The University of Connecticut established the UConn Spirit Awards to honor staff and faculty at our Storrs and regional campuses for stellar contributions and dedication to the mission and advancement of the University and our core values.
The 2026 Spirit Awards nomination period is now open. Nominations will be accepted through February 6.
Submit your nomination here.
Winners will be chosen for the following award categories: Unsung Hero, Rising Star and the Team Award. The committee will be able to select up to two winners for the Unsung Hero and the Team Awards.
Additionally, Special Citations allows nominators to include an optional special citation to their nomination, if their nominee meets the parameters of the overall award and does so through the lens of the special citation, such as Inclusive Excellence or University Citizen.
Special Citations can be added to a nomination across any category and allows the nominator to emphasize that the nominated employee(s), for example, a Team who focuses on Inclusive Excellence or a Rising Star who exhibits the qualities of a University Citizen. Nominations without a special citation will also be accepted, and special citations will not weighed more heavily than other nominations.
Learn more at the Spirit Awards website.
For more information, contact: HR: Organizational & Staff Development at worklife@uconn.edu