Outstanding Maverick Awards

Take this opportunity to celebrate individuals and teams who:

• Demonstrate UTA's Shared Values of Collaboration, Engagement, Excellence, Innovation, and Integrity as the go above and beyond to support students, colleagues and university initiatives.
• Inspire others through leadership, teamwork, and service.
• Create innovative solutions that improve processes, programs, or experiences.
• Foster a positive, welcoming, and engaged workplace culture.

Outstanding Maverick Awards are presented annually in the spring and may be awarded to:

• Up to five Individual Contributors (one recipient in each Shared Value category), each receiving a $1,000 award.
• Up to two Staff Leaders, each receiving a $1,000 award.
• One Outstanding Team, receiving a $2,500 team award to be shared equally among team members, with a maximum of six team members eligible to receive the award.

Benefits-eligible non-faculty employees who have been employed for at least six months as of September 1 are eligible for nomination. Accomplishments considered for recognition should have occurred during the academic year, from September 1 through August 31.

The Outstanding Maverick Awards are more than a recognition program—it is an opportunity to publicly celebrate what strengthen UTA's culture and contribute to the university's success. This recognition reinforces the importance of shared values and cross-functional collaboration in achieving institutional goals.

Help us recognize the Mavericks who make a difference every day. Submit a nomination and shine a spotlight on the colleagues and teams whose work exemplifies the best of UTA.

Recognizes an employee who builds strong partnerships and effectively leverages the skills, talents, and knowledge of others to achieve results. Nominations should highlight the employee’s ability to work effectively with others and build productive partnerships across the University and community. Specify how the staff member:

• Creates innovative solutions that advance departmental or university goals.
• Is accountable, transparent and foster trust, shared responsibility, and mutual successes.
• Effectively communicates progress to stakeholders, ensuring alignment and clarity throughout projects and initiatives.
• Encourages open communication among various departments/teams across campus.

Recognizes an employee who creates a thriving community that demonstrates appreciation, value, and respect for all individuals by fostering a welcoming, supportive, and respectful workplace environment. Nominations should highlight the employees’ engagement efforts and their contributions to an atmosphere where individuals feel connected, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Specify how the staff member:

• Fosters trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Promotes understanding through active listening and thoughtful consideration.
• Leverages perspectives of others to achieve positive outcomes.
• Creates opportunities for meaningful participation and a welcoming environment.

Recognizes an employee who approaches all actions with high standards and exemplary service. The nomination should highlight how the employee exceeds expectations, enhances processes and services positively impacting the University.

Specify how the staff member:

• Commits to continuous learning and growth.
• Prioritizes process improvements.
• Delivers exceptional results.
• Recognizes and rewards outstanding performance.

Recognizes an employee who consistently strives to think and act in new and creative ways by exploring new ideas, challenging conventional approaches, and implementing forward-thinking solutions. The nomination should highlight how the employee’s creativity, adaptability, and innovative mindset has led to meaningful improvements.

Specify how the staff member:

• Embraces innovation and explores new ideas.
• Fosters a forward-thinking approach.
• Learns and grows from both successes and mistakes.
• Adapts and refines creative processes.

Recognizes a staff member who consistently demonstrates honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior. The nomination should highlight how the employee models integrity through their decisions, actions, and interactions with others.

Specify how the staff member:

• Displays transparency in their actions.
• Holds themselves and others accountable.
• Takes responsibility for their decisions.
• Does the right thing, even when it is difficult.

Recognizes a people leader who demonstrates honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior while inspiring and supporting others to achieve exceptional results. The nomination should highlight how the leader builds trust, develops others, drives meaningful change, and creates an environment where employees can thrive and succeed.

Specify how the staff member:

• Serves as a role model.
• Demonstrates a high level of professionalism
• Leads a team of 3+ to results
• Effectively promotes the university’s mission, vision, values, and strategic plan.
• Demonstrates transformative and innovative leadership.
• Develops and maintain positive relationships across campus.
• Promotes a respectful and supportive work environment.

Recognize the unique, outstanding contributions of a team that works together to achieve results beyond normal operations. The nomination should highlight exceptional collaboration, communication, trust, and shared accountability while advancing departmental goals and supporting UTA’s mission displayed by the team.

Specify how the team:

• Works effectively to achieve shared goals.
• Builds collaborative relationships across departments.
• Promotes communication, trust, and respect.
• Contributes to a significant group achievement.