Inspired by Momentous’ focus on an Empowered Campus Culture and the Division of Operations, Finance & Support’s commitment to a Community of Care, Human Resources (HR) and Staff Council have partnered to create a new staff awards resource. This initiative is designed to increase awareness and transparency around the many recognition opportunities available to Rice staff.
A One-Stop Resource for Staff Recognition
To broaden awareness of staff awards and ensure more employees are celebrated for their contributions, this new resource serves as a centralized hub featuring key details on staff recognition programs across the university. Staff can easily find:
- Award descriptions and purpose
- Eligibility requirements
- Nomination processes and deadlines
- Selection criteria and recognition details
To make navigation simple, the awards are categorized as follows:
- University-Wide Staff Awards – Open to all staff members across the university.
- Division-Specific Staff Awards – Tailored to employees within specific university divisions.
- Department-Specific Staff Awards – Programs that recognize contributions at the departmental level.
- Other Awards – Recognitions granted by student unions and university partners.
By consolidating this information into a single, easily accessible platform, Staff Council and HR hope to encourage more nominations and ensure that Rice staff feel celebrated for their achievements.
Celebrating Contributions from the Entire Rice Community
A key feature of this initiative is its emphasis on community nominations. While some awards are designated for leadership or managerial nominations, several allow for any member of the Rice community—students, faculty, and staff—to submit nominations. These awards include:
- Elizabeth Gillis Award for Exemplary Service – Recognizes a benefits-eligible staff member for his/her outstanding service and commitment to Rice’s mission.
- Rice Staff Excellence Award – Staff Council’s signature recognition, awarded annually to full-time staff members who make outstanding contributions to Rice University.
- Above and Beyond Award – Presented by the Division of Operations, Finance, and Support (OF&S) on a rolling basis, this award recognizes OF&S employees who take on extra responsibilities to support the broader campus community.
- Student/Faculty Hero Award – Celebrates hourly OF&S employees who interact directly with students and faculty, providing exceptional service and support.
Fostering a Culture of Recognition and Care
This initiative directly supports Rice’s commitment to fostering an empowered and caring campus culture by ensuring staff recognition is visible, accessible, and celebrated. Explore the Staff Awards webpage today and help celebrate the colleagues who make Rice thrive!
Many of these award winners will be honored at the upcoming Staff Appreciation Event on April 23rd at 9am at the Tudor Field House. President DesRoches and Kelly Fox will also share their perspective of staff progress and achievement.
For questions about the Staff Awards listing or other Staff Council initiatives, contact staffcouncil@rice.edu.