3.22 Employee Awards and Recognitions

Policy Tracking	Date
Approved	July 10, 2023
Revised	May 22, 2023
Reviewed	May 22, 2023

Employee Service Recognition: Full-time employees are recognized for their full-time tenure at Blue Ridge Community College. Service awards are usually given annually in December for those employees achieving tenure of the following increments: 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, 30 years, 35 years and 40 years. It is not necessary that tenure be continuous. Additionally, recognition awards are given to full-time employees who retire with at least five years of service at Blue Ridge Community College.
The College, through funds from the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, provides the following annual awards for faculty and staff:
1. Dr. David W. Sink, Jr., Community Service Award: This award may be given annually in recognition of a Blue Ridge Community College employee (full- time or part-time) who meets the criterion of exceptional service to the community unrelated to their College responsibilities. Nominations are reviewed by a selection committee in conjunction with the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. A cash award is given to the recipient.
2. Dr. Eliza B. Graue Extra Mile Award: One Blue Ridge Community College instructional employee may be recognized annually for making a special effort to help his/her students achieve their goals. The Award is given to a full-time or part-time faculty member (curriculum or continuing education) who has demonstrated outstanding service to students. Nominations are reviewed by a selection committee in conjunction with the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. A cash award is given to the recipient.
3. Dr. and Mrs. William D. Killian Outstanding Teacher Award: Each year, one full-time Blue Ridge Community College faculty member may be recognized for excellence in teaching. This award was established and endowed by former Blue Ridge Community College President Killian and his wife Helen, through Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. Some of the selection criteria include: the ability to lead and motivate students; the ability to understand, relate to, listen to and interact with students; displaying evidence of support for the community college educational mission; displaying innovation in teaching; and showing leadership in instruction among colleagues and peer recognition of excellence in teaching. Nominations must be submitted by College faculty and are reviewed by a committee selected by the Faculty Senate. Selection is by ballot. A cash award is given to the recipient. The recipient will represent the College in the statewide competition.
4. Dr. Molly A. Parkhill Staff Person of the Year Award: One Blue Ridge Community College full-time non-instructional employee may be recognized annually for individual achievement and exceptional contributions to the College. Criteria for the award shall parallel that of the NCCCS Staff Person of the Year Award including personal and professional development, service to the College, leadership, initiative, and exceptional performance. The recipient shall be selected by a committee appointed by the College president and will represent the College in the statewide competition. A cash award is given to the recipient.
5. Wellness Employee of the Year Award: The College Wellness Committee will select one faculty or staff member for this award who has received the most wellness points throughout the previous calendar year. Wellness points are awarded to employees through participation in college and/or community wellness activities/events and use of college weight room. All wellness activities/events must be approved by the Wellness Committee. A cash award may accompany the Wellness Award.
6. Employee of the Month Award:
  1. Purpose
    Blue Ridge Community College appreciates the efforts of its employees to achieve goals and to fulfill its mission, vision and values. Outstanding employees deserve to be recognized both as a reward for exceptional performance and as a model to other employees.
  2. Eligibility
    All full time employees are eligible to participate in the employee of the month program. An employee may be designated as employee of the month only once during a calendar year.
  3. Procedures
    The employee of the month program recognizes one employee each month. Nominations for the award (including self-nominations) may be submitted by any employee using the nomination form available from Human Resources (HR). Nominations are based on exceptional job performance, promoting a pleasant working environment, dependability, and/or innovation during the calendar month for which the award is to be given.
    Completed nomination forms may be submitted to HR between the 1st and 20th of each month for the next month’s award. Before the end of each month, the employee of the month selection committee, including both faculty and non-faculty selected annually by HR, will meet to review the nominations and to select the employee of the month. The selection will be announced on the first day of the next month.
    The selected employee of the month will be recognized on the College’s intranet and other media, and will receive use of a reserved parking space for one month. Additionally, the selected employee will have their name added to a roster for recognition in the lobby of the Patton Building.
7. Laura B. Leatherwood Leadership Award: One full-time faculty or staff member may be recognized annually for: extraordinary service and initiatives; serving as a role model; demonstrating a high level of professionalism; inspiring collaboration and creativity in others; demonstrating innovating/transformative leadership skills; and forming positive relationships with all to design, deliver and drive engagement. The recipient shall be selected by a Committee appointed by the President. A cash award is given to the recipient.
All faculty and staff awards are dependent on the availability of funds. The Director of Human Resources will verify that each nominee is in good standing with the College, and the President will make the final decision on all awards.