Alongside the pillars and metrics of UAB’s strategic plan, Forging the Future, are the shared values that articulate the character employees should exemplify in pursuing them: integrity, respect, diversity and inclusion, collaboration, excellence and achievement, stewardship and accountability.
These cornerstones, which are the foundation for consistent success in programs, units and the institution as a whole, also form the basis for new awards to recognize employees whose exceptional performance is worth emulating.
“The events of this year have made one thing perfectly clear,” said President Ray Watts. “It's how we respond to challenges and adversity that define us, not the adversity itself. In 2020, we have been challenged in every aspect of our mission, and yet our faculty, staff and leadership continue striving to ensure we can educate, innovate, serve and care for our students, patients and the citizens of Alabama. These new awards honor their efforts.”
The first is the President’s Award for Excellence in Shared Values. The inaugural award will be presented in January 2021 to a combined 20 faculty and staff whose colleagues have nominated them for consistently demonstrating one or more of UAB’s Shared Values in the course of their work during the extraordinary times presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Full-time employees in workforce groups A and F who have been in their position since January and are in good standing with the university are eligible. Nominations may be submitted online through Dec. 14.
An advisory committee comprising representatives from the Faculty Senate and the Staff Council will review the nominations and make recommendations to the president for final selection. Recipients will receive the following:
- $250 monetary award
- Recognition plaque
- President’s letter of recognition
- UAB shared values logo insignia
Learn more about this award and nominate colleagues for their exemplary contributions online.
The second initiative re-envisions the longstanding Employee of the Month/Year program. For 41 years, this program recognized outstanding employees for their dedication, hard work and contributions to the university’s success. Now, this award — the highest honor reserved for staff at UAB — is getting an upgrade.
UAB Human Resources paused the nomination and selection process this past fall to build a better one that emphasizes UAB’s shared values in action. The change is prompted in part by feedback provided during the 2019 Campus Engagement Survey, said Chief Human Resources Officer Alesia Jones.
“The program has been one of the longest-running traditions within HR,” Jones said. “And we want to ensure that it grows and matures along with the university, that it reflects and aligns with our values and makes use of technology now available to us. The new UAB Shared Values in Action Program (UAB VIP) does just that.”
The UAB VIP program, which Jones hopes to launch in January 2021, will be presented quarterly to three employees instead of one each month. HR is finalizing the new selection and review criteria and developing the online nomination form, she said.
“We’re excited to get started,” Jones said.
More information about the UAB VIP awards will be provided as it becomes available.