Team Excellence Award
Complete the nomination form online
The Illinois State University Team Excellence Award was established in 1997 to recognize collaborative efforts of a group demonstrating exemplary teamwork. Groups that worked during the previous year are announced and recognized annually.
Criteria
Awards will recognize a departmental unit or cross-unit work group that has facilitated, promoted, or demonstrated one or more of our institutional values (see below) through their collaborative efforts. The criteria for selection will focus upon the efficient use of fiscal and human resources to meet University goals and objectives that enhance the quality of our collective lives. Awards will be given for projects that have had significant accomplishments between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 (Fiscal Year 2023).
Our Values
Learning and Scholarship: Illinois State University works with students as partners in their educational development so they appreciate learning as an active and lifelong process. The University contributes new knowledge through research and creative activities in which all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate. Faculty members embrace a model that values their contributions as both teachers and scholars in a balanced way.
Individualized Attention: Illinois State University provides a supportive environment that focuses on each student as an individual. The University immerses learners in teaching and scholarship, fosters academic and personal growth, recognizes unique educational aspirations, and values each faculty and staff member’s contributions to student success.
Diversity and Inclusion: Illinois State University affirms and encourages community and a respect for differences. The University fosters an inclusive environment characterized by cultural understanding and engagement, ethical behavior, and a commitment to social justice. The University supports a diverse faculty and staff who mentor a diverse student population. The institution endeavors to provide opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to participate productively in a global society.
Civic Engagement: Illinois State University prepares students to be informed and engaged global citizens; ethical leaders who will craft, promote, and further positive goals for the betterment of society. The University promotes active learning experiences, through which students gain an awareness and understanding of civic engagement as a lifelong responsibility.
Respect: Illinois State University fosters a culture characterized by mutual respect, a civil exchange of ideas, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving. Faculty, staff, and students acknowledge others’ rights to express differing opinions; they listen to opposing views conscientiously; and, when disagreeing, they do so responsibly.
Integrity: Illinois State University promotes an environment defined by the highest ethical standards. Leadership of the University is characterized by stability, adherence to shared values, collaborative decision-making, and accountable stewardship of all university resources. Teaching and learning, including research and creative activities, are conducted at the highest level of academic quality and integrity.
Collaboration: Illinois State University community members work collaboratively to ensure the success of the University. They are dedicated to participating in shared governance, building on prior accomplishments, and making ongoing improvements. The University partners with business, industry, government, and educational entities to provide leadership in local, statewide, national, and international initiatives; expand service and outreach; and enhance financial support for instructional, scholarly, and service activities.
Our Vision
Illinois State University will remain a national leader and be recognized world-wide for educating high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized and transformative experience at an institution that:
- Offers premier undergraduate and graduate programs that integrate emerging and innovative ideas with traditional knowledge and methods;
- Generates knowledge through high-quality scholarship (research and creative activities);
- Supports student learning through a seamless integration of curricular and co-curricular activities that actively engage students and broaden their perspectives; and
- Serves the region, state, nation, and world through its commitments to responsible stewardship, meaningful civic engagement, cultural enrichment, and the development of global citizens.
The Award
A one-time award of $3,000 will be presented to the team that best meets the criteria outlined above. Two honorable mention awards of $1,000 each may also be given. These awards may be used for business related items as determined by the team decision-making process of award recipients, but may not be used for personal gain. The award winning team may receive this award no more frequently than once every seven years. In the event of a cross-unit/department team, the monetary award will be divided equitably among team members.
Eligibility
A team (two or more individuals) must consist of civil service staff and/or administrative professional staff, and/or faculty. A team may consist of a group from one departmental unit or from more than one unit.
Nomination Procedure
A letter of support from the team's direct supervisor and/or the team’s department chair/school director should accompany the completed nomination form. Nomination materials are due November 10, 2023.
Award recipients will be notified early in the spring semester.
Team Excellence Award Winners
The year listed designates the award presentation year, typically held during Founder's Day in February, awards are bestowed for work completed the previous fiscal year.
