The University Staff Senate annually honors up to three full-time staff employees for outstanding achievements, service, leadership, and dedication to the University of North Alabama.

We encourage UNA employees to take a few minutes to nominate a most deserving employee for the Distinguished Staff Employee of the Year to honor these contributions. 

The award recipients will be recognized at the annual Awards Gala with University leadership and guests.

Award Nomination Details

• The call for nominations opens in early Spring (will allow two weeks for nominations)

Nomination Process:

• Nominations for the award must be current, full-time employees at the University of North Alabama.
• Nominations may be accepted from nominators within or outside the nominator’s unit.
• Nominators will be able to submit their nominations online through a staff nomination survey form created by Institutional Research and Planning. No self-nominations are allowed for this award.
• Once all nominations are received, the Staff Senate Awards committee will meet and select the award recipient(s) (Up to Three). The committee will use a scoring matrix and additional feedback based on the nominee’s contributions to the university to select the award recipients.
• If a committee member is nominated, he or she may remove themselves from the selection committee to be considered for the award.
• Nomination committee shall comprise the Staff Senate Vice-President and five Staff Senators.
• Staff Senate Vice-President will chair the awards committee and submit the recipients’ names to the University Awards Gala committee.

Eligibility:

• Nominee must have five consecutive years of full-time service at the University of North Alabama.
• The nominee enhances the quality of work in ways that make a significant difference for their division, colleagues, and students.
• Provides outstanding and ongoing excellence in service to faculty, staff, students, and alumni. 

The award winner will receive:

• Invitation to the University Awards Gala
• Photograph and award presented by the Staff Senate President or Vice-President in their division during the on-stage presentation.