Staff Recognition
SEAS has developed staff recognition programs as part of an ongoing effort to celebrate and cultivate talent at all levels.
The Harvard Heroes program celebrates the accomplishments of Harvard staff whose work supports the mission of Harvard at the highest levels of contribution, impact and excellence.
Our Heroes:
2012 - Carlos Guerrero
2013 - Sandra Klemm and Kate Zirpolo Flynn
2014 - Eliza Grinnell and Oscar Sola
2015 - Nater Jorde and Eric Tatten
2016 - Marybeth Wilcox and Kathy Lovell
2017 - Lashanda Banks
2018 - Susan Forrest
2019 - Brandon Tilghman
2020 - Winner announcement postponed due to COVID-19
The Venkatesh "Venky" Narayanamurti Award for Mentoring and Community Building at SEAS, made possible through a generous gift by former SEAS Dean Venky Narayanamurti, is intended to encourage and recognize SEAS staff members who have made a significant contribution to mentoring (including the mentoring of direct reports, colleagues, or students) or to community building at SEAS. All SEAS staff members (except members of the award review committee), including full- and part-time staff on the bi-weekly payroll with primary appointments as staff members; research and teaching appointees such as lecturers and postdocs are ineligible).
Winners:
2012 - Julie Holbrook and Arlene Stevens
2013 - Anas Chalah, Meg Hastings, and Jill Larson
2014 - Nater Jorde and Marybeth Wilcox
2015 - Pavlos Prottopappas and Daniel Weinstock
2016 - Keith Karasek, Christopher Lombardo, and Patrick Ulrich
2017 - Norton Allen, Sarah Iams, and Margo Levine
2018 - Maddie Hickman, Elaine Kristant, and Kimia Mavon
2019 - Dina Adams, John Girash, Alexis Stokes
2020 - Winner announcement postponed due to COVID-19
The Abacus Award was created to recognize one faculty member each year who works to achieve positive results by establishing respectful partnerships with staff.
Winners:
2015 - Harry Lewis
2016 - Todd Zickler
2017 - David Parkes
2018 - Stephen Chong and Rob Wood
2019 -
The Dean’s Excellence Award was intended to honor those SEAS staff whose contributions have been instrumental to the success of the school. All staff at SEAS up to salary grade 60, including full- and part-time staff on the bi-weekly payroll with primary appointments as staff members were eligible (research and teaching appointees such as lecturers and postdocs were ineligible). This award has been replaced with the Dean's Distinction program.
Winners:
2012 - Don Claflin, Moriah Freeman, Josh Goss, and Pam Choi Redfern
2013 - Carol Harlow, Glenn Holloway, Jim MacArthur, and Nora McDonald
2014 - Julianna Braun, Krissy Day, Corinne Espinoza, and Margo Levine
2015 - Miguel Guerrero, Sarah Lefebvre, Caroline Perry, and Julie Holbrook
The Dean's Distinction annual program recognizes a small number of FAS and SEAS staff members for their outstanding citizenship and exceptional contributions in support of the FAS' teaching and research mission.
Winners:
2016 - ABET Team (David Hwang, Patrick Ulrich, Anna Dunavin) and Claudia Stearns, Michaela Kapp, and Derek Barton
2017 - Leah Burrows, Pamela Choi Redfern, and Hera Daldalian
2018 - Lisa Frazier-Zezze, Rebecca Loose, Adam Zewe
The Letter of Appreciation Program is intended to publicly acknowledge and show appreciation for colleagues who perform above and beyond their normal duties. All full and part-time staff employees of SEAS are eligible to receive a letter of appreciation. Nominations are as simple as an email to HR, and must include specific reasons why the nominee is deserving of this recognition.
To foster the spirit of thankfulness, HR and the Dean's Office arranges for thank you notes to be available to all staff and faculty around the time of the Thanksgiving holiday to use to express their thanks to others in the SEAS community. HR provides staff and faculty with cards and envelopes, all you have to do is ask.
The Harvard Service Milestone Recognition Program is a University-wide approach to the recognition of service milestones – or 5-year "work anniversaries." The program was designed to express appreciation for the dedication and service of our talented faculty and staff. Full details are available in the Program Guidelines. Faculty and staff celebrating anniversaries will receive a special message of thanks and congratulations, as well as a choice of gifts, during their anniversary month. Harvard will recognize the 5-year service anniversaries, from 5 to 60 years, of administrative/professional, support, and service and trade staff.
Spot Rewards are intended to recognize staff for meaningful or special contributions above and beyond their standard job responsibilities. All SEAS staff members are eligible to receive a Spot Reward.
- Spot Rewards can be given at any time during the year at the discretion of the manager.
- All Spot Rewards are set at $250.
- A staff member may receive more than one Spot Reward each year.
Merit Bonus Awards have been a component of the annual increase process for exempt staff for several years. Managers may nominate exempt staff members who have demonstrated excellence in their performance throughout the year to receive this award during the annual performance appraisal cycle.