2024
Winner: Pass It On – Front Yard Free Cycle
Honorable Mentions: Improve Prospective Student Experience in My, Redbird Buzz
2023
Winner: Title IX Apparel Line and Awareness Project
Mennonite College of Nursing P.R.O.U.D., Illinois State University Flagship TikTok
2022
Winner: ISU Information Technology Community
Honorable Mentions: Milner Library CARLI Counts, Voter Engagement Coalition
2021
Winner: Student Affairs IT
Honorable Mentions: Facilitates Management – The Stores Team, Introduction to Technology at Illinois State Orientation
2020
Winner: Creative Con
Honorable Mentions: International Studies Program, Professional Development Schools Program
2019
Winner: Fix It Friday
Honorable Mentions: Charles Morris STEM Social Team, What it Means to be a Redbird
2018
Winner: Campus Climate Task Force
Honorable Mentions: Graduate Student Professional Development Series Team, Study Abroad Team
2017
Winner: Food Recovery Network Program team
2016
Winner: Giving Tuesday
Honorable Mentions: Redbird Scholar, Social Media Analytics Command Center (SMACC)
2015
Winner: Fresh FAVS
Honorable Mentions: Human Library Committee, Safety Ambassadors Foodservice Excellence
2014
Winner: Stories.IllinoisState.edu
Honorable Mentions: America's Promise Team Project, General Education Task Force
2013
Winner: Cardinal Court Redevelopment Team
Honorable Mentions: Family Science Day, SMART Clinic
2012
Winner: The NCAA Certification Team
Honorable Mentions: iPeople Implementation Team, Good To Go Team
2011
Winner: The Master Plan Team
Honorable Mentions: CeMaST Stage Stop Organization Team, WGLT Pledge Drive Marketing Team
2010
Winner: Transformers
Honorable Mentions: Gladly We Give, On Common Grounds: Dialogues on Diversity and Social Justice
2009
Winner: Success 101
Honorable Mentions: Reggie Ride, Washington D.C. Civic Engagement Study Tour
2008
Winner: 150th Anniversary Implementation Team
Honorable Mentions: Student Fitness and Kinesiology/Recreation Committee, Fear the Bird/Bird Shirt Committee
2007
Winner: "It’s Not Just a Major, It’s a Mission” One-Day Workshop
Honorable Mentions: Student Research Symposia (Spring 2006) (Undergraduate and Graduate), Developing the Student Foundation
2006
Winner: ISU Solar Car Team
Honorable Mentions: Welcome2ISU, JumpStart Program
2005
Winner: Service and Leadership Lifestyle Floor
Honorable Mentions: iCampus/TouchNet/Redbird Card Deposit, Virus Response Planning Committee
2004
Winner: Women’s Mentoring Network
Honorable Mentions: New Integrated Marketing Program for Office of Admissions, Schroeder Hall Occupant Relocation Project
2003
Winner: Campaign Kickoff Team
Honorable Mentions: Tunnel of Oppression Project, iCampus Project
2002
Winner: Campus Mast Plan Steering Team
Honorable Mentions: Student Service and Referral Center’s Extended Client Services Hours, Utilities Services Fairchild/Metcalf Air-Conditioning Team
2001
Winner: Online Admissions Application Team
Honorable Mentions: Homecoming 2000 Team, Web Team
2000
Winner: Women and Employment: Linking Local and Global Team
Honorable Mentions: Inauguration Team, Alcohol Programming Initiative Team
1999
Winner: Foundation Computing Certification Program
Honorable Mentions: E-Mail Express Team, Old Main Bell Restoration Team
1998
Winner: Confirmation of Attendance Team
Honorable Mentions: Border Subjects Team, Educational Lecture Series Team
1997
Winner: Renovation of General Classrooms
Honorable Mentions: Watterson Commons Dining Center, Drug and Violence Prevention Grant
1996
Winner: Nite Ride Team
Honorable Mentions: Debit Card Team, Passages-New Student Orientation