Nominations are open for the 2024 Outstanding Employee Awards. The annual recognition celebrates the University of Oregon’s officers of administration and classified staff. The nomination form and award criteria are available on the human resources website. 

Submissions are due April 12, and any UO employee may nominate one or more colleagues. Winners will be selected by a committee of their peers and honored at a university event in May.

The Outstanding Employee Awards are a well-received event designed to inspire the UO community. The awards recognize the on-the-job excellence and influence of the nominees and winners, which give them a greater sense of engagement and belonging in their jobs. 

"It was humbling to read the nominations from my colleagues," said Anni Elling, associate director of academic support in the College of Arts and Sciences and 2019 award winner. "We often hear feedback when things aren’t going well, and I was truly honored to hear that they also recognized all the positive things I do."

The university encourages faculty, officers of administration, classified staff and other employees to take a moment to think of an outstanding officer of administration or classified employee and then nominate that person. The positive feelings can extend beyond a sense of recognition for the winners to a greater sense of community across a large and diverse workforce.

"The best part of the award was learning about all the great things staff and OAs are doing across campus," Elling said. "It was inspirational to hear how our colleagues value the work we are doing at every level."