SDSC Value Awards

These awards are one of many ways we can reward our staff and leaders for aligning with and exemplifying the values of SDSC. These awards complement formal systems, such as the STAR Award program, merit awards, and the less formal methods, e.g. taking employees to lunch and immediate verbal praise.

For STAR Awards, contact Daniel Hazlett.

Community Building Award

Criteria: Any activities that bring people together in a positive way, at SDSC or in the broader community.

Recognition method: Certificate and $50 gift card.

Innovation Award

Criteria: Scientific or technical innovation, or creativity in solving problems and pain points for SDSC.

Recognition method: Certificate and $75 gift card.

Leadership Award

Criteria: Any SDSC leader that exemplifies SDSC’s leadership values of collaboration, promoting flexibility, resolving issues with compassion, bringing out the best in others, using one’s moral compass to make decisions, being a ‘servant leader’, showing positive ambition, exemplifying self-awareness, being a champion for others, being a steward of trust, etc.

Recognition method: Certificate and the leader’s name will be added to our “Super Leaders” public poster.

Leveling Up Award

Criteria: A leader and their employee for the promotion or ‘leveling up’ of the employee. This award recognizes the leader for seeing the potential of their employee and supporting them in their growth. It also recognizes the employee for their ambition to better themselves and doing the work it takes to grow to the next level.

Recognition method: Certificate and a $50 gift card (each).

Mentorship Award

Criteria: Team member who exemplifies the spirit of mentorship through research, staff, and/or education.

Recognition method: Certificate and $75 gift card

Saved the Day Award

Criteria: Contributions of a single SDSC employee that saved SDSC from disaster or serious impacts. To confirm your nomination meets the criteria ask: What would have happened if this person did not pull together to create a solution? Would they be coached for not meeting job expectations? Or did they really avert a disaster / act in a way that exceeded expectations?

Recognition method: Certificate and $75 gift card.

Team Award

Criteria: Team Awards are given for overall outstanding contributions. To confirm your nomination meets the criteria ask: What would have happened if this team did not pull together to create solution? Would they be coached for not meeting job expectations? Or did they really avert a disaster / act in a way that exceeded expectations? Teams can be project-based or part of the same unit.

Recognition method: $500 towards a group event, e.g., pizza, dessert party, escape room.