Recognition
Small moments of care, steady collaboration, and bold ideas shape Residential Life. We celebrate Student Staff, Professional Staff, and Faculty-in-Residence who bring our mission and values to life.
Quarterly Awards
Community Builder Award
Eligible: Student Staff, Professional Staff, Faculty-in-Residence
For creating an environment where everyone thrives together. This award honors individuals who bring people together, build connections, and foster a sense of belonging. Through their dedication to collaboration and inclusivity, they transform spaces into communities. They don’t just build connections—they create a place where everyone feels at home.
Team Player Award
Eligible: Student Staff, Professional Staff, Faculty-in-Residence
For being the foundation others can depend on. This award recognizes individuals who take responsibility, hold themselves and others accountable, and uplift those around them. They are the steady force that ensures success through teamwork and integrity. Whether stepping up in times of need or consistently supporting others, they embody trust, reliability, and collaboration.
Trailblazer Award
Eligible: Student Staff, Professional Staff, Faculty-in-Residence
For seeing possibilities where others see obstacles. This award honors individuals who transform challenges into opportunities through innovative thinking and bold action. They don’t just adapt to change—they drive it. By challenging conventional approaches and introducing fresh perspectives, they inspire excellence and push us forward. Their leadership doesn’t just solve today’s problems—it shapes the future.
Blue and Gold Award
Eligible: Student Staff, Professional Staff, Faculty-in-Residence
For staff whose contribution aligns with departmental priorities of the year including investing in holistic wellness, deepening collaborations for greater impact, and leveraging data and creativity to transform Residential Life's work.
Length of Service Award
Eligible: Professional Staff
For staff for their years of dedicated service to Residential Life, celebrated at five-year milestones.
4.0 GPA Award
Eligible: Student Staff
For achieving academic success while serving our residential community. This award honors individuals who received a 4.0 in a previous quarter while employed with Residential Life.
Annual Awards
Dr. Alan L. Hanson Academic Integration Award
Eligible: Student Staff
Established in 2003 upon the retirement of Dr. Alan L. Hanson, Director Emeritus of the Office of Residential Life, this award honors his nearly four decades (1965-2003) of leadership in bridging the academic and residential experiences of UCLA students. Dr. Hanson’s vision and dedication led to the creation of transformative residential programs, including the Faculty-in-Residence program, Theme Housing (Living Learning Communities), tutoring and counseling services, computer labs, Educational Program Grants, and Academic Workshops. His legacy also includes bringing distinguished faculty into residential spaces to teach seminars and lectures, enriching students’ learning beyond the classroom. This award recognizes individuals who continue to advance his mission of integrating academic engagement into the residential experience.
Dr. Robert M. Stevenson Faculty-in-Residence Award
Eligible: Faculty-in-Residence
Named in honor of Dr. Robert M. Stevenson, affectionately known as “Doc,” this award recognizes a current Faculty-in-Residence who has made outstanding contributions to the residential community. Dr. Stevenson dedicated over thirty years to the Faculty-in-Residence program, playing a pivotal role in its growth and development. His commitment to student engagement and academic enrichment helped shape the program into what it is today. This award celebrates faculty members who embody his spirit of mentorship, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to enhancing the student experience through meaningful academic and community engagement.
Jack Gibbons’ “Eggs in the Basket” Award
Eligible: Professional Staff
Jack Gibbons retired from Residential Life in June 2014 after an illustrious career with the UCLA and Residential Life spanning 36 years. Throughout his career, Jack spoke of the importance of not putting “all your eggs in one basket”. He believed and modeled what it meant to lead a balanced life – a life of wellness. Jack also served in leadership roles both on the UCLA campus and in numerous student affairs professional organizations, showing his ability to build a legacy of service outside of his department.
In his honor, this award will be given to a Residential Life professional staff member who:
- Demonstrates an ability to balance professional and personal responsibilities and activities.
- Encourages others to live a balance life.
- Takes on leadership roles inside and outside of the department in the UCLA community, in the greater Los Angeles community, or in professional student affairs organizations.
Community Builder Award
Eligible: Student Staff, Professional Staff, Faculty-in-Residence
For creating an environment where everyone thrives together. This award honors individuals who bring people together, build connections, and foster a sense of belonging. Through their dedication to collaboration and inclusivity, they transform spaces into communities. They don’t just build connections—they create a place where everyone feels at home.
Team Player Award
Eligible: Student Staff, Professional Staff, Faculty-in-Residence
For being the foundation others can depend on. This award recognizes individuals who take responsibility, hold themselves and others accountable, and uplift those around them. They are the steady force that ensures success through teamwork and integrity. Whether stepping up in times of need or consistently supporting others, they embody trust, reliability, and collaboration.
Trailblazer Award
Eligible: Student Staff, Professional Staff, Faculty-in-Residence
For seeing possibilities where others see obstacles. This award honors individuals who transform challenges into opportunities through innovative thinking and bold action. They don’t just adapt to change—they drive it. By challenging conventional approaches and introducing fresh perspectives, they inspire excellence and push us forward. Their leadership doesn’t just solve today’s problems—it shapes the future.
How it works
Nominate. Anyone in the Residential Life community (students, staff, FIRs, campus partners) may submit a nomination for the Community Builder, Team Player, and Trailblazer Awards—self-nominations welcome. Other Awards are limited to Residential Life Professional Staff nominators.
Review. The Recognition Committee scores nominations and selects awardees.
Celebrate. We honor recipients at events, in department communications, on this page, and at year-end gatherings.
Have someone in mind? Nominate a ResLife community member!
What makes a strong nomination?
- Mission & values in action: Describe specific behaviors that reflect our mission and RAISE values.
- Impact: Explain what changed for students, staff, or the community. Include outcomes, numbers, or testimonials.
- Evidence: Provide 1–3 concrete examples and attach supporting materials (if needed).
- Suggested length: 200–300 words (Blue & Gold 100 words)
Eligibility & timelines
- Who can be nominated? Current Student Staff, Professional Staff, and FIRs/teams within Residential Life.
- Who can nominate? Students, staff, FIRs, campus partners; self-nominations accepted.
- Quarterly Award cadence: Nominations open Weeks 6–7; selections announced around Week 10.
- Annual Award cadence: Opens May 1, closes May 15; recipients announced June 1 or at a final meeting.
Questions?
Email recognition@orl.ucla.edu
Ready to lift someone up?