Purpose
The Wells College Award for Excellence is intended to recognize outstanding service by employees, including members of the staff, faculty and non-Cabinet level administration. The Award recognizes demonstrated performance above and beyond normal expectations; and awardees will have made a significant impact on the College and her community through extraordinary dedication, exceptional performance, and excellent service in support of the College's mission through student support, innovation, inclusion, civic engagement and customer service as demonstrated by one or more of the following criteria. Award(s) may be made annually as warranted.
Criteria
Nominees should exhibit excellence in one or more of the categories listed below. Awardees are selected based upon the degree of demonstrated excellence in the noted category(ies).
Commitment: The nominee demonstrates commitment to the College’s mission and core values, exhibited through excellent service and effective support to students, faculty and co-workers, which in turn contributes to the vibrancy of the Wells community. The nominee consistently and substantially demonstrates an ability and willingness to work positively, respectfully, and effectively with others; demonstrates the ability and willingness to manage change in work priorities, procedures and organization. This characteristic is also expressed in demonstrating principles of social responsibility that encourage awareness, sensitivity to difference, open-mindedness and responsible action.
Collaboration and Teamwork: The nominee demonstrates an exceptional ability to foster collaboration, communication, and cooperation among colleagues and members of the campus community. In working effectively with others to produce positive results, soliciting diverse views in completing projects, establishing effective partnerships across departments, building consensus in decision-making, and/or sharing knowledge, the nominee contributes to College-wide and project-specific success.
Innovation: The nominee has developed significant improvements in a work process or system, or significantly increased the efficiency of an operation or unit. Demonstrating creativity when confronted with challenges, issues or a need or desire for improvement, the nominee proactively identifies innovative ways to improve processes or service delivery, implements change in a positive manner and strives to ensure its success, the nominee approaches problem-solving with a solution orientation.
Leadership: In demonstrating a unique ability to guide and inspire others, which in turn contributes to the effective and efficient functioning of the College, the nominee (whether manager or non-manager) inspires and encourages development in others, builds relationships that support a high level of trust and credibility, adapts readily to new situations, mentors and cultivates employees and creates a culture of respect. The nominee contributes to the success of initiative(s) that benefits those outside his/her own department and/or places emphasis on collaboration within and among departments.
Eligibility
All full- and part-time employees who have completed one year of employment by the March 31 nomination deadline are eligible for nomination and selection. Cabinet members are not eligible. Employees may not receive an award in successive years (see list of prior recipients).
Nomination process
Nominations shall be submitted by Wells College employees, using the Wells College Award for Excellence Nomination Form, to the Executive Assistant to the President (Sharon Darling), either in hard copy, via email or online, by March 31 to be considered for this year's award. Nominations must include the area(s) of excellence for which an employee is nominated, supported by demonstrated examples. The name of the nominator is also required.
Selection process and timeline
By mid-April, the Wells College Cabinet will review nominations and make the selection(s) based on the degree of demonstrated excellence in the noted category (or categories).
- Early March -- Call for nominations
- By March 31 -- Nominations due to the President's Office
- Mid-April -- Selection(s) made by Cabinet
- Mid-May -- Awardee(s) announced and recognized at the College's annual Employee Recognition Breakfast
Award
Each award recipient will receive:
- A $250 gift card
- An additional vacation day to be taken within the following year, e.g. the date-of-hire service anniversary
- An individual recognition plaque
- Name added to the College's "Award for Excellence" plaque that is displayed outside the President's Office (235 Macmillan Hall)
- A feature on the College's website
- Media recognition