2023 Annual Awards
The deadline to submit award nominations is August 15, 2023. If you have any questions about this process, please contact the 2023 Annual Conference Coordinator, Sarah Keatley at keatley@ksu.edu.
The Annual Conference Awards give us an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the amazing work being done by K-State Research and Extension each year. Please take a moment to review the ten award categories for the 2023 KSRE Annual Conference.
To nominate a colleague or group for an award, click the "SUBMIT A NOMINATION" button under the appropriate award category. When you submit a nomination for any award you will be asked to provide:
- The name and contact information for your nominee (or a contact person for the group being nominated)
- Your name and contact information, as well as the names and email addresses of any co-nominators (if relevant)
- A document detailing why you feel your nominee is deserving of the award. This document should be no more than three pages and should be either a PDF or Word document
Outstanding Local Unit Award
This award will be presented to a Local Extension Unit for excellence in each of three broad areas:
Programming
- At least one program action plan related to one or more of the Grand Challenges (i.e., Water, Health, Global Food Systems, Community Vitality, Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders)
- Active engagement with Program Development Committees
- Conducting program needs assessment(s)
- Reaching underserved audiences
- Evaluation of educational programs
- Positive change in the clientele as a result of the programs
- Sharing outcomes and impact of educational programs (this includes the online reporting system and Making a Difference Reports)
- Involving and supporting volunteers, if appropriate (this includes volunteer screening and management)
- Partnerships with other community organizations
Personnel
- Agents are involved in Program Focus Teams
- Agents are specializing
- Agents attend professional development opportunities related to their subject matter and other core competencies (including, but not limited to Navigating Difference training)
- Agents are involved in leadership roles, mentor new agents, and are generally good citizens of KSRE
- Agents receive recognition and requests for community, state and/or national presentations
- Equality in pay of agents (i.e., no differences due to gender or subject matter specialty)
- PDCs and Boards developing greater skills through use of Board Leadership Modules
- Program assistants and office professionals are actively engaged in supporting the work
Budget
- External funding obtained for educational programming
- Budgets managed wisely
Reward: This local unit will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference and will be awarded $1,000 for future Extension programming in their unit.
2022 Winner: McPherson County
Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Outstanding Local Unit Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name of the Local Unit being nominated
- The contact information of the Local Unit Director or other appropriate contact for the local unit
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- A document which details why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. You may only upload one (1) document, which cannot be more than three (3) pages long. PDF and Word Documents are preferred.
Outstanding Local Unit Extension Professional
This award will be presented to an individual from either a district or county extension office that exhibits excellence in Extension programming.
Awards Committee Criteria
- Active involvement in a Program Focus Team
- Engagement of the Program Development Committee in identification of need for their program(s)
- A focused, in-depth program plan related to the Program Focus Team work and at least one of the Grand Challenges (i.e., Water, Health, Global Food Systems, Community Vitality, Developing Tomorrow's Leaders). In relation to this program, there should also be evidence of:
- Attendance at Professional Development training(s)
- Partners involved
- External funding received
- Program evaluations and resulting positive changes/impact
- Reporting of activities and impact
- Reaching underserved audiences
- Professionalism (e.g., leadership, mentoring, being a good Extension citizen, etc.)
Reward: The award recipient will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference and will be awarded $1,000 for future their Extension programming.
2022 Winner:Becky Reid, Cowley County
Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Outstanding Local Unit Extension Professional Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name, title, department, and email address of your nominee
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- A document which details why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. You may only upload one (1) document, which cannot be more than three (3) pages long. PDF and Word Documents are preferred.
