Employee Recognition Week

We look forward to celebrating Employee Recognition Week in November, 2024!

Last year's Employee Recognition Week was November 13-17, 2023! We enjoyed the week celebrating employees who make a positive impact on others to help achieve the university's mission. Every day we focused on an important aspect of excellence and share ways to recognize fellow Warriors.

Employee Recognition Week is brought to you by the Human Resources Employee Recognition Committee:

  • Pearlanne Pollard, co-chair
  • Merilyn Merkison, co-chair
  • Dawn Aziz
  • Shanell Brazil
  • Julie Crego
  • Sophia Dollar
  • Sharon Tse

2023 Daily Value Focus:

Monday, November 13, 2023: Warrior Heroes 

This day is all about individuals who proactively accept challenges and willingly help others with a "can-do" attitude and an exceptional commitment to service that enables us to achieve the university's mission.

  • Today's Events

    Go Team Therapy Dogs 

    • Stop by to get some love from a four-legged hero.
    • Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
    • Locations: AAB atrium & Scott Hall (south side of cafeteria)

    Send a Warrior Hero Certificate to an individual/team who proactively accepts challenges and willingly helps others with a "can-do" attitude and an exceptional commitment to service that enables us to achieve the university's mission.

  • Today's Warrior Hero

    A Warrior Hero proactively accepts challenges and willingly helps others with a "can do" attitude and an exceptional commitment to service that enables us to achieve the university's mission. 

    Today's Warrior Hero

    Computing & Information Technology Help Desk Team

    The Help Desk team was nominated by Curtis Kratt who wrote, “In addition to standard IT support calls, the Help Desk takes all university operator and classroom support calls to ensure expeditious routing and quick resolution for all queries. The recent fall semesters have been the most challenging starts in recent years, with the major return of on-site instruction, re-opening of the C&IT Service Center, the launch of the Unified Communications project, the launch of Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication, the opening of M. Roy Wilson State Hall, and Fall Opening 2023 initiatives. Despite the overwhelming challenge, the C&IT Help Desk has maintained a 98% customer satisfaction score across 1,662 surveys with a 31% response rate over the year thus far. Outstanding!” Congratulations to the Computing & Information Technology Help Desk team. Keep up the great job!

  • Leaders

    Use this Job Aid to learn more about Warrior Heroes, see examples of how to write a brief description of why they should receive recognition, and determine if you'd like to send a certificate of recognition and/or submit a nomination for a Value Award.

    Send a certificate of recognition to an individual and/or team any time you'd like.

    Submit Nomination for Warrior Heroes Value Award

    Celebrate Warrior Heroes today in a way that is meaningful for your team. Share a treat together in a team meeting over stories of how people in your team provide exceptional service.  Send thanks from your team to another team for their service to you. Call out people whose service may be less visible to others, but no less appreciated. What other ideas can your team come up with to recognize Heroes in the coming months?

  • Learning Resources

    Continuum Image of Recognition

     

    • Best Practice Elements: Our reward and recognition strategy purposefully incorporates three elements to build a culture of excellence: encouraging effort, celebrating careers, and rewarding results. Together, these best practice components give us several opportunities to appreciate fellow warriors in meaningful ways to create high levels of job satisfaction and engagement. Download a copy of the Best Practices Elements

    Venn Diagram of Recogntion Elements

Tuesday, November 14, 2023: Warrior Excellence

Celebrate Individuals and teams who consistently achieve the highest quality outcomes by going above and beyond the expected and demonstrate an unparalleled work ethic with exceptional character.

  • Today's Events

    Coffee with coworkers 

    Send a Warrior Excellence Certificate to an individual/team who consistently achieves the highest quality outcomes by going above and beyond the expected and demonstrates an unparalleled work ethic with exceptional character. 

  • Today's Warrior with Excellence

    A Warrior with Excellence consistently achieves the highest quality outcomes by going above and beyond the expected and demonstrates an unparalleled work ethic with exceptional character.

    Today's Warrior with Excellence

    Cheryl Deep, Director of Outreach Communications, Institute of Gerontology& Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute. 

