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UW Tacoma Recognition
Grit City Great
New in 2026!
Nominate a UWT staff member anytime to be considered for the quarterly Grit City Great recognition award. This award celebrates those staff who make a meaningful impact on our campus in big ways and small. Learn more about this new process and submit a nomination today.
Distinguished Service Award
In partnership with the Chancellor's Office, this award is granted annually to two UWT staff members. Award recipients receive professional development funds from the Chancellor's Office. Learn more about nomination criteria and the selection process below.
UW Awards of Excellence
For more than 50 years, the UW’s Awards of Excellence have celebrated outstanding faculty, staff, students and alumni whose achievements exemplify the University’s mission. Some staff awards are listed below. For the full list and to make a nomination, visit the Awards of Excellence webpage.
Distinguished Staff Award
Honors
Staff and teams primarily composed of staff that exemplify excellence.
Who can nominate
Faculty, staff and students
Highlights
Nominees receive a congratulatory letter and copy of their nomination and five nominees are selected for a $5,000 award.
Thorud Leadership Award
Honors
Extraordinary faculty and staff leaders at the UW.
Who can nominate
Faculty and staff
Highlights
Nominees receive a congratulatory letter and copy of their nomination; two nominees are selected for a $2,500 award.
Outstanding Public Service Award
Honors
A faculty member, academic appointee or staff member who has made exemplary contributions to the common good through public service.
Who can nominate
Faculty and staff
Highlights
The recipient will receive a $5,000 award.
Nomination Process and Timeline
Nominations are always open and accepted on a rolling basis, added to an overall pool of nominees.
The selection committee will meet no later than the second week of the quarter to make a selection and announcement by the end of the fourth week of the quarter.
The selected staff member will receive a congratulatory certificate and copy of their nomination as well as recognition across campus.
Please note: As this is a new process, information here, including timing, may change as we learn and grow. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Who Is Eligible
All UW Tacoma staff including permanent, professional, classified, librarian, full-time, and part-time, are eligible for the award. UTemp staff, student employees, current members of UWTSA leadership and anyone serving on the selection committee are not eligible for the award. Staff may receive this award multiple times, but not within a single academic year (AUT-SUM).
Nomination Criteria
Consider nominating based on the following criteria:
- Teamwork and Collaboration: This person works well with their peers, supports and encourages others, and shares knowledge to help teammates succeed
- Positive Attitude and Professionalism: This person is approachable and friendly and brings positivity into the workplace
- Going Above and Beyond: This person is willing to take on extra tasks, shows initiative and may even help solve problems beyond their role
- Positive Impact on Campus Community: This person works to improve student experience or staff workflow, they make a notable difference in their department or campus, and they work to contribute to the UW Tacoma mission
- Reliability and Consistency: This person meets deadlines and commitments and can be counted on by their peers
- Innovation and Creativity: This person finds solutions to challenges, suggests improvements, and finds new ways of doing things
Each year, in partnership with the Chancellor's Office, the Staff Association recognizes two staff members for their outstanding contributions to the campus with the UW Tacoma Distinguished Service Award. Each recipient receives a $1,000 professional development scholarship. The awards are presented as part of the annual campus-wide Spring Celebration.
Nomination Process
Any UW Tacoma staff, faculty or student can nominate. Each nominator may only nominate one person per year.
Nominations for the 2025-26 year will open spring quarter.
Who Is Eligible
All UW Tacoma staff including permanent, professional, classified, librarian, full-time, and part-time, are eligible for the award. Temporary staff, student employees, previous award recipients and anyone who serves on the award selection committee is ineligible to receive the award.
Nomination Criteria
Nominations are judged based on the following:
- Excellence in job performance
- Substantially exceeded in quality or quantity the performance expected for the position or assignment
- Inspirational service to the UW Tacoma community
- Significant contribution to the UW Tacoma mission
- Exceptional contribution to the off-campus community, which may bring credit to UW Tacoma
- Original and innovative resolution of a critical issue
The award is designed to recognize outstanding staff members and their work - which may cross over multiple years. The nomination may be for a single year or project that a staff member worked on, or for many years of service.
Award Recipients
| Year | Recipient | Department/Unit* |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | BethAnn Hoover | Academic Success Programs |
| Sean Schmidt | Student Affairs | |
| 2024 | Megan Kitagawa | Marketing & Communications |
| Kara Peters | Library | |
| 2023 | Stephon Harris | New Student & Family Programs |
| Eric Wilson-Edge | Marketing & Communications | |
| 2022 | Chan Mom | Information Technology |
| Saralyn Smith | Professional Development Center | |
| 2021 | Tessa Coleman | Facilities Services |
| Nedralani Mailo | Center for Equity & Inclusion | |
| 2020 | Michelle Miller | School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences |
| Susan Wagshul-Golden | Campus Safety & Security | |
| 2019 | Ana Marie Alameda | Office of the Registrar |
| Danelle Pettersen | Human Resources | |
| 2018 | Josh Carper | Media Services |
| Jeff Fitzgerald | Teaching & Learning Center | |
| 2017 | Donna Braboy | School of Education |
| Andrea Coker-Anderson | Registrar | |
| 2016 | Anna Salyer | Library |
| Trish Zander | Milgard School of Business | |
| 2015 | Amanda (Bruner) Figueroa | Student Transition Programs |
| Sergio Carrillo | Facilities Services | |
| 2014 | Jo Enscoe | Diversity Resource Center |
| Darcy Janzen | Academic Technologies | |
| 2013 | Jessica Asplund | Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences |
| Anna (Mertz) Chatman | Student Affairs | |
| 2012 | Linda Spence-Noyer | Enrollment Services |
| Angela Zurcher | Administrative Services | |
| 2011 | Tim Bostelle | Library |
| Beth Jeffrey | Institute of Technology | |
| 2010 | Jennifer Burley | Administrative Services |
| Laura Delval | Campus Safety & Security | |
| 2009 | Bridget Mason | Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences |
| Keiji Oka | Computer Services | |
| 2008 | Naarah McDonald | Milgard School of Business |
| Lia Wetzstein | Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences | |
| 2007 | Karin Dalesky | Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences |
| Carolyn Maxson | Teaching & Learning Center | |
| 2006 | Bob Hardie | Student Affairs |
| Laurie McKay | Nursing | |
| 2005 | Kim Davenport | Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences |
| Jessica Roshan | Institute of Technology | |
| 2004 | Tony Myers | Enrollment Services |
| Cathy Thompson | Enrollment Services | |
| 2003 | Lisa Rankin | Enrollment Services |
| Julia Smith | Urban Studies | |
| 2002 | Nan West | Nursing |
| Robert Whitfield | Campus Safety & Security | |
| 2001 | Brian Anderson | Public Relations & Communications |
| Bronwyn Pughe | Teaching & Learning Center | |
| 2000 | Wanda Curtis | Enrollment Services |
| Joe Kapler | Media Services | |
| 1999 | Beckie Etheridge | Media Services |
| Karen Reed | Development | |
| 1998 | Sara Contreras | Education |
| Suzanne Klinger | Library | |
| 1997 | Linda Gilbert | Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences |
| Dannah Madden | Nursing |
*Department or unit the person was working for at the time they received the award.
