University Awards

President's Awards for Employee Excellence

(formerly the Employee Excellence Awards) Designed to recognize the excellence of our staff in all roles, through categories that reflect the cultural elements that make working at Cornell so special. Awardees are announced at a celebration luncheon attended by Cornell’s president, vice president and chief human resources officer, university senior leadership, nominees, their guests, and supervisors. Click here for more information, including nomination criteria and a list of past recipients.

Awarded to recognize a commitment to women’s issues and improvement of the climate for women at Cornell. The awards are named for Constance Cook, Cornell’s first woman vice president, and Alice Cook (no relation to Constance), one of the first women faculty members at the ILR School. Both were early advocates for women at Cornell.

The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) accepts nominations for the annual awards for excellence in the teaching, advising, and mentoring of graduate and professional students at Cornell.

Awarded to Cornell staff members who consistently demonstrate a high degree of excellence in the performance of their duties and who prove their willingness to extend themselves to help others and go above and beyond the normal expectations of their job responsibilities. The award is the longest running and most prestigious university-wide peer-nominated award.

(formerly the Opperman Award for Staff Advocacy)The Award for Staff Integrity and Inclusion will be given up to two times a calendar year by the Employee Assembly to an employee who consistently demonstrates their commitment to encouraging and supporting staff integrity and inclusion. Award recipients will be recognized at an EA recognition event and will receive a monetary award funded through the Office of the President.

Do you know a coworker who always brings a reusable mug to every event? Piloted a waste reduction program? Included climate change in an educational event? Any faculty or staff member, at any level, can be recognized as a champion for creating a more sustainable campus and culture with actions big and small. This program is supported by the Campus Sustainability Office.