Outstanding Regional or State Department Award
This award will be presented to a Regional or State Department for excellence in each of three broad areas:
Programming
- Specialists actively participate in and/or lead issue-driven program planning, delivery, evaluation and impact reporting efforts that make a difference in society
- Specialists work with targeted communities through direct partnerships, based on mutual respect and recognition of different ways of knowing, relating and valuing diverse contributions
- Significant work with local unit agents and educators, community members and /or other stakeholders to identify important issues in society. Work with others to identify or co-create resources and processes that become valued by the public
- Program content developed by specialists is relevant to the issue and to audience needs; research and/or evidence based, correct, current and professionally credible; and appropriate for the target audience
- Specialists' teaching materials are appropriate for participants and for teaching methods being used, with cultural sensitivity for diverse audiences
- Specialists develop high-quality materials and programs that are adopted and used by others
- Teaching materials are evaluated for effectiveness and impacts are reported appropriately
- Overall output from the department contributes to the public value of K-State Research and Extension
Personnel
- Specialists are involved in Program Focus Teams
- Specialists seek professional development opportunities related to their subject matter, and other core competencies such as use of technology and diversity and inclusion
- Specialists are involved in leadership roles, mentor new agents and specialists, and are generally good citizens of KSRE
- Specialists receive recognition and requests for community, state or national presentations
Budget
- External funding obtained for educational programming
- Budgets managed wisely
Reward: This department will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference and will be awarded $1,000 for future Extension programming in their department.
Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Outstanding Regional or State Department Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name of the Department being nominated
- The contact information of the Department's Director or other appropriate contact for the department
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- A document which details why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. You may only upload one (1) document, which cannot be more than three (3) pages long. PDF and Word Documents are preferred.
2022 Winner: Kansas Forest Service
Outstanding Regional or State Extension Professional
This award will be presented to an individual from a regional or state level that exhibits excellence in Extension programming.
Awards Committee Criteria
- Active involvement in a Program Focus Team
- Assessment of need for their program(s)
- A focused, in-depth program plan related to at least one of the Grand Challenges (i.e., Water, Health, Global Food Systems, Community Vitality, Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders). In relation to this program, there should also be evidence of:
- Attendance at Professional Development training related to the program
- Providing Professional Development training(s) to agents (or others)
- Partners involved
- External funding received
- Program evaluations and resulting positive changes/impact
- Reporting of activities and impact
- Reaching underserved audiences
- Professionalism (e.g., leadership, mentoring, being a good Extension citizen, etc.)
Reward: The award recipient will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference and will be awarded $1,000 for future their Extension programming.
2022 Winner:Not Awarded
Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Outstanding Regional or State Extension Professional Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name, title, department, and email address of your nominee
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- A document which details why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. You may only upload one (1) document, which cannot be more than three (3) pages long. PDF and Word Documents are preferred.
Outstanding Program Focus Team
This award will be presented to a Program Focus Team that exhibits excellence in Extension Programming.
Awards Committee Criteria
- Shared leadership (including delegation of responsibilities)
- Team members actively engaged
- Team meetings held multiple times per year (including face-to-face and virtual/telephone meetings)
- Collaboration among members and others
- Team action plan(s) developed and submitted
- Plans for professional development relevant to action plan(s) to build capacity for strong programs, including:
- In-depth training for team members
- Basic training for other extension professionals
- Evaluation plans for all action plans and evaluation tools in K-PICs
- Reports submitted
- Team budget is managed wisely
Reward: This Program Focus Team will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference and will be awarded $1,000 to facilitate the team's work.
2022 Winner: Not Awarded
Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Outstanding Program Focus Team Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name of the Program Focus Team being nominated
- The contact information of an appropriate contact person for the Program Focus Team
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- A document which details why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. You may only upload one (1) document, which cannot be more than three (3) pages long. PDF and Word Documents are preferred.
Builder Award
This award will be presented to an individual who has exhibited extra energy and creativity over a number of years in building new programs, audiences, or institutions within K-State Research and Extension.
Reward: The award recipient will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference
2022 Winner: Londa Nwadike, Food Safety - K-State Olathe
Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Builder Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name, title, department, and email address of your nominee
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- A document which details why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. You may only upload one (1) document, which cannot be more than three (3) pages long. PDF and Word Documents are preferred.
Diversity Award
This award will be presented to an individual who has embraced and demonstrated K-State Research and Extension's commitment to diversity in programming, workforce, and relationships with other organizations.
Reward: The award recipient will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference
2022 Winner: Not Awarded
Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Diversity Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name, title, department, and email address of your nominee
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- A document which details why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. You may only upload one (1) document, which cannot be more than three (3) pages long. PDF and Word Documents are preferred.
