Division of Student Affairs staff can nominate outstanding faculty, staff, students and teams for these annual awards sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs. Questions? Contact Katy Cran at kcran@iastate.edu

Award nominations are closed for the 2024 Division of Student Affairs Annual Awards. 
The awards ceremony will be held Tuesday, April 30 at 9 a.m. in the Sun Room, Memorial Union.

Staff and Faculty Awards

Nomination form for Change Agent Award (Staff)

This award highlights a transformational leader who inspires others to follow a vision. This agent for change uses their actions to create an opportunity for everyone to play a role in addressing the success of our campus community.

 

Nomination form for Division of Student Affairs Values Awards

Criteria:

All Merit and P&S staff are eligible for the Division of Student Affairs Values Awards regardless of position or tenure at the university or in student affairs.

Staff should show commitment and support to one or more of the Division of Student Affairs values which include:

  • Student success, development, and engagement
    • We are leaders on campus who understand that learning happens everywhere. This includes infusing learning into employment and engagement opportunities so students can develop and enhance skills to take with them into the workforce. By recognizing the uniqueness of each student, we meet them where they are in their own development and create rich and diverse sets of opportunities for students to connect anywhere on campus. We actively work to build a co-curriculum that fosters academic, social, and personal success among students to realize their potential and make a difference in their community and society.
  • Principles of Community 
    • We embrace Iowa State University’s Principles of Community: Respect, Purpose, Cooperation, Richness of Diversity, Freedom of Discrimination, Honest and Respectful Expression of Ideas. These principles serve as a critical foundation to our programs, services, resources, and spaces so Cyclones can feel comfortable exploring and creating community wherever life may lead.
  • Holistic wellbeing
    • Our programs and services support all dimensions of wellbeing: physical, emotional, intellectual, financial, environmental, occupational, social, and spiritual. We are accessible and responsive to student and employee needs, minimize barriers that inhibit effective learning, and work to be a Health Promoting University.
  • Efficiency and innovation
    • We are committed to providing efficient and effective operational and financial strategies that enhance the student and employee experience at Iowa State University. We create innovative programs and services that provide value and growth for each unit, the division, and the institution. We share successes and outcomes with the community, encourage transparency, and invite discussion about where we can enhance our work.

Nomination form for Merit Staff Excellence Award

All Merit staff are eligible for the award regardless of position or tenure at the university or in student affairs.

  • Nominated based on one or more of the following:
    • Demonstrates efforts that are timely and relevant to current priorities
    • Demonstrates efforts that are innovative and creative in fulfilling assigned responsibilities
    • Demonstrates efforts that resulted in major contribution(s) (no more than two) that exemplify a contribution to the program/office
    • Demonstrates effort made for continual personal and professional development
    • Demonstrates efforts that exemplify high standards of public service

Nomination for Outstanding New Merit Staff Member Award

  • Worked at ISU for three years or less in a merit position within student affairs
  • Demonstrated innovation and creativity in accomplishing position responsibilities
  • Established a pattern of reliability or responsibility
  • Made an effort to continue personal and professional development
  • Exhibited excellent service to the department/university community
  • Continually fostered a spirit of cooperation; or exhibits potential for future contributions to the department/university community

Nomination form for Outstanding New Professional and Scientific Staff Member Award

  • Worked at ISU for three years or less in a professional capacity within student affairs
  • Demonstrated innovation and creativity in accomplishing position responsibilities
  • Established a pattern of reliability or responsibility
  • Made an effort to continue personal and professional development
  • Exhibited excellent service to the department/university community
  • Continually fostered a spirit of cooperation; or exhibits potential for future contributions to the department/university community

Nomination form for Team Values Awards

  • All Merit and P&S staff are eligible for the Team Values Awards regardless of position or tenure at the university or in student affairs
  • Special attention will be given to those teams that involved interdepartmental efforts and/or teams comprised of staff within or outside the division
  • Team of staff who have made a significant contribution to the values of the Division of Student Affairs (1)Student success, development and engagement 2) Principles of Community 3) Holistic wellbeing 4) Efficiency and innovation)
    • Demonstrates efforts that are timely and relevant to values
    • Demonstrates efforts that are innovative and creative in fulfilling assigned responsibilities
    • Demonstrates efforts that resulted in major contribution(s) (no more than two) to the department/division/university
    • Demonstrates effort made for continual personal and professional development
    • Demonstrates efforts that exemplify high standards of public service

Nomination form for Thomas B. Thielen Award
The Thomas B. Thielen Award, first awarded in 1998, is named for the man who served as Iowa State University’s Vice President for Student Affairs from 1977-1997. Under the twenty years of Dr. Thielen’s leadership, the Division of Student Affairs enjoyed national prominence, and ISU students thrived in a tradition of involvement in campus events, issues, and organizations. 
Criteria:

  • Faculty or staff member outside the Division of Student Affairs
  • Has been a strong supporter of student success

Nomination form for Wilbur L. Layton Faculty Recognition Award
This award is named for Iowa State University’s first Vice President for Student Affairs, Wilbur Layton, who served from 1967-1976.
Criteria:

  • Faculty members who have collaborated with the Division of Student Affairs to serve students and who have been strong supporters of student success
  • Special consideration is given to faculty members who have had a sustained relationship with the division

Student Awards

Nomination form for Above and Beyond Student Award

This award recognizes any student who has achieved unusual accomplishments demonstration their commitment to excellence in academics, leadership, and/or service.

Nomination form for Change Agent Award (Student)

This award highlights a transformational leader who inspires others to follow a vision. This agent for change uses their actions to create an opportunity for everyone to play a role in addressing the safety, support, and success of our campus community.
Criteria:

  • Leadership & Initiative: How has the nominee exceeded what was expected of them, and delivered a significant contribution and role-modeled outstanding leadership to others? How has the nominee led by example, set the tone around mobilizing and motivating students, peer groups and colleagues to contribute to building a culture of change?
  • Impact: How have the nominee’s efforts affected significant change and improved success, safety, and support within their team, department or campus community? How did they shift culture and management to become more inclusive and aware of culture change?
  • Innovation: How has the nominee taken a new approach to culture change around success, safety, and support of campus in new ways to innovate and affect change?

Nomination form for Outstanding Challenger Student Award

The Outstanding Challenger Award recognizes a student who has consistently challenged and inspired others

Nomination form for Unsung Hero Student Award

The Unsung Hero Award was created to recognize a student who has worked behind the scenes, assisted others, achieved their personal best or overcome obstacles. An unsung hero displays dedication, integrity, initiative, perseverance, generosity, and character.