AWARDS OF DISTINCTION / J. MALON SOUTHERLAND AWARD
AWARD OF DISTINCTION (INDIVIDUAL) / J. MALON SOUTHERLAND AWARD
Criteria
Recipients are recognized for their outstanding individual contributions on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs.
The selection committee considers, but is not limited to the following criteria:
- Contributions toward job excellence – demonstrating performance on the job that is consistently outstanding and frequently outside the normal scope of prescribed duties.
- Innovation– demonstrating independent action and resourcefulness; encouraging new ideas and creativity; exhibiting leadership qualities within the context of position responsibilities; demonstrating other skills that exceed work expectations.
- Utilization of the two or more of the division’s strategic plan priorities of Inclusive & Caring Communities, Investing in Our Staff, Leveraging Resources, Student Learning through Engagement, Telling Our Story, Well-being to guide their practice.
Eligibility
Recipients must meet the following eligibility requirements to be recognized:
- Be a current Division of Student Affairs employee. All staff below the DSA department directors are eligible.
- Be full-time and budgeted at least 50% time.
- Have a minimum of six months of service, as of January 31, 2025 in current department or any other department within the Division of Student Affairs.
- Not have received a division-level individual award at any of the previous three DSA Awards ceremonies (2022, 2023, 2024).
Recognition
- J. Malon Southerland Award: the highest scoring award recipient will be awarded a $1,000 cash award and memento
- Award of Distinction (Individual): five individuals will each be awarded a $1,000 cash award and memento
Nomination Requirements
- Nominator must be a DSA staff member or affiliate staff member serving DSA
- Nomination form (separate nomination letter is not required)
- Two one-page letters of support (letters of support must be submitted from individuals other than the nominator)
- Professional photo of nominee
Failure to follow nomination requirements exactly will result in a disqualified nomination. No exceptions will be made.
The nomination form will be open for submissions on November 1, 2024, and will close on January 31, 2025 at 5 p.m. CST.
Download a copy of the Word document nomination template and be prepared to upload it to the form when submitting your nomination.
AWARD OF DISTINCTION (TEAM AWARD)
Criteria
Teams are recognized for their outstanding contributions on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs.
The selection committee considers, but is not limited to the following criteria:
- Contributions toward team excellence – demonstrating collaboration and cooperation as a team leading to performance that is consistently outstanding and frequently outside the normal scope of prescribed expectations.
- Independently and cooperatively, team members demonstrate resourcefulness; encourage new ideas and creativity; exhibit leadership qualities within the context of position responsibilities; skills that exceed expectations.
- Utilization of the two or more of the Division’s strategic plan priorities of Inclusive & Caring Communities, Investing in Our Staff, Leveraging Resources, Student Learning through Engagement, Telling Our Story, Well-being to guide their practice.
Eligibility
Recipients must meet the following eligibility requirements to be recognized:
- Be a current Division of Student Affairs employee or DSA affiliate employee. All staff below the DSA department directors are eligible.
- Be full-time and budgeted at least 50% time.
An entire DSA department is not eligible for the team award.
Recognition
- Individual plaques
- Team members will be awarded $200 each or will split a maximum amount of $2,000.
- One team awarded
Nomination Requirements
- Nominator must be a DSA staff member or affiliate staff member serving DSA
- Nomination form (separate nomination letter is not required)
- Two one-page letters of support (letters of support must be submitted from individuals other than the nominator)
- Professional photo of nominee
Failure to follow nomination requirements exactly will result in a disqualified nomination. No exceptions will be made.
AWARD OF DISTINCTION (GRADUATE ASSISTANT)
Criteria
Recipients are recognized for their outstanding individual contributions on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs.
The selection committee considers, but is not limited to, the following criteria:
- Contributions toward job excellence – demonstrating performance on the job that is consistently outstanding and frequently outside the normal scope of prescribed duties.
- Innovation – demonstrating independent action and resourcefulness; encouraging new ideas and creativity; exhibiting leadership qualities within the context of position responsibilities; demonstrating other skills that exceed work expectations.
- Utilization of the two or more of the Division’s strategic plan priorities of Inclusive & Caring Communities, Investing in Our Staff, Leveraging Resources, Student Learning through Engagement, Telling Our Story, Well-being to guide their practice.
Eligibility
Recipients must meet the following eligibility requirements to be recognized:
- Be a current Division of Student Affairs graduate assistant.
- Be a full-time graduate student and budgeted as at least 50% time as a graduate assistant.
Recognition
- $500 cash award and memento
- One individual awarded
Nomination Requirements
- Nominator must be a DSA staff member or affiliate staff member serving DSA
- Nomination form (separate nomination letter is not required)
- One one-page letter of support (letter of support must be submitted from an individual other than the nominator)
- Professional photo of nominee
Failure to follow nomination requirements exactly will result in a disqualified nomination. No exceptions will be made.
Nominations for 2025 are closed.