About the Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Program

On June 23, 2022, Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway endorsed the recommendations of the Future of Work Task Force, which called for the establishment of a universitywide Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition program. The goal of the recognition program is to strengthen institutional pride and build on the ideal of a beloved community where employees are engaged, productive, valued, and rewarded for their contributions.

To this end, the Presidential Employee Excellence Committee was charged with two primary areas of focus:

• Determine ways to enhance workplace culture through strategic investments in recognition opportunities.
• Establish an employee excellence program that celebrates teamwork and collaboration across departments and recognizes employees who engage in activities aligned with the value propositions emphasized by President Holloway: Committed to access and academic excellence, building a beloved community, and serving the common good.

In many ways, the college campus represents a microcosm of civil society – one in which integrity is the norm, differences are embraced, and members treat each other with mutual respect. It is hoped that the Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition program will serve as a vehicle for celebrating those who embody such qualities and who serve as exemplars for the Rutgers community.

Presidential Employee Excellence Committee

To achieve the goals articulated by President Holloway in a collaborative and inclusive manner, the Presidential Employee Excellence Committee was tasked with identifying recognition categories and eligibility criteria, establishing tools for online submissions, determining the submission review process and non-monetary incentives for recognition, developing a timeline and communications strategy, and hosting the first annual event.

The committee is co-chaired by Jon Oliver, Office of the Chancellor–New Brunswick, and Elizabeth Matto, Eagleton Institute of Politics, and supported by Melissa Marrero, University Human Resources. Committee members come from across Rutgers University and include:

• Ghislaine Darden, Institutional Planning and Operations
• Ralph Gigliotti, Center for Organizational Leadership
• Roxanne Huertas, University Human Resources
• Adam Kustka, School of Arts and Sciences–Newark
• Kim Manning, University Communications and Marketing
• Sam Rabinowitz, School of Business–Camden
• Mark Robson, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
• Karen Shapiro, School of Health Professions
• Nayland Smith, Office of the Chancellor–New Brunswick
• Kyle D. Warren, School of Nursing
• Carolyne J. White, School of Arts and Sciences–Newark, Urban Education

Read the committee’s full proposal [PDF].