Each year, the College recognizes the exceptional contributions of academic staff through three award categories: Early Career, Mid-Career, and the Judith S. Craig Distinguished Service Award.

Nominations may be submitted by any member of the university community. Recipients will be honored at a celebration on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. 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 be members of the UW–Madison academic 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. Academic staff members must be employed at least 50% when being considered for an award.

Award Categories

Early Career Award

(One to two awards annually, each with a $3,000 stipend)
Eligible nominees have been members of the L&S academic staff for 0 to 7 years (including the current year).
Recipients will have a record that demonstrate an outstanding performance in position, substantial promise of future contributions and a high degree of professionalism.

Mid-Career Achievement Award

(One to three awards annually, each with a $3,000 stipend)
Eligible nominees have been members of the L&S academic staff for 8 or more years (including the current year).
Recipients will have a record that demonstrates an outstanding performance in position, leadership and service beyond position and substantial professional competence and the promise of continuing contributions

Judith S. Craig Distinguished Service Award

(One award annually, with a $5,000 stipend)
Eligible nominees have been members of the L&S academic 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

Nomination materials must be submitted through the online nomination form (available [here]) by Friday, January 30, 2026.

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 academic 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.

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

Early Career Award

Amanda Buchberger, Teaching Faculty IV, Chemistry

Jana Martin, Associate Director, Language Institute

Susan Rufledt, Assistant Director, L&S Academic Advising Services

Mid-Career Award

Steven Kulig, Associate Director, Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs

Elizabeth Rose, Department Administrator, Psychology

Chad Wilkinson, Teaching Faculty IV, Chemistry

Judith S. Craig Distinguished Achievement Award

Elaine Klein, Associate Dean for Academic Planning, L&S Administration

Ronald Kuka, Faculty Associate, English

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.