Dear ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ community,
Happy New Year! I am delighted to share with you a new and significant way for our staff to be recognized through the —a historic, systemwide initiative celebrating the extraordinary contributions of CSU staff. What a wonderful way to start a new year.
This CSU System and CSU Board-level recognition program highlights the innovation, equity-centered leadership, and transformative impact of staff across all 22 CSU campuses. We are proud to participate in this inaugural year and to highlight the vital role staff play in advancing ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥’s mission.
The inaugural award recipients will be honored at the May 2026 CSU Board of Trustees meeting, providing a powerful, systemwide moment to celebrate staff excellence and leadership.
Award Overview
As outlined on the CSU nomination site, the program includes:
- Three individual awards of $25,000 each.
- One team award of $25,000, shared among up to five team members.
Award Categories
- Affordability Advocate and Driver of Transformative Change
Honors an individual whose efforts have a profound impact on making a CSU education affordable and accessible.
- Fostering an Inclusive and Equitable Learning Environment
Honors an individual dedicated to student success while promoting equity and inclusion within the university community.
- First Generation Belonging and Community
Honors an individual who excels in fostering a sense of belonging and building a supportive campus community for first-generation students.
- Trailblazing Team
Honors a team of no more than five individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in service of students and the CSU mission.
Please consider nominating a colleague or team keeping the following in mind:
- This first year needs to move quickly so awards can be announced at the May 2026 Board meeting (the donors’ requirement).
- Nominations are due to the campus committee on February 9th.
- Nominations should include accomplishments completed during the 2025 calendar year.
- Accomplishments should closely align with award criteria and categories.
Nomination Criteria and Timeline
- Eligible nominees must be current CSU staff employees in good standing, with demonstrated qualifying accomplishments occurring after January 1, 2025, and exhibit qualities aligned with the award criteria: innovation, equity-driven leadership and commitment to student success.
- Current staff includes represented employees (excluding CFA - Unit 3), confidential employees, and MPP I and II.
- Submissions for each nominee should include feedback or evidence of impact and must be limited to five (5) single spaced pages, with specific examples examples of nominee’s individuality and excellence.
All nominations must be submitted no later than February 9, 2026 using the .
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Selection Committee
The Selection Committee will be announced soon and will review and evaluate all nominations, making a recommendation to President Sandeen. All nominations selected for consideration must be submitted to the Chancellor’s Office by February 23. The committee will be chaired by a representative from Human Resources and will include:
- One representative from Staff groups
- One representative from the Academic Senate
- One representative from each Vice President area
Staff nominees may not serve on the Selection Committee. If a conflict of interest arises, Human Resources will contact the committee member. The composition of the Selection Committee will be reviewed annually.
In closing, let us take a moment to reflect on the generosity of Trustee Wenda Fong and her partner, Mr. Daniel Fetterly. I am personally grateful for their recognition of the key role staff play at our universities, work that often occurs without the recognition it deserves.
Please begin your nomination today! I am looking forward to sending forward our nominees from among our many outstanding staff members.
With best wishes and many thanks,
Cathy Sandeen
President
January 21, 2026