President’s Awards for Distinguished Leadership

Eligibility 

• All current full-time and permanent part-time employees are eligible for this award. 

• Individuals in the Executive Group including the President are not eligible for this award.  

Guidelines and Process 

• Nominations for this award can be made by staff, faculty, or learners.   

• Individuals may also self-nominate. 

• Online nomination forms will be made available annually. 

Each nomination must include: 

• A brief rationale for the nomination (up to 500 words) prepared by the nominator.  

• Two letters of support (up to 500 words each) from peers describing the nominee’s leadership contributions and impact within the NOSM University community.  
• A complete nomination therefore includes input from at least three individuals: the nominator and two supporters. 

Criteria 

Nominations should highlight the nominee’s primary areas of strength.  The working group will evaluate submissions using the following criteria: 

• Demonstrates sustained excellence through consistently high‑quality performance and outcomes over time. 

• Shows commitment to continuous improvement through innovation, adaptability, and enhancement of systems or processes. 

• Delivers clear, meaningful impact within their unit, portfolio, or the broader NOSM University community. 

• Fosters teamwork, collaboration, inclusiveness, and collegiality while modeling professionalism that inspires others. 

• Aligns work and contributions with NOSM University’s mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities. 

• Demonstrates leadership beyond core responsibilities through initiative, mentorship, or broader community engagement. 

This award recognizes an early-career or emerging leader who demonstrates strong leadership potential, collaboration skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate others. The nominee demonstrates the skills and promise to grow into a leadership role within the University and may not currently hold a formal leadership position.  

This award is intended for individuals who are in the early stages of their professional or leadership journey, typically within the first several years of their career, though career context and progression will be considered. 

Eligibility 

• Open to all current full-time and permanent part-time non-faculty employees. 

• Nominees should be employed for five years or more. 

• Nominees may not currently hold a formal leadership position but must demonstrate clear leadership potential through their contributions, initiative, and influence. 

• Individuals in senior or established leadership roles (e.g., Directors and above) are not eligible for this award.  

Guidelines and Process 

• Nominations for this award can be made by staff, faculty, or learners.   

• Individuals may also self-nominate. 

• Online nomination forms will be made available annually. 

Each nomination must include: 

• A brief rationale for the nomination (up to 500 words) prepared by the nominator.  

• Two letters of support (up to 500 words each) from peers describing the nominee’s leadership contributions and impact within the NOSM University community.  
• A complete nomination therefore includes input from at least three individuals: the nominator and two supporters. 

Criteria 

While nominations should highlight the nominee’s key areas of strength, the working group will evaluate candidates based on the following: 

• Promotes a collaborative and innovative environment that enhances team efficiency and effectiveness. 

• Demonstrates the ability to influence others without relying on positional authority. 

• Values and considers the perspectives of others to strengthen team cohesion and relationships. 

• Champions and leads transformational initiatives that benefit their unit/portfolio or the University. 

• Inspires and motivates colleagues to pursue opportunities that enhance their personal and professional growth. 

This award recognizes a mid- to senior-career individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership and a sustained commitment to fostering an environment of empowerment, collaboration, and support. The nominee drives meaningful and impactful change across the University and consistently inspires others to achieve their highest potential, both personally and professionally. 

Eligibility 

• Open to all current full-time and permanent part-time non-faculty employees. 

• Nominees should be employed for 7 years or more. 

• Individuals in the Executive Group including the President are not eligible for this award.  

Guidelines and Process 

• Nominations for this award can be made by staff, faculty or learners.   

• Individuals may also self-nominate. 

• Online nomination forms will be made available annually. 

Each nomination must include: 

• A brief rationale for the nomination (up to 500 words) prepared by the nominator.  

• Two letters of support (up to 500 words each) from peers describing the nominee’s leadership contributions and impact within the NOSM University community.  
• A complete nomination therefore includes input from at least three individuals: the nominator and two supporters. 

Criteria 

While nominations should focus on the nominee’s primary areas of strength, the working group will assess nominees based on the following: 

• Fosters an environment of collaboration, trust, and creativity that enhances effectiveness within teams, initiatives, services, or systems. 

• Demonstrates leadership by enabling and empowering others to succeed, regardless of formal position or authority. 

• Leverages the strengths, perspectives, and interests of others to build cohesion, shared purpose, and high performance. 

• Provides effective leadership of people, projects, services, or systems while exemplifying fairness, integrity, and accountability. 

• Initiates and leads projects, initiatives, or improvements that result in meaningful and lasting impact for the unit, portfolio, or University. 

• Inspires and motivates others to pursue learning, growth, and opportunities that strengthen individual capability and collective effectiveness.