L&S Staff Awards

L&S Staff Awards

The College of Letters & Science Staff Awards recognize exceptional staff members and celebrate the many ways they contribute to the success of our College. This year’s awards encompass both Academic Staff and University Staff, reflecting the important contributions staff make across L&S, regardless of classification. Award recipients also exemplify the core values identified by the L&S Staff Issues Committee (LSSIC), demonstrating the qualities and principles that help make L&S a strong, supportive, and collaborative community.

We have also introduced new, more specific award categories to better recognize the diverse ways our staff make a difference. From leadership and innovation to collaboration, research, service, and the values that shape how we work together, these awards recognize the many ways L&S staff make a meaningful difference. 

We invite you to take a moment to recognize a colleague whose work makes L&S stronger. Your nomination is an opportunity to celebrate the exceptional people who help our College thrive.

Nominations may be submitted by any member of the university community. Recipients will be honored at a celebration on Wednesday, April 21, 2027. Individuals may be nominated for only one L&S award per calendar year. Nominees who did not receive an award in a prior year may be re-nominated. Previous award recipients are not eligible for re-nomination in the same category in which they received an award. A list of past award recipients can be found [here].

Nominees must be members of the UW–Madison academic or university staff, a limited appointee with an academic staff backup appointment, a limited appointee with no backup appointment, or a limited appointee with a university staff backup appointment. Staff members must be employed at least 50% when being considered for an award.

Please read all award descriptions and eligibility requirements carefully before submitting a nomination to ensure you select the category that best reflects the nominee’s contributions.

Award Categories

Forward Award (Early Career)

The Forward Award recognizes rising stars who demonstrate outstanding performance in their role, substantial promise for future contributions, and a high degree of professionalism, setting the stage for continued success and leadership within the College.

One University Staff member and One Academic Staff member will receive an award annually. Each award includes a $3,000 stipend.
Eligible nominees have been members of the L&S academic staff for 2 to 7 years (including the current year).

Administrative Improvement and Innovation Award

Recognizes staff members who demonstrate exceptional achievement, leadership, and impact through innovative improvements to systems and processes, responsible stewardship of resources, and contributions that strengthen the College.

One University Staff member and One Academic Staff member will receive an award annually. Each award includes a $3,000 stipend.

Excellence in Research

The Excellence in Research Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement contributing to scholarly inquiry and investigation. Recipients advance knowledge, inspire others, support or produce research that benefits the College, the broader academic community, and society.

One University Staff member and One Academic Staff member will receive an award annually. Each award includes a $3,000 stipend.

WI Idea in Action Award

The Wisconsin Idea in Action Award recognizes L&S staff whose work connects the intellectual, cultural, and people of the College with communities across Wisconsin in ways that create shared value and mutual benefit. Nominees put the Wisconsin Idea into practice through public service, outreach, and community engagement, building reciprocal partnerships, sharing knowledge and expertise, learning with and from communities, and working together to address shared challenges and opportunities.

One staff member will receive an award annually. Award includes a $3,000 stipend.

The Badger Way Values Award

This award recognizes our staff who bring the characteristics of “The Badger Way” to L&S. Whether navigating challenges or celebrating growth, these individuals demonstrate an unyielding work ethic to support colleagues’ success, encourage connection and foster community.

One staff member will receive an award annually. Award includes a $3,000 stipend.

Performance through Partnership Award 

The Performance Through Partnership Award recognizes individuals who foster a high-performing community by leveraging people, processes, and technology. Recipients excel at collaboration, building strong partnerships across departmental lines, and creating systems that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

One staff member will receive an award annually. Award includes a $3,000 stipend.

Judith S. Craig Distinguished Service Award

This annual award recognizes a career marked by outstanding service to the College and the University. The award celebrates a sustained record of dedication, leadership, and meaningful contributions that have enriched the L&S community. 

One award annually, with a $5,000 stipend.
Eligible nominees have been members of the L&S staff for 15 or more years.
Recipients will have a record that demonstrates outstanding service to the College and University throughout their career.
Nominees may be current UW employees or past employees who were employed as of June 15 of the year prior to the nomination deadline.

Nomination Packets

NOMINATIONS OPEN ON OCTOBER 20, 2026

Nomination materials must be submitted through the Online Nomination Form by Friday, January 8, 2027.

Each packet must include:

• Letter of Nomination (maximum 2 pages) from any member of the university community, including:
  • Nominee’s name and award sought
  • Number of years the nominee has been a member of L&S staff (include start month and year)
  • Nominator’s professional relationship to the nominee
  • Basis for the nomination
• Two to four Letters of Support (maximum 2 pages each) that:
  • Clearly explain to readers outside the nominee’s unit why the nominee is outstanding
  • Provide specific examples addressing the award criteria
  • Come from individuals familiar with the nominee’s contributions
    Note: Neither the Dean nor members of the L&S PDRC Review Committee may nominate or write letters of support.
• CV or Résumé (maximum 6 pages) highlighting the nominee’s career achievements.

At least one required letter must be from someone within the nominee’s work unit.

Tips for writing a successful Staff Award Nomination can be found here.

Scoring Rubrics will be posted soon.

Questions:
Please direct any questions regarding the awards program or nomination process to Ali Burke at acburke2@wisc.edu.

Campus Academic Professional Development Awards and Campus Academic Staff Excellence Awards

For information about campus awards, please visit the Academic Staff Awards page.

Professional Development grants are also available to academic staff.