President's Distinguished Service Award
and
Staff Excellence Awards
The University Staff Senate invites the Wichita State University community to submit
nominations for outstanding University Staff for the 2026 President’s Award for Distinguished
Service and the newly established Staff Excellence Awards. These awards recognize
the dedication and excellence of Wichita State University Staff who have provided
exemplary, dedicated and caring service to the WSU community that is beyond the expectations of the duties and responsibilities of their position. Selected honorees are recognized
at the annual Shocker Pride Celebration. Nominations can be submitted by anyone from
within the Wichita State University community.
Nomination materials must be received by 5:00 pm CST on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Please send nomination electronically to Gabriel Fonseca at gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu
2026 Awards Timeline
- November 10, 2025 - January 23, 2026: Nominations are open.
- February 2026: Nominations are reviewed by Awards Committee and President.
- March 2026: Awards winners for Distinguished Service Award will receive notification of their award. Nominees for Staff Senate Awards will will receive their notification of nomination and invitation to Shocker STRIVE conference.
- April 2026: Award winners for the Distinguished Service Award are recognized at the Shocker Pride Celebration.
President's Distinguished Service Award
Each year the University Staff Senate complete a call for nominations among their constituents. Members of each senate award committee select three individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to the university community beyond their job descriptions. Honorees selected by each Senate are recognized at the Shocker Pride Celebration.
Eligibility for the President’s Distinguished Service Award
- Nominees must be a permanent Wichita State University employee, with at least a .5 appointment and minimum of 1 year of service at WSU.
- Nominee must exemplify one or more of the following characteristics:
- Distinguished service to the University
- Distinguished service to the community
- Notable outreach efforts and/or forging of connection between WSU and the community
- Long-term commitment to WSU through extensive committee service
- Nominees considered for the President’s Distinguished Service Award and Staff Excellence Awards shall only be Unclassified Professional and University Support Staff who are in staff roles at Wichita State University defined as all half-time (0.5 FTE) or greater, exempt, and nonexempt personnel who have an appointment status of contingent, provisional, hourly, or regular. All nominees must have a minimum of 1 year of service at WSU.
Staff Excellence Awards
Recognizing and celebrating the hard work and dedication of staff members at Wichita State University is essential to building a positive and engaged work environment. The Staff Excellence Awards aims to honor the outstanding contributions, leadership, and service of staff members at Wichita State University who go above and beyond in their roles. These awards will provide an opportunity to highlight the impact that staff have on the University’s success and to foster a culture of appreciation and motivation.
Eligibility for the Staff Excellence Awards
- Nominees must be a permanent Wichita State University employee, with at least a .5 appointment
- Nominee must exemplify characteristics that pertain to each award.
- Nominees considered for the President’s Distinguished Service Award and Staff Excellence Awards shall only be Unclassified Professional and University Support Staff who are in staff roles at Wichita State University defined as all half-time (0.5 FTE) or greater, exempt, and nonexempt personnel who have an appointment status of contingent, provisional, hourly, or regular. All nominees must have a minimum of 1 year of service at WSU.
The Staff Excellence in Belonging Award
The Staff Excellence in Belonging Award is presented to a staff member at Wichita State who prioritizes outstanding work on advancing belonging and inclusiveness to campus amongst staff members.
The Staff Excellence in Engagement Award
Staff Excellence in Engagement Award is an honor bestowed to an individual staff member who prioritizes engagement. The recipient is recognized for their commitment to building relationships with stakeholders and creating opportunities for partnerships that make a lasting impact.
The Staff Excellence in Customer Service Award
Staff Excellence in Customer Service Award is an honor bestowed to an individual staff member who prioritizes customer service. The recipient is recognized for their commitment to providing exceptional customer service to internal and external customers of the University.
The Young Professional Award
The Young Professional Award recognizes emerging leaders at Wichita State University who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement, leadership, and commitment to the institution’s mission. This award celebrates individuals in the early stages of their careers who, through their contributions, have made a significant impact on their department, students, colleagues, or the broader university community. Nominees should have less than 5 years of professional experience
The Everyday Hero Award
The Everyday Hero Award is presented to a staff member at Wichita State University who goes above and beyond to help others on campus. This award recognizes a staff member who offers support to a colleague, assisting others, or solves unexpected challenges. This award celebrates those who are always ready to lend a hand and demonstrate extraordinary commitment to teamwork, kindness, and problem-solving.
The Staff Excellence in Applied Learning Award
The Staff Excellence in Applied Learning Award honors staff members who demonstrate outstanding commitment to student learning beyond the classroom. Recipients of this award actively support, facilitate, or create applied learning experiences that enhance student development, career readiness, and real-world engagement. Their contributions reflect innovation, collaboration, and a deep dedication to student success.
The Staff Excellence in Administrative Support Award
The Staff Excellence in Administrative Support Award recognizes staff members who provide exceptional administrative service that enhances the efficiency, effectiveness, and overall success of their department or unit. Honorees demonstrate outstanding organizational skills, attention to detail, professionalism, and a commitment to supporting colleagues and institutional goals.
Wayne Carlisle Distinguished Service Award
One of the WSU Staff awardees selected will be given the exclusive honor of the Wayne Carlisle Distinguished Service Award. The Carlisle Award is presented to an WSU employee who models the standard of extraordinary service exhibited by the late Wayne Carlisle.