Staff Employee of the Year

2023 Staff Employee of the Year winners with Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber

Staff Employee Of the Year Award

Each year, UNC Charlotte awards and recognizes employees for their hard work and dedication to their colleagues, to the University as a whole and their service to the citizens of North Carolina.

Nominations for the 2024 Staff Employee of the Year Award are now open. Detailed information on the nomination process can be viewed here.

Previous award recipients are listed below.

Award Categories

Nominations for Staff Employee of the Year fall under five categories:

  • Devotion to duty (Outstanding State Government Service): The employee exhibits unselfish devotion to duty, far and above the normal requirements. They have contributed significantly to the advancement of UNC Charotte and State service to the citizens of North Carolina.
  • Innovation: The employee has initiated research or has successfully established new and outstanding methods, practices, plans or designs (such as pioneering or research and development work in administration, engineering, productivity, agriculture, natural resources, the social sciences, etc.)
  • Human Relations: The employee has made outstanding contributions toward enhancing the quality and morale of the workplace or creating a better public image of the University or State government (such as positive personal interaction with other employees, public awareness, and working on relations internally within a university/agency, or collaboration between different universities/agencies).
  • Community/Public Service: The employee has made outstanding contributions by participating in or implementing community and public service projects (such as volunteering with various non-profit organizations).
  • Safety and Heroism: The employee demonstrated outstanding judgment or courage in an emergency; voluntarily risking his/her life, or exhibited meritorious action to prevent injury, loss or life or prevented damage to or loss of property.

Nominations can be submitted on behalf of an individual employee or a team.*

Award recipients are eligible for a monetary award, a plaque and other recognition opportunities.

Recipients also have the potential to be advanced as campus nominees for the Governor’s Award for Excellence, the highest honor a state employee may receive for dedicated service to the State of North Carolina and its residents.

Eligibility

All Permanent SHRA and EHRA staff employees with two or more years of continuous service (at the time of nomination) with the University are eligible for consideration. An employee may be nominated by their supervisor, co-worker or another UNC Charlotte employee. Only permanent employees of the University may submit nominations.

*A team refers to a group of individuals who collaborated together on a specific project, directive or goal within the time frame of the year nominated. It may be cross-divisional or within a predefined organizational team. All members of the team must be individually named, listed in the written recommendation and meet the qualifications. The award amount is split between all individuals equally.

Staff Employee of the Year Winners 1986-Present

2023

Devotion to Duty

Christine Reed Davis, Dean of Students Office, Division of Student Affairs

Innovation

Jason Bernstein, Engineering-FM, Division of Business Affairs

Human Relations

Cristhian Gonzalez De La Fuente, Grounds FM, Division of Business Affairs

Community and Public Service

Michelle Meggs, urbanCORE, Division of Academic Affairs

Safety and Heroism

Chris Desmet, Maintenance Operations-FM, Division of Business Affairs

2022

Devotion to Duty

Carol Hartley, Department of Languages and Culture Studies, Academic Affairs

Innovation

Kiran Budhrani, Center for Teaching and Learning, Academic Affairs

Human Relations

Kimberly Laney, Niner Central, Academic Affairs

Community and Public Service

Courtney Hunt, The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City

2021

Devotion to Duty

Mindy Sides-Walsh, Leadership and Community Engagement, Student Affairs

Innovation

Return to Campus Kit Group: Katharina Findlater, Horace Lytch, Rachel Skipworth and Rick Torres,
Business Affairs

Human Relations

Krista Collins, Facilities Management, Business Affairs

Community and Public Service

Angie Williams, English Department, Academic Affairs

Safety/Heroism

Chris Gonyar, Safety and Security, Business Affairs

2020

Devotion to Duty

Christy Jackson, Business Affairs Communication, Business Affairs

Innovation

Angelica Watts, 49er Card Office, Business Affairs

Community and Public Service

Diana Hill, Internal Audit, Institutional Integrity

Safety/Heroism

Jeff Baker, Safety & Security, Business Affairs

2019

Devotion to Duty

Claire Kirby, Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs

Innovation

Melissa Battle, Meal Plans and 49er Card, Business Affairs

Human Relations

Sara Watson, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Academic Affairs

Community and Public Service

Ashley Williams Clark, Urban Institute, Academic Affairs

2018

Click Here To Watch Announcement Video

Devotion to Duty

Buffie Stephens, University Communications

Human Relations

Dawn Tench, Office of Academic Affairs

Innovation

Lisa Meckley, Office of Enrollment Communications

Community and Public Service

Jordan Harris, Community Relations

Safety/Heroism

Virginia Fuentes, Parking and Transportation Services

2017

Devotion to Duty

Gary Edwards, Facilities Management

Human Relations

Phillip Brown, University Communications

Innovation

Leslie Zenk, Office of the Provost / Office of Academic Affairs

Community and Public Service

Tamara Johnson, Office of Academic Affairs

Safety /Heroism

Brent Offenberger, Facilities Management

1986-2016 Winners

Questions?

Email staff-recognition@charlotte.edu.