Staff Awards & Recognition

The GSD and Harvard University are deeply committed to recognizing the hard work and dedication of our staff. Throughout the academic year, we celebrate their achievements through recognition programs, awards, and events. Recognizing and rewarding excellence ensures that every staff member feels valued and supported throughout their journey with us. We also honor career milestones, such as years of service and retirements, with special acknowledgements that highlight each individual’s unique contributions. By fostering a culture of appreciation and gratitude, we aim to create an engaging and supportive workplace for all.

GSD Gund Hall

Applause Award

The Applause Award is a monthly award given to one staff member or a team whose contributions deserve special recognition. Staff members are invited to nominate colleagues who have shown exceptional dedication to their role. Winners of the Applause Award receive a $100 bonus.

Related Documents

Applause-Award-Nomination-Template-2025-2026

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GSD Past Applause Award Recipients

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Dean’s Award for Employee Excellence / Harvard Heroes

The Dean’s Award for Employee Excellence is an annual award given to one employee or a group of employees who have displayed outstanding initiative, leadership, and commitment to quality or has performed above their job description. The winner of the Dean’s Award receives $1,000, two extra vacation days and is honored as the GSD’s Harvard Hero.

Harvard Heroes is an annual University-wide program to honor high-performing staff. These staff members have been nominated and/or selected by their peers and departments for work that supports the mission of Harvard at the highest levels of contribution, impact and excellence. The program begins with nominations in the spring and culminates with a celebration hosted by the President at Sanders Theatre in June. The ceremony and the reception that follow are open to all employees plus invited guests of the honorees.

For additional information and access to normination forms please visit the Harvard Heroes Program page.

The 2025 winner of the GSD's Dean's Award stands with three other staff members at the Harvard Hero event.

Related Documents

Past GSD Dean's Award Winners

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People walk down the stairs in Gund Hall's Trays.

Service Milestone Recognition

Faculty and staff celebrating anniversaries will receive a special message of thanks and congratulations, as well as a choice of gifts during their anniversary month.

Visit the University’s Employee Recognition page to learn more.

Reward & Recognition Committee

The purpose of the GSD Reward and Recognition Committee is to recognize employee excellence at the Graduate School of Design. The Committee selects monthly Applause Award winners and annual Dean’s Award winners from nominations submitted by GSD staff.

Committee Members:

Keith Gnoza, Student Affairs

Matt Smith, Communications

Pilar Raynor Jordan, Academic Finance

Edwin Martinez, IT

Lisa Plosker, Human Resources (ex-officio)

Students and alumin gather on a sunny day in the backyard of Gund Hall