Nominations open for the 2026 Zacharias Distinguished Staff Award

Staff Council invites you to submit nominations for the Zacharias Distinguished Staff Award, recognizing exceptional employees of Mississippi State University. Twelve recipients will each receive a commemorative plaque and a $1,000 award. Honorees will be announced at Staff Appreciation Day Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m.

Eligibility Requirements
Nominees must:

• Be classified as professional or support staff;
• Be in good standing;
• Work at least half-time;
• Have a minimum of three years of service;
• Not have previously received this award;
• Satisfy the nomination criteria listed below.

Nomination Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate the following:

1. A commitment to professionalism and dedication to MSU, consistently exceeding standard expectations to enhance service, quality, and the department or unit’s reputation;
2. Positive role modeling for faculty, staff, and students;
3. Significant accomplishments reflecting initiative, collaboration, and job performance excellence;
4. A high level of competence and subject-matter expertise;
5. Engagement beyond assigned responsibilities through participation in university or community service initiatives.

Nomination Process

1. Nominations may be submitted by MSU administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
2. A list of previous award recipients is available for review here.
3. Nominators must complete and submit the official Nomination Form, along with three (3) letters of support, no later than April 10 at 11:59 p.m. Please provide thorough and detailed responses in each section to clearly represent your nominee’s qualifications. If additional information is needed, consult with colleagues or the nominee to ensure accuracy and completeness.

For the three required letters of support, it is recommended that one letter come from the nominee’s supervisor and another from a coworker. Any letters submitted beyond the required three will not be considered during the evaluation process.