The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences (MSASS) provides three annual awards to recognize the valuable contributions made by staff.
Open for Nominations until January 6, 2025. Nominate staff here.
Research and Training Award of Excellence
This award was established to recognize our research and training staff members who have made the Mandel School’s growing research and training portfolio possible. Each year, one research and training staff member is recognized for their commitment and impact. This award comes with a $500 prize.
Candidate criteria
- This award is for researchers or trainers. A researcher or trainer is an externally-funded staff member who serves a project-specific role. This includes Research Assistants, Programmers, Research Associates, and Senior Research Associates. A Research Associate who also has a secondary title of “Director” falls into this category.
- Completed at least one full year of employment at MSASS and as a University employee (as of 12/31 each year).
- Has not received a prior Research and Training Award in the past three years.
- Be at least half-time (20 hours per week)
- Candidate must be in good standing with the University.
Nominations will be accepted from approximately mid-October through early January (see above for yearly deadline) via the on-line nomination form. Please address how the nominee demonstrates or exhibits:
- Focus on the goals and mission of their department, MSASS, and the University
- Ingenuity in approach
- Impact within department, community, or field
- Teamwork by working efficiently with others
- Pride and genuine interest in their work
- Strong work ethic
Please be sure your nomination demonstrates why the nominee should be honored based on the above criteria. The selection committee can only evaluate the nominee based on the information provided and appreciates receiving thorough and complete nominations.
B. Lenora Benson Award of Excellence
This award was established to recognize Bea Benson for her thirty-one years of service to Case Western Reserve University upon her retirement in 1997. At the Mandel School, Ms. Benson consistently demonstrated service above and beyond her role and made a large contribution to the School. Each year, this award recognizes one staff member for their excellence and professionalism. This award comes with a $500 prize.
Candidate criteria:
- This award is for administrators. An administrator is a staff member, regardless of funding source, who supports those who carry out projects or support/operate school departments. This includes Coordinators, Department Assistants, Department Administrators, Assistant Directors, and Directors.
- Completed at least one full year of employment at MSASS and as a University employee (as of 12/31 each year).
- Has not received a prior Benson award in the past three years.
- Be at least half-time (20 hours per week)
- Candidate must be in good standing with the University.
Nomination process:
Nominations will be accepted from approximately mid-October through early January (see above for yearly deadline) via the on-line nomination form. Please address how the nominee demonstrates or exhibits:
- Focus on the goals and mission of their department, MSASS, and the University
- Ingenuity in approach or achievement
- Teamwork by working efficiently with others
- Pride and genuine interest in their work
- Strong work ethic
Please be sure your nomination demonstrates why the nominee should be honored based on the above criteria. The selection committee can only evaluate the nominee based on the information provided and appreciates receiving thorough and complete nominations.
MSASSy Recognition Award
This award provides special recognition for a “job well done.” The nomination can be due to a specific event or project. Up to six MSASSys are awarded each year.
Candidate criteria:
- This award is for administrators, researchers, and trainers (all staff types).
- Completed at least six months of employment at MSASS and as a University employee (as of 12/31 each year)
- Be at least half-time (20 hours per week)
- Candidate must be in good standing with the University.
Nomination process:
Nominations will be accepted from approximately mid-October through early January (see above for yearly deadline) via the on-line nomination form. In your nomination, be sure to describe why the nominee deserves this special recognition. Consider:
- Teamwork
- Efficiency
- Positive attitude
- Service orientation
- Extra effort on a specific project
Please be sure your nomination demonstrates why the nominee should be honored based on the above considerations. The selection committee can only evaluate the nominee based on the information provided and appreciates receiving thorough and complete nominations.
You may nominate multiple candidates for each award.
Staff Awards Committee
The staff awards committee has four permanent members plus three others selected by the permanent members. The permanent members are the Associate Dean for Finance and Administration, the Associate Dean for Equity and Belonging (MSASS), and the prior year’s recipients of the Benson and Research and Training awards. The additional three members will change each year and every attempt will be made to achieve diversity in gender, race, and the various faculty and staff levels. This committee will determine the recipients for all staff awards.
Staff Awards Event
The above awards will be announced at an annual Staff Awards Celebration which will typically be held in February. The awards are for the prior calendar year. While Finance and Administration will solicit nominations and advertise the event, the seven committee members are responsible for planning and carrying out the event.