Distinguished Administrator Award

The annual NYU Distinguished Administrator Award (DAA) recognizes administrators who have differentiated themselves through outstanding administrative and professional performance and inclusive excellence that supports NYU's strategic initiatives and contributes to the attainment of University goals. The DAA recognizes excellence in administration, teamwork, inclusion, commitment to diversity, integrity, and service.

Award recipients receive a monetary gift on behalf of the University in recognition of their service and are typically honored with a celebration hosted by NYU’s Executive Vice President.

*Although clerical and technical staff are not eligible to be nominated for the Distinguished Administrator Award, you have the opportunity to nominate a clerical or technical employee for the Give-A-Violet Award and the upcoming Arts and Science Excellence Award.

To Submit a Nomination

Individual nominations must be submitted through the University's nomination portal. Please refer to the Distinguished Administrator Award page for further submission instructions and to access the nomination portal (VPN is required off-campus). The nomination period is now closed.

Arts & Science Administrators will review the most compelling nominations and forward recommendations to Dean Antonio Merlo. Dean Merlo will then make the final selection(s) for submission to the all-University committee.

What makes a winning administrator?

Criteria for Nominees:

All administrative/professional employees (formerly code 100/110) are eligible to be nominated for this award. Faculty, students, presidents, deans, and others with significant University-wide responsibilities are not eligible.

Nominees must also have demonstrated outstanding performance in one or more of the following areas:

• Operational Excellence – Significant changes, modifications, or approaches that enhance work productivity, efficiency, and quality  that are impactful for the entire community.

• Exceptional Service – Ensuring each interaction with internal and external customers is positive and effective.

• Impact – Accomplishments that have a positive impact on the entire department, school, or unit or across parts of the University.

• Communication – Building interactions and partnerships that produce results and leave others feeling welcomed, respected, and valued, regardless of cultural, ethnic, racial, class, gender, sexual orientation, language, and other human differences.

• Integrity – Demonstrating honesty and adherence to the highest standards of moral and ethical values and principles through personal and professional behavior.

• Diversity and Inclusion – Fostering commitment to values of diversity in performance of responsibilities, and in interactions with members of the NYU community, contributing to raising awareness and consciousness about inclusion within the context of the University’s vision, and making outstanding efforts to promote an environment free from bias and discrimination.

• Leadership – Developing and inspiring others to achieve extraordinary results.

• Innovation – Developing an innovative process or procedure that directly impacts the University community in a positive manner.

• Voluntary Community Service – Influences and enhances the NYU and/or local New York community.

Guidelines for submissions

When submitting nominees, departments should follow the below guidelines to ensure a successful submission.

1. Although a university-wide e-mail will be sent to all NYU community members, department Chairs and/or lead administrators should also reach out to faculty, employees, and students separately regarding nominating an administrator from their department.

2. To complete your nomination, your supporting statements are required for each of the nine (9) criteria above. You can save your nomination in progress, and return to it later by using the SAVE FOR LATER button at the bottom of the form.

   •  The committee is focused on the quality of the work of your nominee(s). The nomination form should provide specific examples that highlight how your nominee has demonstrated commitment and outstanding performance that has positively impacted not only Arts and Science, but the larger NYU community, as well.
     
   • Indicate how your nominee(s) actions/work have impacted the NYU community or how their innovation can be replicated university wide.

3. You can nominate more than one administrator for the DAA. You must submit a separate nomination form for each individual you are nominating.

Previous Arts and Science DAA Winners

• Stephanie Santiago, Liberal Studies - 2021-2022 Recipient
  
• D Simmons Jendayi, Liberal Studies - 2020-2021 Recipient
• Patti Davis, Associate Director, Academic Enhancement, College of Arts and Science - 2019-2020 Recipient 
• Leah Guarino-Ramirez, Associate Director, Advising and Student Affairs, Liberal Studies - 2019-2020 Recipient
• Candace Sumner-Robinson, Liberal Studies - 2018-2019 Recipient
  
• Alexis Cruikshank, Former Director of Administration, Biology Department - 2011-2012 Recipient
• Amala Ankolekar-Hinge, Director of Administration, Center for Neural Science - 2010-2011 Recipient
  
• Michael Summers, Former Director of Administration, Morse Academic Plan (now College Core Curriculum) - 2007-2008 Recipient
  
• Diana Barnes, Former Director of Administration, Politics Department - 2005-2006 Recipient
  
• Melissa Hammerle, Former Program Administrator, Creative Writing Program - 2002-2003 Recipient
  
• Alyssa O. Hepburn, Former Program Administrator, American Studies Program - 2001-2002 Recipient
  
• John DeSantis, Senior Director of Technical Services - 1998-1999 Recipient
  
• Allen Ellenzweig, Former Administrative Assistant, French Department - 1997-1998 Recipient
  

If you have any questions, please contact Arts and Science Human Resource at fas.hr@nyu.edu or (212) 998-8011.