    “For over 17 years Cheryl has been an exceptional member of the Institute of Gerontology staff,” wrote Peter Lichtenberg in his nomination. “In fact, her level of performance...was so exceptional that when I became the Director of both the IOG and the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute I assigned Cheryl to duties across both institutes…Her newsletters and Annual Reports were exceptional and enhanced the reputations of our Institutes and provided materials to share with prospective donors and other funders as well, but Cheryl's impact was much more. She became a creator of new educational materials and teaching in the community of older adults, and a co-investigator on several grants and projects. Above all, Cheryl is the person the staff turns to for support and wisdom – a truly excellent choice for this award.” Congratulations, Cheryl. Keep up the great job!

  • Leaders

    Use this Job Aid to learn more about Warrior Excellence, see examples of how to write a brief description of why they should receive recognition, and determine if you'd like to send a certificate of recognition and/or submit a nomination for an Annual Employee Recognition Award.

    Send a certificate of recognition to an individual and/or team any time you'd like.

    Submit Nomination for Warrior Excellence Value Award

    Celebrate Warrior Excellence today with a "spotlight" on someone in your team who went above and beyond to achieve an individual/team goal. Take an "excellence walk" together to enjoy your success. Start a friendly excellence "GIF war" to send the best compliments back and forth; as the team leader, start the "volleying!"

  • Learning Resources

Wednesday, November 15, 2023: Warrior Trailblazers

Recognize individuals and teams today who create outstanding innovation that positively impacts the Wayne State community by demonstrating the courage to implement new things that result in improved processes and a better customer experience.

  • Today's Events

    Panel discussion - click here for recording of panel discussion with past Warrior Trailblazers

    Send a Warrior Trailblazers Certificate to an individual/team who creates outstanding innovation that positively impacts the Wayne State community by demonstrating the courage to implement new things that result in improved processes and a better customer experience.

  • Today's Warrior Trailblazer

    A Warrior Trailblazer creates outstanding innovation that positively impacts the Wayne State community by demonstrating the courage to implement new things that result in improved processes and a better customer experience. 

    Today's Warrior Trailblazer

    Christian Hodges, Talent Manager Coordinator, HR Client Services.

    Nominator Brian Wittenberg wrote, “Christian has been working diligently to be a subject matter expert in everything Cornerstone (WayneTalent). Christian also took a seed of an idea for us to reach out to local Michigan Universities and Colleges to send our recruitments over for passive candidates. But he didn’t stop there, he looked up and collected HR and business leaders contact information for almost 200 organizations in Michigan and created a contact sheet that he can distribute at any time easily to capture interest for hard to fill positions…I have received countless unsolicited positive comments for Christian by many of our clients across campus, his teammates, leaders and newly onboarded employees complimenting Christian for making the process seamless and easy for them. Excellent job, Christian.” Congratulations, Christian. Keep up the great job!

  • Leaders

    Use this Job Aid to learn more about Warrior Trailblazers, see examples of how to write a brief description of why they should receive recognition, and determine if you'd like to send a certificate of recognition and/or submit a nomination for an Annual Employee Recognition Award.

    Send a certificate of recognition to an individual and/or team any time you'd like.

    Submit Nomination for Warrior Trailblazers Value Award

    Celebrate Warrior Trailblazers today by doing a problem-solving activity with your team to brainstorm solutions to a current problem; don't edit initial ideas look for an ideal state or "what could be" and then identify boundaries or barriers to overcome to make it happen.  Reward and recognize learning and effort that puts someone and/or your team on the path to innovation and creativity even through mistakes. Ask your team how they would like to be recognized for innovation and then put out a challenge that will earn the desired (valued) recognition when aspects of the challenge are met.

  • Learning Resources

Thursday, November 16, 2023: Warriors Who Care

This day focuses on individuals and teams who make a positive difference in the lives of others by valuing all people, demonstrating empathy, concern/care, and supporting others to create a culture of spirit and belonging that helps to set WSU apart.

  • Today's Events

    Coat drive

    • Drop off gently used or new coats to help students prepare for winter. Canned goods are also greatly appreciated! Donations will be given to the W Pantry and Thrift Shop.
    • Time: 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
    • Drop-off location: AAB atrium

    Special remembrance video - honoring the WSU Warriors we've lost this past year:

    Send a Warriors Who Care Certificate to an individual/team who makes a positive difference in the lives of others by valuing all people, demonstrating empathy, concern/care, and supports others to create a culture of spirit and belonging that helps to set WSU apart.

