UA News

Nominations for the Saundra Taylor University Citizen Award are due Tuesday.

Nominations are being accepted through Tuesday for the first Saundra Taylor University Citizen Award, presented to one University of Arizona employee (classified staff, appointed personnel or administrative staff member) and one student who have demonstrated good university citizenship by working for the best interest of campus.

The award, to be given annually by Student Affairs, is named for Saundra Taylor, known to many as "Saunie." She served as the UA's vice president for campus life, which has since become the Student Affairs division, from 1992 to 2006. Since retiring, Taylor continues to live in Tucson.

"Saunie was a role model for all professionals at The University of Arizona. She embodies the qualities of what a good University citizen is – someone who works for the good of the University and its students, regardless of direct benefit to themselves or their department," wrote Melissa Vito, vice president for student affairs in a memo announcing the new honor. 

The award comes with a plaque and $500 prize, which will be presented during the UA's annual Accolades award ceremony April 28.

The criteria for the award are as follows:

For classified staff, appointed personnel or administrative staff:

• The recipient must have been a classified staff, appointed personnel or administrative staff member for at least five years.
• The recipient must have promoted significant collaboration across multiple departments or divisions of the University, and students must be the primary beneficiary of the collaboration.
• The results of the collaboration must be an innovative ongoing program or one-time activity.
• The recipient must have acted above and beyond the scope of their official position responsibilities.
• The recipient must have promoted collaboration that advanced the academic mission of the University.

For students:

• The recipient must be a full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA).
• The recipient must have demonstrated leadership above and beyond the scope of any formal leadership position (but does not need to be in a formal leadership position).
• The recipient must promote principles of social justice and inclusion in their work.
• Service to the Tucson community will be considered.

Nomination forms, along with one letter of support from a University staff member or Tucson community member and one letter of support from a UA student, are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday to James Miller, miller2@email.arizona.edu. Letters should be no more than two typed pages.

The Saundra Taylor University Citizen Award is just one of several awards to be given to employees and students during the Accolades award ceremony. Others include the Outstanding Faculty Award, Outstanding Professional Staff Member Award, Department of the Year Award and many more. You can view a complete list of awards and submit nominations online. Nominations for the other awards are due Monday.