The annual NYU Distinguished Administrator Award (DAA) provides a way to recognize administrators who have differentiated themselves through outstanding administrative and professional performance and inclusive excellence that helps NYU meet its strategic initiatives and contribute to the attainment of University goals. In addition, award recipients receive a monetary gift on behalf of the University in recognition of their service.

*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.

Completing your DAA nomination

Please take the time to review the full application instructions and criteria for writing a complete and compelling nomination.  

Nominations are no longer being accepted for the 2019-2020 Distinguished Administrator Award.

The Arts & Science DAA Committee 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.

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

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
  
• 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 – Demonstrating commitment to values of diversity in performance of responsibilities and in interactions with members of the NYU community, and demonstrating 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
  
• Inclusion – Contributing to raising awareness and consciousness about inclusion within the context of the University’s vision
  
• 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. Departments should collaborate and coordinate with their community members to submit a quality packet for their nominee(s). A robust and quality packet will include at least a letter of recommendation from the department chair and letters of recommendation from current students, current faculty, current staff, and/or alumni. Additional written documents supporting a nomination are also welcome (i.e. strategic plans or initiatives that have been implemented, impact assessments, etc.)
   
3. Partner with your department to compile a broad range of examples that show how your nominee(s) have made a positive impact. Solicit recommendation(s) from your Dean, Chair, staff, students, faculty, alumni, and the greater NYU community.
   
4. The committee is focused on the quality of the work of your nominee(s) and the quality of your supporting documents. The nomination form and recommendation letters should provide specific examples that highlight how your nominee has demonstrated commitment and outstanding performance that has positively impacted not only your department and FAS, but the larger NYU community, as well.
   
5. Indicate how your nominee(s) actions/work have impacted the NYU community or how their innovation can be replicated university wide.

Previous Arts and Science DAA Winners

• 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
  

You may refer to the NYU Distinguished Administrator Award website for additional information.