Employee Recognition

At Mohawk Valley Community College, we strive to cultivate a culture of gratitude and appreciation, where recognizing one another’s contributions is woven into our daily interactions. While many of our recognition opportunities are formal, such as peer-nominated MVCC Excellence awards, local and regional honors, and SUNY-level distinctions, we also celebrate the everyday moments that make a difference. Through informal acknowledgments like "Who Made Your Day?" shout-outs, peer recognition, and pay-it-forward “Hawk Feathers”, where students recognize faculty or staff who have supported their success, we ensure that appreciation is a natural part of our workplace culture. By valuing both formal achievements and simple acts of kindness, MVCC fosters an environment where employees feel seen, valued, and inspired.

Hawks that Soar

The Hawks that Soar Awards celebrate the dedication, innovation, and contributions of MVCC employees through a variety of individual and group recognitions. These awards honor outstanding efforts in areas such as service, leadership, teamwork, innovation, diversity, and institutional impact, reinforcing our commitment to a culture of appreciation and recognition. Ranging from peer-nominated honors to formal institutional awards, these recognitions highlight the many ways faculty and staff go above and beyond to support students, colleagues, and the community. Through Hawks that Soar, MVCC fosters an environment where meaningful contributions are valued and celebrated.

Excellence Awards

The MVCC Excellence Awards recognize faculty and staff who demonstrate consistently superior professional achievement, reinforcing the College’s commitment to intellectual vibrancy, professional excellence, and outstanding service. These honors celebrate individuals who go above and beyond in their roles, contributing to high-quality instruction, service leadership, and the overall success of the College community. Recipients serve as role models within the College and are honored at the Summer Institute Recognition Program, where they receive public recognition, a framed certificate, and a $500 award.

SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

The SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence are prestigious System-level honors that recognize faculty and staff for consistently superior professional achievement. These awards reinforce SUNY’s commitment to intellectual vibrancy, knowledge advancement, high-quality instruction, and service to the public good. They celebrate the dedication and impact of instructional faculty, librarians, professional staff, and classified service employees across all SUNY campuses.

At MVCC, nominees for the SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence are selected from the prior year’s MVCC Excellence Award recipients in the corresponding categories. By advancing our internal Excellence Award winners to this next level of recognition, MVCC aligns with SUNY’s requirement for a structured nomination process while ensuring that our most distinguished faculty and staff receive the highest possible recognition for their contributions.

Excellence in Teaching

Excellence in Adjunct Teaching

Excellence in Librarianship

Excellence in Scholarship & Creative Activities

Excellence in Classified Service

Excellence in Professional Service

SUNY Shared Governance

The SUNY Shared Governance Award is a statewide honor recognizing a campus for outstanding achievements in shared governance. This award highlights collaborative decision-making among administration, faculty, staff, and students in shaping policies and initiatives that impact both the campus and the State University of New York system. MVCC was proud to receive this award in 2018, demonstrating its commitment to effective engagement, open communication, and shared accountability in governance.

Genesis Awards

The Genesis Group annually recognizes Central New York educators and programs that make a meaningful impact on the quality of life in the Mohawk Valley region. As part of this initiative, MVCC nominates the previous year’s Heart of Hearts and Pride of Pride award recipients for recognition in the teacher and staff categories. The College also seeks nominations for exceptional programs that showcase MVCC’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement, reflecting its legacy as New York State’s first community college.

Years of Service

At MVCC, we celebrate the dedication and commitment of our employees, recognizing that their longevity strengthens our institution and community. Beginning at ten years of service and continuing in five-year increments, the president personally delivers a Years of Service certificate, sharing a story that highlights the employee’s contributions. This tradition honors the lasting impact of our faculty and staff, ensuring they feel valued and appreciated for their continued service to MVCC.

Who Made Your Day

The Who Made Your Day? recognition program offers a simple yet meaningful way to celebrate colleagues who exemplify MVCC’s Core Values—Model the Way, Inspire Confidence, Encourage Excellence, and Embrace Community. Employees can submit a recognition to acknowledge a colleague’s positive impact, with notifications coordinated by the Executive Director of Organizational Culture and Wellness. The recognized employee, along with their supervisor and respective Cabinet member, receives notification of the acknowledgment and is awarded a Values Coin representing the Core Value associated with their recognition, ensuring that acts of excellence, support, and leadership are celebrated throughout the College community.

Who Made Your Day

Hawk Feathers

Hawk Feathers is a pay-it-forward recognition program that gives students the opportunity to express gratitude for faculty or staff members who have positively impacted their academic success. Encouraged each semester through a message from the College President, this program invites students to submit a Hawk Feather electronically, acknowledging the support, guidance, or encouragement they received. Recognized employees, along with their supervisor and respective Cabinet member, receive a personalized message, reinforcing the College’s commitment to fostering a supportive and uplifting community. Expressing gratitude not only recognizes those who make a difference but also creates a positive impact for the person sharing it, strengthening connections and appreciation across campus.

Nomination Form Nomination Process