Awarded to full-time regular staff members who have made significant contributions to Vanderbilt University’s pursuit of excellence in education, research, and community service. One award is presented to hourly staff and one to salaried staff. Each award winner will receive a cash award of $5,000 and an engraved crystal bowl.

Regular full-time staff members with at least 10 years of consecutive Vanderbilt University service at time of submission may be nominated for the award. Previous recipients of the Commodore Awards are ineligible.

Nominations can be submitted by staff, students, faculty or postdoctoral scholars through the online nomination form and are open through Friday, March 10. Please email ele@vanderbilt.edu with any questions related to the Commodore Award.

Awarded to a full-time staff member who has exhibited an outstanding commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and has demonstrated exemplary contributions to developing a culturally diverse and welcoming university community reflective of inclusive excellence. The award consists of a prize of $2,500 and a physical award. 

Candidates must be regular full-time staff members with a minimum of three years of consecutive Vanderbilt service and are not a previous recipient of the award.

Nominations can be submitted by staff, students, faculty or postdoctoral scholars through the online nomination form and are open through Friday, March 10. Please visit the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion website for additional information.

Awarded to a full-time staff member who has worked at Vanderbilt University for a minimum of one year and less than five years and has exhibited excellent performance that shows promise of future growth in his/her/their field. This individual exemplifies professionalism and has made significant contributions as a junior staff member at Vanderbilt. The award consists of a prize of $2,500 and a physical award. 

Vanderbilt University staff, postdocs, and faculty may nominate full-time staff for this award during the nomination period. Self-nomination is not allowed. Regular full-time staff members holding positions below the director or department head level with a minimum of one year and less than five years of consecutive Vanderbilt University service at time of submission may be nominated for the award. Seasonal or intermittent employees are ineligible.

Nominations can be submitted by staff, students, faculty or postdoctoral scholars through the online nomination form and are open through Friday, March 10. Please email ele@vanderbilt.edu with any questions related to the Vanderbilt Early Impact Award.

Awarded to a full-time staff member who serves as a role model by inspiring colleagues and promoting professional development. This individual demonstrates excellence in mentorship, fosters greater individual contributions and/or greater team cooperation, and embodies Vanderbilt University’s mission, goals and values. The award consists of a prize of $2,500 and a physical award. 

Vanderbilt University staff, postdocs, and faculty may nominate full-time staff for this award during the nomination period. Self-nomination is not allowed. Regular full-time staff members at Vanderbilt University may be nominated for the award; seasonal or intermittent employees are ineligible.

Nominations can be submitted by staff, students, faculty or postdoctoral scholars through the online nomination form and are open through Friday, March 10. Please email ele@vanderbilt.edu with any questions related to the Mentorship Excellence Award.

Awarded to a full-time staff team, department and/or group that has demonstrated collaborative excellence on behalf of the university community. The team has worked across the university on a project, significant effort or initiative that advances Vanderbilt’s mission. The seelcted team receives up to $12,000 ($2,500 maximum per individual) and a physical award. The team's maximum size is 12 staff members. 

Staff, postdocs, and faculty at Vanderbilt University may nominate a team for this award during the nomination period. Self-nomination is allowed. The nominated team should be comprised of full-time staff; seasonal or intermittent employees are ineligible. 

Nominations can be submitted by staff, students, faculty or postdoctoral scholars through the online nomination form and are open through Friday, March 10.  Please email ele@vanderbilt.edu with any questions related to the One Vanderbilt Excellence Award.

Awarded to a full-time staff member and/or staff group/team who represent(s) Vanderbilt University externally through community engagement, service, association leadership or other outreach, that creates a better understanding of the university to those who are not necessarily a part of our immediate Vanderbilt “community.”

An individual award consists of a prize of $2,500 and a physical award. A selected team receives up to $10,000 ($2,500 maximum per individual) and a physical award. The team’s maximum size is 10 staff members.

Please email ele@vanderbilt.edu with any questions related to the Community Impact Award.

Awarded to a full-time staff member who contributes to Vanderbilt University’s success. The staff member has gone significantly above and beyond the specific job duties and has demonstrated excellence in supporting Vanderbilt’s mission. This individual positively influences the work environment, fosters cooperation, achieves goals, and/or overcomes obstacles, while carrying out employment responsibilities. 

An individual award consists of a prize of $2,500 and a physical award.

Please email ele@vanderbilt.edu with any questions related to the Professional Excellence Award.

Awarded to a full-time staff member and/or staff group/team who demonstrates excellence in innovation that has had a meaningful and significant impact on a process, program, or initiative at the Vanderbilt University. This individual and/or staff group/team has implemented or attempted a new system or approach in the past 12-18 months.

An individual award consists of a prize of $2,500 and a physical award. A selected team receives up to $10,000 ($2,500 maximum per individual) and a physical award. The team’s maximum size is 10 staff members.

Please email ele@vanderbilt.edu with any questions related to the Innovation Excellence Award.

Awarded to a full-time staff member and/or staff group/team whose efforts in support of research at Vanderbilt University has been exemplary and significantly impactful in the process of discovery or knowledge.

An individual award consists of a prize of $2,500 and a physical award. A selected team receives up to $10,000 ($2,500 maximum per individual) and a physical award. The team’s maximum size is 10 staff members.

Please email ele@vanderbilt.edu with any questions related to the Research Excellence Award.

Awarded to a full-time staff member and/or staff group/team who has gone above and beyond to positively affect the quality of life of students at Vanderbilt University. This could be through access, resources, mentorship, or service. The staff member and/or staff should have a positive impact on the students’ continued success at Vanderbilt.

An individual award consists of a prize of $2,500 and a physical award. A selected team receives up to $10,000 ($2,500 maximum per individual) and a physical award. The team’s maximum size is 10 staff members.

Please email ele@vanderbilt.edu with any questions related to the Student Impact Award.

Awarded to a full-time staff member who shows outstanding commitment to the Vanderbilt University’s mission by exhibiting strong leadership, such as: building engagement and trust, coaching and developing others, leading with courage, building partnerships, among others. The staff member will show commitment to empowering, educating, and supporting Vanderbilt colleagues.

An individual award consists of a prize of $2,500 and a physical award.

Please email ele@vanderbilt.edu with any questions related to the Leadership Excellence Award.