Employee Recognition Week
Employee Recognition Week will be November, 2025
In 2024, we enjoyed the week celebrating employees who make a positive impact on others to help achieve the university's mission by living our values. Every day, we focused on an important aspect of demonstrating the university’s values and we shared ways to recognize fellow Warriors.
Values of the week:
Monday: 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
Virtual Scavenger Hunt - Join us as we embark on a unique scavenger hunt to celebrate the unsung heroes in our workplace!
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
Student Services Center
The Student Service Center team was nominated by Colleen Moore who wrote, “I am nominating the Student Service Center (SSC) team for the Warrior Heroes Award because of their exceptional commitment to serving prospective and current students all year round with a "can-do" attitude. Every business day, especially during periods of high student demand, the SSC team proactively stepped up, adapting workflows and extending support across departments to ensure every student received timely assistance. Through their work, students have been able to complete applications to Wayne State, successfully submit financial aid documents, register for classes, and feel supported in our community. They consistently asked, "How can we help?" and tackled each challenge with positivity and teamwork, creating a welcoming and efficient environment for students and families. Their dedication not only helped students navigate important processes smoothly but also reinforced WSU's commitment to providing outstanding service at every level.
- 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.
Please note: nominations must be submitted by a current supervisor or leader. If you are not a supervisor or leader, please work with the appropriate supervisor or leader to submit a nomination. Thank you for your support of the Value Awards!
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
Cornerstone Learning pilot participants can access the below links by logging into Academica > Employee Resources > Other Resources > Cornerstone Learning, then copying & pasting the Learning Resource link into a new tab using the same internet browser. Contact OED@wayne.edu should questions arise.
- Article: Improving Culture of Celebration in Higher Ed
- Building Personal Power Through Influence (19 min. course)
- Skills Builder - Aiming High (curriculum)
- Skills Builder - Peer Leadership (curriculum)
- The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership (58 min. course)
- Culture of Celebration Continuum: We build our culture of recognition, celebration and appreciation in many ways. The "Continuum" depicts opportunities to show appreciation for others along a range of best practices. Some of the most valued forms of recognition have no financial cost, but are the most meaningful to us. Which elements do you use? Are there some that you could add to what you already do? Download a copy of the Culture of Celebration Continuum
- 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
Tuesday: 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
GO TEAM Therapy Dogs - Take a moment to relax and visit our four-legged warriors of excellence, who are here to give you a break and thank you for the excellent work you do.
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
Katie McMillan, AssocDir, Public Relations
Nominator Matt Lockwood wrote, “Katie proactively led the redesign of the Today@Wayne employee newsletter this fall creating a fresh, streamlined communications tool to help keep the Wayne State community informed about all of the great ways the university is advancing its mission and serving its community. This is an important tool in ensuring faculty and staff have the news and information necessary to fully participate in the university, as well as serve as its ambassadors. Because of her relentlessly positive attitude and the fact that she embodies Wayne State's values, she has also developed strong relationships across campus further enhancing communications content. Katie is Warrior Excellence in action.”
- 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.
Please note: nominations must be submitted by a current supervisor or leader. If you are not a supervisor or leader, please work with the appropriate supervisor or leader to submit a nomination. Thank you for your support of the Value Awards!
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
Cornerstone Learning pilot participants can access the below links by logging into Academica > Employee Resources > Other Resources > Cornerstone Learning, then copying & pasting the Learning Resource link into a new tab using the same internet browser. Contact OED@wayne.edu should questions arise.
Wednesday: 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
Coffee with Coworkers - Get ready to start your day as a trailblazer. Stop and get a -320° Coffee & Creamery pastry and coffee as we thank you for all that you do.
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
Curtis Kratt, SrDir, IT Service Management
Nominator Robert Thompson wrote, “Curtis Kratt is a deserving candidate for the WSU Trailblazer Value Award due to his significant contributions to innovation on campus. This year, Curtis led the planning and successful launch of our WarriorGPT pilot, a WSU-owned AI tool for classroom use that protects the security and privacy of our students. It is now live with over 1,400 students across 72 sections. This initiative has not only enhanced the learning experience on campus but also demonstrated Curtis's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for educational advancement. Additionally, Curtis's leadership in the service management platform RFP process has been exemplary. He secured a campus-wide consensus on a recommendation to implement Team Dynamix to improve services university-wide. His efforts in benchmarking pricing with other universities and collaborating with various stakeholders are bringing substantial improvements to the campus's service management capabilities. Curtis's dedication to driving innovation and his collaborative approach make him an outstanding candidate for this award.”
