Reward and Recognition

Adjunct faculty members play a crucial role at Mason. They bring expertise, experience, energy, and enthusiasm that enhance the Mason experience for faculty, staff, and students. The Adjunct Faculty Service Award recognizes a member of the adjunct faculty who displays exceptional commitment and service to the university, its mission, and its students. This award is open to up to three adjunct faculty members. Each recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• The nominee must be an adjunct faculty member who has taught at Mason for at least four semesters
• Contributes to the success of colleagues and complements the department and Mason through their dedication and exemplary service
• Embodies the mission and values of the university community

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

This award recognizes a faculty or staff member who has made exceptional contributions to fostering a positive, inclusive, and vibrant campus culture at any one of our George Mason campus locations, including the remote work environment. The recipient actively works to create an environment that supports well-being, collaboration, and engagement across the university community. The recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• Classified staff, A/P faculty, I/R faculty, or non-student wage employee who demonstrates leadership in promoting a positive and inclusive campus environment
• Has initiated or contributed to efforts that enhance student and employee well-being, morale, or engagement
• Serves as a role model for others, fostering a sense of community and belonging
• Aligns with the university's mission and values of collaboration, inclusivity, and respect

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

Mason’s values and mission uphold the highest standards of integrity, civility, and respect for self, our students, our colleagues, and the community at-large. Mason’s faculty and staff should uphold these core values to form a collaborative community for the betterment of all. This award recognizes an individual who is a role model of integrity, civility, respect, and positive behavior. The recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• The nominee must be a faculty or staff member who has been employed at Mason for at least one year.
• Consistently acts with respect in all interactions and holds themselves personally responsible for their own behavior and actions.
• Promotes positive relations in the campus community by not only being an example to others, but also by encouraging and nurturing good behavior.
• Cultivates and maintains an environment where one’s behavior and words, even in times of conflict, reflects restraint, responsibility, and respect.

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

This award recognizes individuals whose efforts exemplify the leadership and dedication of David W. Rossell, who retired from George Mason University in 2007 with over 20 years of loyal service. His devotion to the Mason community focused on leadership, teaching and fulfilling Mason’s mission. The recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• Must be an instructional, administrative or professional faculty who has been employed at the University for at least one year
• Works on projects or initiatives outside the realm of normal duties, resulting in the advancement of the University's mission. Shares time and expertise in service to the University and to the community and puts our students first.
• Displays effort to advance the stature of the department and/or the entire University
• Displays leadership

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

The Excellence in Action Award was designed to recognize individuals for their significant achievements for the betterment of the University and whose actions exemplify Mason’s values. Each recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• Nominee must be a University employee for at least one year. Classified employees, administrative/professional faculty and wage employees are eligible for this award.
• Accomplished some achievement that resulted in significant benefit to the university, school, institute or department
• Achievement must be a sustained, long-term accomplishment (for at least a one year period) within the realm of the employees’ job
• Nominees' accomplishment must support the mission and values of the university

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

Employees who provide excellent support are the backbone of Mason; they provide the strength for their department and the University to grow and prosper. They are often the “go-to” person in their department providing excellent customer service and ensuring that the functions and operations of their department run smoothly. Up to 4 Exceptional Support awards (2 for Academic Units and 2 for Non-Academic Units) can be awarded and each recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• Nominee must be a University employee for at least one year
• Provides support to ensure that the functions and operations of the nominee's department run smoothly. Contributes to the success of colleagues by sharing applicable knowledge and expertise
• Demonstrates quality customer service to internal and external customers with responsiveness in a timely and appropriate manner
• Gets results by identifying, creating, and implementing innovative solutions to improve the way work is done, making it easier, more efficient and/or less costly

Nomination

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

This prestigious award honors a faculty or staff member who has made a long-term, transformative impact on the university throughout their career. The recipient has left a legacy through their contributions to the university's mission, values, and growth, shaping the institution in meaningful ways. The recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• Must have a minimum of 15 years of service at the university as Classified staff, A/P faculty, I/R faculty, or non-student wage
• Demonstrated sustained excellence in their role over many years
• Has made significant contributions that will have a lasting positive impact on the university community
• Actively supports and promotes the university's core values
• Serves as a role model for colleagues and students

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

The Goldie and Diane Hattery Award for Excellence honors a Mason Housing and Residence Life or Facilities Management employee for their exceptional service and support to their unit and to Mason. There will be two recipients and each will receive $800.

Criteria for this award:

• Must be a Housing and Residence Life or Facilities Management employee who works in Housekeeping, Janitorial Services, or one of the Facilities Management Services Departments or Shops.
• Must be a classified, wage, or contracted employee with at least one year of employment at Mason.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service and exemplary job performance.
• Goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Nomination Form:

To nominate someone, submit the nomination form.

**Formulario en español**

This award honors a faculty or staff member who has introduced innovative solutions, programs, or processes that have significantly improved university operations, student experience, or academic outcomes. Their work has led to measurable improvements and exemplifies the university's value of innovation. The recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• Demonstrated successful implementation of an innovative solution or program that addresses a specific challenge
• Classified staff, A/P faculty, I/R faculty, or non-student wage staff are eligible
• The innovation must have had a measurable impact on efficiency, outcomes, or the university experience
• Encourages and inspires others to think creatively and innovatively
• Aligns with the university's mission of progress and innovation

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

This award recognizes individuals whose efforts carry on the work and demonstrate the character of its namesake, the late Margaret C. Howell, who retired from George Mason University in 2002. For 20 years, Margaret performed outstanding, committed service as a valued and well-loved member of the Mason community—beginning as secretary for minority student affairs before retiring as an Equal Opportunity/Title IX Coordinator and Diversity Specialist. Both in work as in life, her focus remained on the development of respect, diversity, and individual dignity throughout the University and surrounding community. The award recipient will receive $2,000.

Criteria

• Nominees must have at least three continuous years of service at Mason
• Nominees should display evidence of work that promotes respect, diversity and individual dignity. Some examples include: providing mentorship for students, faculty or staff; developing programs that promote cross-cultural understanding and cooperation; or resolving problems and concerns arising from individual differences
• Nominees’ efforts should show an impact on an individual or group of individuals, George Mason University, and/or the surrounding community

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

The award is named after Martha J. Reiner, who retired in 2005 after 17 years of quality customer service to the Mason community. She was the recognized goodwill ambassador and "go to" person for her department, who along with her commitment to outstanding customer service skills, worked to recognize others through the development of programs like the Employee of the Month. The recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• Nominee must be a University employee for at least one year
• Shows exceptional initiative in "going the extra mile" to provide service to internal and external customers with timely and appropriate follow-up
• Shows responsiveness to the needs of students, patrons or customers to enhance the department and/or Mason’s mission
• Demonstrates improvement of customer service and satisfaction

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

Alumni of George Mason University currently working for Mason are a special group of employees who are proud to call themselves Patriots. Their hard work and contributions to the university community are a reflection of their unique perspectives as former students and current employees. This award pays tribute to this special population of employees.

There will be one faculty award recipient and one staff award recipient. Each recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• The nominee must be a staff or faculty member who has been employed at Mason for at least one year and must have a degree from George Mason University.
• Makes lasting and unique contributions to Mason to enhance the life for faculty, students and staff.
• Embodies the mission and values of the university community.

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

This award recognizes an individual who has provided exceptional mentorship to colleagues, students, or staff. The recipient actively supports the personal and professional development of others, fostering growth, guidance, and career advancement through sustained mentorship. The recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• Classified staff, A/P faculty, I/R faculty, or non-student wage staff employee who has demonstrated consistent and effective mentorship for at least one year
• Provides guidance, support, and professional development to mentees, helping them achieve personal and career goals
• Exhibits a genuine interest in the success and growth of others
• Created a lasting positive impact on the careers or development of mentees
• Aligns their mentorship with George Mason's core values

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

One of George Mason’s values is We Thrive Together, but what does that value look like in action? How do George Mason teams actively nurture a positive and collaborative community? Good teamwork is always important, and even more so this year.

The Patriot Pathbreakers Award, established by Human Resources and the Staff Senate, seeks to honor two high performing teams who embody the George Mason value of thriving together. High performing teams are active pathbreakers, using the individual talents of team members to overcome obstacles and make progress toward the team’s, unit’s, or university’s goals. These teams are innovative, adapting their services/processes when necessary to meet the changing needs of the George Mason community. The sum of their efforts is a result of communication, teamwork, and team spirit and commitment.

This award is open to two teams and each team member will receive an award certificate and a gift card.

Criteria

• Teams must be comprised of George Mason employees of any classification and any length of service. Teams do not have to be members of the same department but must be a group of employees working towards a shared vision.
• The team models active collaboration; they leverage each individual’s strengths and contributions, and demonstrate mutual respect, inclusivity, and trust. When necessary, these teams innovatively adapt their services or processes to meet the evolving needs of the George Mason community.
• The teams utilize effective and positive communication strategies.

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional potential and growth within their role during their brief time at the university. It is given to a faculty or staff member with fewer than three years of service who has shown initiative, dedication, and a clear trajectory toward future leadership and success. The recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• Must have been employed at the university for less than three years as Classified staff, A/P faculty, I/R faculty, or non-student wage
• Demonstrates outstanding promise, creativity, and enthusiasm in their role
• Exhibits leadership qualities and a proactive approach to challenges
• Contributes significantly to team success or department goals
• Aligns with the university's mission and values

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.

This award celebrates a non-student wage staff employee who has consistently demonstrated excellence, dedication, and exceptional organizational citizenship, contributing significantly to the university's operations and mission. The recipient will receive $1,000.

Criteria

• Must be a current non-student wage employee
• Demonstrates consistent excellence and commitment in their role
• Positively impacts the university through high-quality work and service
• Works collaboratively with colleagues and departments
• Supports the university's mission and values through their actions

Nomination Form

To nominate someone, complete the electronic nomination form.