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Submit nominations for Commodore Award and new diversity award

Between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15, nominations will be accepted for two Vanderbilt University awards: the 2017 Commodore Award and the new Distinguished Leadership Award to Recognize Staff Leadership in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Information about each award is below.

Commodore Award

The annual Commodore Award is Vanderbilt’s highest staff honor, recognizing staff members who have made significant contributions to the university’s pursuit of excellence in education, research and community service.

Regular full-time staff members holding positions below the director or department head level with at least five years of consecutive Vanderbilt University service may be nominated for the award. Previous recipients of the Commodore Award may not win a second time. Nominations must be submitted using the online nomination form (available Oct. 15), on which you should describe how the nominee has achieved one or more of the following:

  • Overall performance and accomplishments that regularly and consistently far exceed performance expectations, reflecting a high level of service, dedication, conscientiousness, compassion and applied skill.
  • Handling a high impact or critical situation which had important consequences for a department, Vanderbilt University or the community.
  • Developing or improving processes that resulted in significant productivity and/or cost-savings improvements.

The Commodore Award winner for 2017 will be celebrated at the Service Award Ceremony Jan. 30, 2018

Nominations may be submitted Oct. 15–Nov. 15. More information can be found here.

Distinguished Leadership Award to Recognize Staff Leadership in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion announces the new Vanderbilt University Distinguished Leadership Award to Recognize Staff Leadership in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. This award is presented to a full-time regular staff member who has demonstrated exemplary contributions to Vanderbilt University’s mission, as well as exhibited outstanding commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. This annual award recognizes significant achievements in developing a culturally diverse, compassionate university community reflective of inclusive excellence.

Candidates must be regular full-time staff members with a minimum of three years of consecutive Vanderbilt service and are not a previous recipient of the award. All full-time staff whose role is not specifically dedicated to equity, diversity and inclusion are eligible for consideration.

Nominations must be submitted using the online nomination form (available Oct. 15). Criteria for selection are as follows:

  • Impact: An individual who has had an impact on the campus environment in a way that substantially enhances the institution’s equity, diversity and inclusion efforts.
  • Performance: An individual whose overall performance goes beyond the scope of their position at the university and reflects a high level of service, dedication, compassion and applied skills to the support of equity, diversity and inclusion.
  • Awareness: An individual who has contributed to raising awareness about equity, diversity and inclusion in accordance with Vanderbilt University’s mission.

Nominations may be submitted Oct. 15–Nov. 15. More information can be found here.