Recognition
Our team provides recognition opportunities for our UNCW employees. We celebrate employees at our annual NC State Service Award banquet. We recognize outstanding accomplishments by our staff during the Staff Awards for Excellence reception. We also host recognition socials throughout the year to give our employees time to relax and socialize. Each year, we hold an ice cream social for the official State of NC Employee Appreciation Day. Employees can recognize their colleagues through the Soaring Seahawks program.
Staff Service Awards
Congratulations to the following employees who have reached their One Year of Service at UNCW:
- Brenda Bowden, Administrative Specialist, School of Nursing
- Christina Chapman, Career Consultant, Career Center
- Taylor Conklin, Research Specialist, Center for Marine Science
- Emma Edwards, Police Officer I, University Police
- Heather Foster, Assistant Director of Administration & Resource Management, TLLS Operations
- Katherine Gannon, Coastal Engineering Lab Research Technician, Physics Physical Oceanography
- Caleigh Hamby, Administrative Associate, Congdon School of Supply Chain
- Lila Hicks, DCVPA Exceptional Children Teacher, DC Virgo Prep Academy
- John Holton, Assistant Coach, Softball Athletics
- Timothy Johnson, Financial Report Developer, Budgets
- Melissa Marriott, Interior Designer, Planning and Design
- Scout Pennington, Parking Enforcement Officer, Auxiliary Services
- Rocky Riviella, Warranty Program Manager, Facilities Administration
- Raymond Todjihounde, Linux Systems Administrator, Infrastructure Operations Svcs
- David Van Essendelft, General Maintenance Technician, Maintenance
- Isaiah Villarreal, Associate Director, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Leadership and Engagement
- Lexa Wallace, Police Officer III, University Police
Staff Service Awards
In recognition of employee tenure and service, this invitation-only event is scheduled for
October 27, 2026, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Burney Center
The success of State government in providing services to meet the needs of North Carolina and its citizens is dependent on the efforts of State employees like you! To express its appreciation to valued employees, the State sponsors the annual Staff Service Awards to recognize SHRA and EHRA (non-faculty/non-SAAO) employees' total state service in increments of five years through retirement.
Excellence in Service, North Carolina’s employee service awards program, celebrates length-of-service milestones of employee service to state government. The program is a partnership between the Office of State Human Resources; Correction Enterprises in the Department of Public Safety; and the Museum of History in the Department of Cultural Resources.
The Service Awards program:
- Offers products made primarily in North Carolina or, at a minimum, made in the USA;
- Celebrates North Carolina’s heritage, culture, symbols and craftsmen;
- Offers unique products that, for the most part, cannot be purchased; and
- Creates efficiencies by operating the program within state government.
The Excellence in Service recognizes employees when they achieve career status and again at five years, ten years, and thereafter in five-year increments. The service awards, themselves, are unique items crafted especially for the Employee Service Awards program. Most of the items are made by inmates in the Department of Public Safety through Correction Enterprises, while others are handmade by North Carolina artisans.
When Will I Be Recognized?
When you are eligible for a Staff Service Award, you will receive instructions to select the award of your choice, as well as an invitation to the annual Staff Service Awards Luncheon. Service Award recipients are determined within the fiscal calendar (July 1 to June 30 of each year). For example, if you were hired in September of 2020, you will be invited to the 2026 Staff Service Awards Luncheon.
Soaring Seahawk
We see examples of the exceptional service and dedication to excellence demonstrated by our employees every day. Soaring Seahawk is a way to recognize those employees who have taken their UNCW service to the next level.
What Is a Soaring Seahawk?
A "Soaring Seahawk" is a personalized message of appreciation shared with a UNCW employee (or group of employees) who has gone above and beyond in their support of the university. Soaring Seahawk recipients receive an email with a copy of the nomination message, a special thank you from the HR team, and a customized certificate recognizing their contributions. Nominators have the option of letting the recipient know who submitted the Soaring Seahawk or to remain anonymous.
Who Can Receive a Soaring Seahawk?
Have you received outstanding service from a UNCW employee and want to send a special thank you? Do you know someone who went above and beyond in their job to help you or benefit campus? UNCW's Soaring Seahawk program is a means for recognizing exceptional service by any UNCW employee. Everyone can participate!
How Do I Nominate Someone For a Soaring Seahawk?
Complete the Soaring Seahawk Nomination Form - be sure to follow our guidelines for submitting a strong nomination. Nominations can be submitted by individuals or groups. The Soaring Seahawk committee meets once a month to review submissions and award Soaring Seahawks to nominees.
DIY Recognition
Do It Yourself Recognition
Below, we've highlighted some of our favorite recognition programs that YOU can launch for your own department, team or unit. These DIY recognition ideas are free, easy, and a great way to start having a positive impact on the culture in which you work.
Microsoft Teams Badges
Praise can be given virtually through Microsoft Teams with badges such as Creative, Problem solver, and Team player.
Shout Outs
Shout Outs are where team members can post or write encouraging words, motivational quotes, and positive messages about one another!
Shout Outs can be given virtually! For example, through a departmental team within Microsoft Teams, on a cork board or white board that you hold up during your next Zoom meeting, or as a screen share during your next virtual staff meeting if you would like to create a PowerPoint slide or other form of visual to supplement your Shout Out!
Thank You Cards
If you have some spare thank you cards, you can send one to a colleague through snail mail.