  • Today's Warrior Who Cares

    Warriors Who Care make a positive difference in the lives of others by valuing all people, demonstrating empathy, concern/care, and support others to create a culture of spirit and belonging that helps to set WSU apart.

    Today's Warrior Who Cares

    M. Queentry

    Mark Queentry, Student Center Services Coordinator, School of Medicine

    “Mark is the face of the Enrollment Management team here at the School of Medicine,” wrote nominator Gabriel Sauvie. “He never hesitates to go out of his way to ensure that questions are answered and whomever he is helping leaves happy. His role is not easy as we support prospective students, current students and former students. It is because of our customer base he needs to have a wide breadth of knowledge. So, he needs to know 90% of the answers to the questions that all of these groups might have. He does a great job learning and growing with every interaction. The thing that also amazes me is his personality. He is always happy, willing to help out on a project and I feel his positivity rubs off on not only those in the office but our students as well.” 

  • Leaders

    Use this Job Aid to learn more about Warriors Who Care, see examples of how to write a brief description of why they should receive recognition, and determine if you'd like to send a certificate of recognition and/or submit a nomination for an Annual Employee Recognition Award.

    Send a certificate of recognition to an individual and/or team any time you'd like.

    Submit Nomination for Warriors Who Care Value Award

    Celebrate Warriors Who Care today by doing something together as a team to get to know each other better. Join forces for a shared cause. Buddy up as a pair or triad to job shadow for an hour or a day. Come back together to discuss what you learned from each other. Empathy involves being able to understand how others feel and demonstrating compassion toward them. Don't just "stand in someone else's shoes," walk with them!

  • Staff

    Visit the Culture of Care website to send a Care Note to a fellow Warrior and find tips and tools with fun ways you can build a culture of celebration.

    For some people, empathy comes more naturally, but there are things anyone can do to improve. Find out 1 thing that you didn't know about someone today. Be a "radical listener" monitor yourself in an upcoming conversation are you truly present with that person? Identify one habit that you could adjust to ensure that you are listening to others, not just hearing them.

  • Learning Resources

Friday, November 17, 2023: Warrior Leadership

Say thank you to individuals who provide outstanding leadership in achieving results through others by motivating them, recognizing their talents, and inspiring them to accomplish goals. Leaders also demonstrate the university's values in the pursuit of personal and professional growth.

  • Today's Events

    Interview with a Warrior Leader

    Listen to an interview on leadership with Warrior Leader, Carolyn Hafner, our AVP and CHRO and Sharon Tse, OED Consultant

    Listen to interview here!

    Send a Warrior Leadership Certificate to an individual who provides outstanding leadership in achieving results through others by motivating them, recognizing their talents, and inspiring them to accomplish goals. Leaders also demonstrate the university's values in the pursuit of personal and professional growth. 

  • Today's Warrior Leader

    A Warrior Leader provides outstanding leadership in achieving exceptional results by motivating individuals, recognizing their talents, and inspiring them to accomplish goals. A Warrior Leader demonstrates the university's values in the pursuit of personal and professional growth.

    Today's Warrior Leader

    Julia Stewart, Project Coordinator at the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice.

    Julia was nominated by Liz Tillander who wrote, “Julia is an excellent leader. She initially pursued us to inquire about the work we do at the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice back in 2019. She persisted, started her MSW in 2021, requested an internship with us in 2022, and was offered a position at the end of that internship. Throughout each of these steps, she has been thoughtful, intentional, intelligent, and very dedicated to the work we do. In her new role at the CBHJ, she has taken our work on a new project to a whole new level, quickly becoming a leader in the state on assisted outpatient treatment. She positively represents the CBHJ and exemplifies how transformational a single team member can be.”

  • Leaders

    Use this Job Aid to learn more about Warrior Leadership, see examples of how to write a brief description of why they should receive recognition, and determine if you'd like to send a certificate of recognition and/or submit a nomination for an Annual Employee Recognition Award.

    Send a certificate of recognition to an individual and/or team any time you'd like.

    Submit Nomination for Warrior Leadership Value Award

    Celebrate Warrior Leadership today by taking a moment to recognize someone who has had a positive influence on you and/or your team. Include a brief discussion with your team on aspects of leadership that they embody. Ask them to share one person in their lives whom they consider an exceptional leader and why (could be fictional, living or not, personal or professional).  Share insights together.

  • Learning Resources

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou