Staff Awards Process
Staff Awards Process
Honoring Exceptional Service at ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø
Each year, the Staff Recognition and Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding professional contributions and exceptional service of Loyola’s staff. These awards offer public recognition for the dedication, excellence, and impact staff members have across our University community
We are proud to present 6 distinguished awards
Kay Egan, Person for Others Award
This award recognizes a staff member with three years or more of University service who has made a significant positive impact within their department during their time at Loyola, and has worked to foster the mission of the University. The award recognizes an exemplary colleague, who is universally recognized as a resource and co-worker who provides the highest quality of service to the Loyola community (faculty, staff, students & alumni). This award may only be given to a staff member once during their time at the institution.
Megs Langdon, Person for Community Award
This award recognizes a staff member with at least 1 year or more University service who has consistently made a significant positive impact beyond Loyola, and within the person's larger community. The award recognizes an exemplary colleague who is universally recognized for his or her community service, including but not limited to: leadership, commitment to social justice, and ability to organize community members. This award may only be given to a staff member once during their time at the institution.
Staff Member of the Year Award
This award recognizes a staff member who has been with the university for at least 1 year, and has made a significant positive impact within their Department and across the University throughout the previous year. This individual has fostered the mission of the University, demonstrated ambassadorship, exceptional leadership, and superior service to the Loyola community (faculty, staff, students & alumni).
Over the past year, this individual has demonstrated his or her willingness to fulfill job-related responsibilities in light of the Jesuit ideals and has made a conscious effort at improving his or her area, and the University at large. Staff are ineligible to be nominated for this award if they have been awarded Staff Member of the Year within the last 2 years.
Student Service, Person for Students Award
This award recognizes a staff member who has made an ongoing commitment in providing expert service to our students. The award recognizes an exemplary colleague who has demonstrated initiative and creativity, exceptional individual or team contributions, and continuous improvement in student service. This award may only be given to a staff member once during their time at the institution.
Team Spirit Award
This award recognizes a department/group/team of two (2) or more individuals which has made a significant contribution to their department or the university through a new project or initiative that moves the Jesuit mission forward, while maintaining a harmonious work environment internally and interdepartmentally, demonstrating a commitment to excellent customer assistance. All members involved should be included in the nomination form, and a department/group/team is ineligible for the Team Spirit award if they have won in the past 2 years.
Rising Star, New Employee Award
This award recognizes a staff member in their first two years of University service who has made a unique departmental contribution embracing the Loyola spirit and has demonstrated examples of high-quality service, and a track record of building interdepartmental relationships that lead to continuous improvement. This award may only be given to a staff member once during their time at the institution.
Purpose
University Staff Council's Staff Recognition and Excellence Awards recognize the extraordinary professional contributions and quality service of our University staff (non-exempt and exempt) and their integral role in advancing ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø's mission and fulfilling Loyola's promise in preparing people to lead extraordinary lives.
Eligibility
All regular staff members, full-time and part-time (20+ hours per week) are eligible, provided they are on non-probationary status and in good standing with his/her respective department and University at the time of nomination. Previous award recipients are ineligible. Awards will be selected by elected University Staff Council members. To avoid possible conflicts of interest, elected University Staff Council members are not eligible to nominate or be nominated during their terms in office.
Criteria
Nominees must have consistently performed in an exemplary manner, exceeded the expectations of their position, and demonstrated commitment to the mission of the University and Loyola's values. Nominees should also embody the following attributes
- Integrity, trust, and ethics
- Ambassadorship
- Mutual respect and collaboration
- Superior service 
- Professionalism
- Pride in work and accountability
Nominations
The Loyola community (staff, students, faculty, and administrators) is invited to participate in nominations. All nominations should include specific and current examples of the staff member's achievements and contributions that reflect the principle criteria and attributes mentioned above. To avoid possible conflicts of interest, elected University Staff Council members are not eligible to nominate or be nominated during their terms in office.
2025 Past Recipients
Paulina Dzieza, MLS
Staff Member of the Year
Ann Hillman (MDiv '20, MA '15)
Kay Egan, Person for Others Award
Bizzy Stephenson, MEd
Megs Langdon, Person for Community Award
Kevin Erickson
Student Service, Person for Students Award
HSC Wellness Center Team
Team Spirit Award
Karla Nazario (MSW '23, BS '21)
Rising Star, New Employees Award
2024 Past Recipients
Nick Jones, ITS
Staff Member of the Year
Joe Joseph; Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conflict Resolution
Kay Egan, Person for Others Award
Lance Boehm, Campus Recreation
Student Service, Person for Students Award
Tiffaney Young, School of Social Work
Rising Star, New Employee Award
Campus Recreation
Team Spirit Award
2023 Past Recipients
Matt Gallagher, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing
Staff Member of the Year
Melissa Bagdon, Residence Life
Kay Egan, Person for Others Award
Alex Pirila, Office of Military and Veteran Student Services
Megs Langdon, Person for Community Award
Robbin Hiller, Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Healthcare Leadership ​
Student Service, Person for Students Award
Samantha Maher Sheahan, Office of the Dean of Students
Rising Star, New Employee Award
Sponsored Program Accounting
Team Spirit Award
2021 Past Recipients
Dawn Collins, Division of Student Development
Staff Member of the Year
Linda Wejs, Registration and Records
Kay Egan, Person for Others Award
Hannah Sternig, Community Service & Action
Megs Langdon, Person for Community Award
John Buethe, Arrupe College
Student Service, Person for Students Award
Keith Kramer, Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health
Rising Star, New Employee Award
The Wellness Center
Team Spirit Award