Mentoring Awards
These awards will be presented to individuals who have helped others achieve higher performance and productivity. Mentor nominees might be early-career mentors or someone who has served as a mentor anytime throughout the nominator's career path. Two Mentor Awards will be presented: one to an a local unit professional and one to a regional or campus-based professional.
Reward: The award recipients will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference
2022 Winner: Not Awarded
Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Mentoring Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name, title, department, and email address of your nominee
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- A document which details why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. You may only upload one (1) document, which cannot be more than three (3) pages long. PDF and Word Documents are preferred.
Team Award
This award will be presented to a group of individuals to recognize their outstanding efforts addressing one of the grand challenges facing Kansans: global food systems, water, health, community vitality, or developing tomorrow's leaders.
Reward: The award recipients will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference and each team member will receive a KSRE-branded shirt
2022 Winner: Extension Agricultural Economics Team
Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Teams Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name of the Team being nominated
- The contact information of an appropriate contact person for the Team
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- A document which details why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. You may only upload one (1) document, which cannot be more than three (3) pages long. PDF and Word Documents are preferred.
Professional Staff Employee of the Year
This award will be presented to an individual in an Unclassified Non-Tenure track or University Support Staff position who has demonstrated special efforts and accomplishments for K-State Research and Extension. (This award includes University Support Staff (USS) of the College of Agriculture and all divisions of K-State Research and Extension, on and off-campus)
Reward: The award recipients will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference
2022 Winners: Dustan Ridder, Agronomy
Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Professional Staff of the Year Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name, title, department, and email address of your nominee
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- A document which details why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. You may only upload one (1) document, which cannot be more than three (3) pages long. PDF and Word Documents are preferred.
Local Unit Staff Member of the Year
This award will be presented to an individual employed by a local unit office who displays initiative, productivity, creativity, adaptability, teamwork, and service in their role with K-State Research and Extension.
Reward: The award recipients will be recognized during the 2023 Annual Conference
2022 Winner: Elesha Hazel, Douglas County
Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Local Unit Staff Member of the Year Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name, title, department, and email address of your nominee
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- A document which details why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. You may only upload one (1) document, which cannot be more than three (3) pages long. PDF and Word Documents are preferred.
More 2023 Awards
These awards have a submission deadline of August 15, 2023. The nomination process for the Communicator of the Year Awards differs from the awards listed above. Please review the "What do I need for this submission?" subsection of the awards' description.
Communicator of the Year Awards
The Communicator of the Year award is presented at annual conference each year by the Kansas Chapter of ACE (Association for Communication Excellence) and the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education. Nominations for Communicator of the Year can be made by anyone associated with K-State Research and Extension. The nominee must be someone who communicates consistently and effectively about the work of K-State Research and Extension. You may nominate yourself, but members of the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education may not be nominated.
We are giving two awards to excellent communicators — one to a faculty member, extension specialist, or researcher in a tenure-track position, either on campus or in one of the area offices or research centers; and one to a non-tenure-track extension agent, extension associate or assistant, or unclassified professional, either on campus or in an extension or district office.
We're using one nomination form and will choose the winners from the pool of nominations. The key qualification for these awards is being an effective communicator.
Some examples of effective communication are:
- Uses unique approaches to reach new audiences.
- Develops educational programs that showcase the work of K-State Research and Extension.
- Uses communication tools to build partnerships in the community.
- Effectively uses social media to communicate with the public.
- Increases public understanding of science and technology.
We're looking for a comprehensive communicator — someone who uses multiple forms of communication, is available to media, and reaches out to the community through Facebook postings, newsletters, twitter, blogs, and other forms of communication.
Reward: The award recipient will be recognized during Annual Conference
Submit a Nomination for a 2023 Communicator of the Year Award
What do I need for this submission?
- The name, title, department, and email address of your nominee, as well as the length of time they have worked with KSRE
- A list of nominators (this can be just you)
- An explanation of why you (and any of your fellow nominators) believe your nominee should receive this award. There is a 2,500 character limit.
- Optional: links to examples of your nominee's communication work
For more information about the 2023 K-State Research and Extension Annual Conference Awards or the awards nomination process, please contact Sarah Keatley or the KSRE Extension Operations office.