- 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.
Please note: nominations must be submitted by a current supervisor or leader. If you are not a supervisor or leader, please work with the appropriate supervisor or leader to submit a nomination. Thank you for your support of the Value Awards!
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
Cornerstone Learning pilot participants can access the below links by logging into Academica > Employee Resources > Other Resources > Cornerstone Learning, then copying & pasting the Learning Resource link into a new tab using the same internet browser. Contact OED@wayne.edu should questions arise.
- Building Innovation Cultures and Leaders (course)
- Developing a Team of Creative Gurus (course)
- Building Collaborative Relationships (assessment, 12 min - provides personalized learning recommendations)
- Making Collaborative and Inclusive Decisions (AI Simulator, 8 min)
- Leadercamp on-demand: Building Innovative Teams (course)
Thursday: 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 - Donate gently used or new winter coats, new hats and new gloves to help students prepare for winter.
Donations will be given to the W Pantry and Thrift Shop for distribution.
We honor our WSU colleagues who passed away over the past year. It saddens our hearts to see any Warrior leave us, so we'd like to acknowledge and appreciate their time with us in a meaningful way. Please join us in remembering WSU Warriors who we've lost during the last 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
Tracy Boyce, AssocDir, Marketing & Communications, Education
Nominator Tami Augustine wrote, “Tracy Boyce is an outstanding member of the College of Education team. She consistently goes above and beyond to support enrollment and recruitment efforts. She supports individual efforts to raise others up to reach their goals, especially in her work mentoring students. However, what stands out the most to me is Tracy's kindness, compassion, and empathy. Tracy welcomes everyone - in ways that make them feel valued as an individual and member of the team. She consistently displays kindness and seeks to include. These may seem minor, but this makes a difference to those she works with and those lucky enough to benefit from her kindness.”
- 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.
Please note: nominations must be submitted by a current supervisor or leader. If you are not a supervisor or leader, please work with the appropriate supervisor or leader to submit a nomination. Thank you for your support of the Value Awards!
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
Cornerstone Learning pilot participants can access the below links by logging into Academica > Employee Resources > Other Resources > Cornerstone Learning, then copying & pasting the Learning Resource link into a new tab using the same internet browser. Contact OED@wayne.edu should questions arise.
Friday: 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
Enjoy this day of taking the lead on health and wellness in the workplace!
Morning Stretch
Meditation sessions
Resiliency workshopSend 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
Yousif Jiddou, Lieutenant, Public Safety
Nominator Assistant Chief Saunders wrote, “Lt Jiddou oversees our Field Training Program (FTO). He is responsible for ensuring that new officers are properly trained in patrol tactics, department and university policy, and performing their duties in a professional manner. Lt. Jiddou shows patience, fair assessments and mentoring to ensure that new officers are prepared to succeed at Wayne State. His dedication allows new personnel to gain confidence, experience and the safety skills to provide the best police services to the Wayne State community.” Nominator Captain Zarrieff added that “Lt. Jiddou is a proven leader who leads by example. He wears many hats within the WSUPD. He is responsible for training new officers, firearms instruction, accreditation manager, in-service training facilitator and day shift Commander. This all in addition to his most important role as a father to a child with special needs. His commitment to WSUPD is exemplified in his commitment to family and community which is the ultimate leadership trait!”
- 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.
Please note: nominations must be submitted by a current supervisor or leader. If you are not a supervisor or leader, please work with the appropriate supervisor or leader to submit a nomination. Thank you for your support of the Value Awards!
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
Cornerstone Learning pilot participants can access the below links by logging into Academica > Employee Resources > Other Resources > Cornerstone Learning, then copying & pasting the Learning Resource link into a new tab using the same internet browser. Contact OED@wayne.edu should questions arise.
- Influencing Through Positive Leadership (course)
- Leadercamp on-demand: Mastering Influence (course)
- Kindness in Leadership (book)
- Forging New Paths: Women's Advancement In Life and Work (curriculum)
- Leadership: The Multiplier Effect (book)
- Five Ways to Build Trust and Safety in Hybrid Teams (article)
- Lead the Team - Leadership Influence (AI simulator)
- Leadercamp on-demand: Positive Psychology at Work (course)
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
"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