Engaging Employees To Do Great Things
It is impossible to over-emphasize the valuable role that employees play in helping the University of St. Thomas achieve its strategic priorities and carry out its mission. Our 1,500 staff and faculty represent our richest resource. St. Thomas is fortunate to employ such a large number of extremely dedicated and talented employees.
In recognition of this fact, members of the Academic and Administrative Leadership Group and the President’s Staff recently approved several new employee recognition programs. These programs comprise the new Circle of Engagement. Its mantra is “engaging employees to do great things.”
Included within the Circle of Engagement are seven programs. Each program signals our intention to make employee recognition an important and intrinsic aspect of work life at St. Thomas. The programs’ goal is to acknowledge and reward employees for their tremendous contributions and to demonstrate the University’s commitment to fostering excellence, communication, and respect throughout the campus community.
Provided below is a brief description of each program.
Employee Suggestion Award Program
The Employee Suggestion Awards Program recognizes and rewards eligible staff and faculty for their creative ideas and suggestions. This program contemplates contributions that may fall outside or beyond an employee’s normal job responsibilities.
Leadership Academy
The Leadership Academy is St. Thomas’ professional development program. It provides an opportunity for all categories of employees to enhance their professional skills and effectiveness in meeting the changing needs of the University. Employee may choose from an array of different types of programs, workshops, and seminars offered on a regular basis throughout the year.
New Employee Ambassador Program
The Ambassador Program is an informal program designed to help ease the transition for new employees into the St. Thomas campus community.
New Employee Welcome Program
The Employee Welcome Program includes greeting cards for new employees and public announcements of their joining St. Thomas.
Staff Mentorship Program
The Staff Mentorship Program is a collaborative effort between the Department of Human Resources and Office of Institutional Diversity to foster learning and self-improvement for employees at all levels.
Staff Recognition Award Program
The Staff Recognition Program is to recognize two staff members annually who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, service, and achievement in the area of education or community building.Employee Service Awards Program
Each year, employees are recognized for their continuous years of service to St. Thomas through a public ceremony hosted by the Human Resources Department. Employees who reach their 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and beyond years-of-service milestone are honored at the Annual Faculty and Staff Recognition Awards Celebration and are entitled to select a recognition gift paid for by the University. Employees may place their gift order online at Employee Service Awards.
