SAC Star Award

The University of Texas at Arlington takes pride in its exceptional staff members who continually exceed expectations. The Staff Advisory Council (SAC) is delighted to honor these dedicated individuals through the SAC STAR award.

Award Timeline

Awards are announced quarterly (March, June, September, December) to align with the SAC Roundup Newsletter distribution (January, April, July, October).
This schedule allows ample time for nominations and ensures winners are celebrated in the Newsletter.
STAR recipients are formally presented a Certificate by a member of the Executive Committee, announced in the SAC Newsletter, and featured on the SAC website

Quarterly Deadlines to Submit Nominations:

  • Quarter 1 (January to March): Deadline March 1
  • Quarter 2 (April to June): Deadline June 1
  • Quarter 3 (July to September): Deadline September 1
  • Quarter 4 (October to December): Deadline December 1

Please note, recipients are eligible to win only one STAR award per year.

Baseline Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the SAC STAR award; nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • Nominee is currently employed by UTA
  • Nominee must meet SAC eligible requirements, though they do not need to be a
    SAC representative.
    • Classified as Staff, Exempt or Non-Exempt, administrative or professional
    • Employed for a minimum of 6 months
    • Hold a title of Assistant Director/Associate Director or below.
  • Maintain a performance rating of satisfactory or above.
  • Nominee cannot be on the current SAC Executive Board or Award Committee
  • Nomination must achieve a minimum of 5 points from the category rubric

Please note, recipients are not eligible to self-nominate.

Category Rubric

Nominated For 10 Points 5 Points 1 Point Nominated for 10 Points: 1 Distinguished Service Point Available
S / Support and Services: Demonstrates outstanding support and service to others, ensuring the success and well-being of individuals and teams. Nomination clearly details examples of exceptional support and service that significantly enhance the success of individuals, teams, or the broader organization. This includes mentoring, helping others achieve their goals, or providing outstanding service to stakeholders. Nomination provides limited information about the nominee’s contributions in supporting or serving others, with some examples, but lacks depth or direct impact. Nomination doesn’t provide sufficient information about the nominee’s support or service efforts. Add 1 to 3 distinguished service points if the impact of accomplishments extends beyond expectations, demonstrating exceptional care or service to individuals or teams.
T / Teamwork and Collaboration: Exemplifies the ability to work effectively within teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. Nomination clearly details examples of exceptional teamwork and collaboration, showcasing the nominee's ability to work effectively within teams, foster an inclusive environment, and promote collective success. Nomination provides limited information about the nominee’s teamwork skills, with some mention of collaborative efforts, but lacks specific examples of impact. Nomination doesn’t provide information about the nominee’s role in teamwork or collaboration. Add 1 to 3 distinguished service points if the nominee’s collaborative efforts or teamwork significantly exceed what is expected for their position and positively impact the broader organization.
A / Adaptability and Innovation: Shows the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and drive innovation in their role or within the organization. Nomination clearly details examples of the nominee’s ability to adapt to challenges, innovate in response to change, or lead new initiatives that have had a meaningful impact on the organization. Nomination provides limited information about the nominee’s adaptability or innovation, with some reference to flexibility or creativity, but lacks specific examples of change or impact. Nomination doesn’t provide information about the nominee’s adaptability or innovation efforts. Add 1 to 3 distinguished service points if the nominee’s ability to adapt or innovate significantly exceeds expectations, resulting in impactful and sustainable changes.
R / Relationships and Community Engagement: Demonstrates excellence in building relationships and engaging with the community, both internally and externally. Nomination clearly details examples of the nominee’s ability to build and sustain valuable relationships both within the organization and with external partners, fostering a positive reputation, network, or community engagement. Nomination provides limited information about the nominee’s relationship-building or community engagement, offering some examples, but lacking depth or measurable impact. Nomination doesn’t provide information about the nominee’s efforts to build relationships or engage with the community. Add 1 to 3 distinguished service points if the nominee’s ability to engage with the community or foster relationships extends beyond what is expected, with significant positive outcomes for the organization or community.


Award Categories

S | Support & Service

  • Recognizing those who provide essential day-to-day support to students, faculty, and staff. Demonstrates outstanding commitment to providing excellent service, whether to students, faculty, or colleagues. This award celebrates those who consistently go the extra mile to create a positive, welcoming, and efficient environment for all.

T | Teamwork & Collaboration

  • Honors those who excel in working together to achieve shared goals. Shown exceptional teamwork, collaborating effectively across departments or with colleagues to achieve common goals. This category recognizes those who foster a spirit of cooperation and shared success within the institution.

A | Adaptability & Innovation

  • Celebrating staff who are innovative and able to adapt to changing circumstances. These individuals find creative solutions to challenges and are quick to adjust in dynamic environments, whether through technological innovation, process improvements, or new ways of engaging students and faculty.

R | Relationships & Community Engagement

  • Honoring staff who build and nurture meaningful relationships both within the institution and the wider community. These individuals play a vital role in fostering a sense of community, whether among students, faculty, staff, or local partners, and contribute to creating an inclusive, collaborative atmosphere.

  SAC Star Nomination Form

For more information about the STAR Award, please contact SAC at sac@uta.edu or your District SAC representative.