Resource Center

Staff Awards & Recognition

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 Deans Award winners from nominations submitted by GSD staff.

Applause Award

The Applause Award is a monthly award given to one staff member. Winners of the Applause Award receive a $50 bonus.

Nomination Forms

Past Applause Award Winners

Dean's Award for Employee Excellence / Harvard Heroes

The Dean's Award 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 his or her job description. The winner of the Dean's Award receives $1,000 and two extra vacation days.

Dean's Award Nomination Form

Past Dean's Award Winners

Harvard Heroes Recognition Criteria

Service Milestone Recognition

Beginning in January, 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.  The new program will expand the reach of the current 25-year program.

Visit the University's Service Recognition page to learn more.

Reward & Recognition Committee Members

  • Hal Gould, Computer Resources
  • Tim Hoffman, Faculty Planning
  • Lisa Plosker, Human Resources (ex-officio)
  • Meghan Sandberg, Communications
  • Rachel Vroman, Digital Fabrication Lab

Staff & Community Committee

The purpose of the GSD Staff and Community Committee is to make the Graduate School of Design a great place to work by building a sense of camaraderie among staff and by providing different opportunities to improve GSD staff members’ experience.

The Committee sponsors exhibit tours in the Gund Lobby as well as co-hosts events throughout the year including the annual GSD summer picnic, a pot luck lunch/staff bake-off contest, and a welcome back New Year’s breakfast!

Staff & Community Committee Members

  • Kate Bauer, Office of the Dean
  • Joanne Choi, Francis Loeb Library
  • Satomi Collins, Executive Education
  • Santiago Gomez, Student Services
  • Pilar Raynor Jordan, Academic Finance
  • Sarah Knight, Development & Alumni Relations
  • Michelle Muliro, Human Resources
  • Lisa Plosker, Human Resources
  • Abbe Will, Joint Center for Housing Studies

Questions? Feedback?

E-mail us if you have any questions or feedback.