:
- Exemplifying a commitment to diversity and inclusion in their daily work life, creating and sustaining an environment where all individuals are respected and valued.
- Demonstrating measurable progress in promoting and sustaining innovative diversity and inclusion efforts within their campus community.
- University Citizen
- The University Citizen Special Citation recognizes a university employee or team who meets the criteria of a Spirit Award and do so while:
- Exhibiting University workplace values, including honesty, integrity, compliance, cooperation, and civility.
- Motivating or inspiring colleagues to continually improve.
- Acting as a role model, an inspiration, and/or a source of support in the workplace and demonstrates a dedicated interest in helping colleagues succeed.
- The University Citizen Special Citation recognizes a university employee or team who meets the criteria of a Spirit Award and do so while:
Past Recipients
2025 Winners and Finalists
| Rising Star Award Winner | Karima Jackson, with Inclusive Excellence Citation, ISS First Year Programs and Learning Communities |
| Rising Star Award Finalists | Michael J. Melnik, with University Citizen Citation, Department of Communication Halie Shea, Department of Extension New Haven |
| Unsung Hero Award Winners | Sharon Daggett, Facilities Operations – Custodial Services Josue Zapata, with University Citizen Citation, Facilities Operations – Custodial Services |
| Unsung Hero Award Finalists | Mary Boston, Student Health and Wellness Lara Chiaverini, with Inclusive Excellence Citation, Engineering Undergraduate Programs Katie Halbruner, with Inclusive Excellence Citation, Center for Students with Disabilities Christine Scott-Dougan, with University Citizen Citation, Waterbury Campus James Walker, with Inclusive Excellence Citation, Community Standards |
| Team Award Winners | Greenhouse Studios Team: Brooke Foti Gemmell, Wes Hamrick, Tom Scheinfeldt, Isabell Sluka, Sara Sikes, Thomas Lee, Clarissa Ceglio, Gregory Colati The Office of Early College Programs Team: Jessica Dunn, Melanie P. Banks, Nella Quasnitschka, Stefanie Malinoski, Carissa Rutkauskas, Todd Blodgett, Erin Blanchette, Christopher Todd |
| Team Award Finalists | Administrative Team of School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering, with University Citizen Citation: Tina Barry, Kelly Tyler, Victoria Neel, Jennifer Simmons, Tracy Brunette, Thomas Mealy CT Transportation Institute’s Training and Technical Assistance (T2) Team: Mary McCarthy, Regina Hackett, Bethany Greene, Jason Hughes, Shawn Barry, Shannon O’Loughlin, Vanessa Corraro, Lisa Knight ShaW Regional Nurse Navigators Team: Troy Carlson, Beth LaFleche, Karina Giangos, Dax T. Sousa, Elena Tamayo Heitz Center for Students with Disabilities Team, with Inclusive Excellence Citation: Christine Wenzel, Allison Knight, Tim Smagacz, Jennifer Lucia, Christopher Scott, Lara Smith, Bryanna Anderson, Benjamin Briskin |
UConn Spirit Awards Committee
| Chair | |
| John Armstrong | Associate Dean of Students |
| Members | |
| Marta Calderon | Assistant to the Director, Stamford Campus |
| Michael Enright | Deputy Spokesperson, University Communications |
| Susan Hayes | Reservationist, Division of Student Life and Enrollment |
| Zoraida Hernandez | Office Assistant, Student Services, Stamford Campus; Representing NP-3/AFSCME |
| Alexis Lohrey | Chief of Staff to the Provost |
| Judy Lopez | Associate Director of Business Operations, Office for Inclusion and Civil Rights |
| Agnes Lipinski | Assistant to the President, Office of the President |
| Claudia Pina | Case Manager, Student Health and Wellness, Waterbury Campus |
| Kim Schwarz | Director of Event Services, Hartford Campus |
| Lavonne Womack | Senior Educational Program Administrator, Office of Organizational and Skill Development/DSS, SSW; Representing UCPEA |
| Vacant | Representing NP-2/CEUI |
Spirit Awards Ceremony
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Alumni Center
10:30am – 11:45am
Livestream Link
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the nominee be informed of his/her nominator?
Only if the nominee asks the committee will he/she be informed of the nominator. Nominators who wish to remain anonymous must click the box on the nomination form to remain anonymous.
There are several of us that wish to nominate the same person, what’s the best way to do that?
The committee suggests that each person submit their own nomination for this individual. The committee takes into account when one individual receives multiple nominations, but emphasizes the quality of nominations when voting.
Do the nominees find out in advance of the event that they are the winner?
Award recipients will be announced at the event in the Spring. See the home page for details about the event.
If I am nominated for an award, will you alert my supervisor?
Yes, supervisors will be notified.
Does everyone that’s been nominated receive an invitation to the event?
Employees who have been nominated for an award will receive a written notification, which will include the date and time of the event. We encourage you to brag and invite your colleagues to attend along with you.
For more information on the awards and the ceremony, contact HR-OSD.