The Employee Recognition Awards Program’s intent is to recognize employees that strengthen the Facilities Management team through remarkable contributions and performance.
Brian has been a great addition to the PAC shop and does a great job covering the Coleman building. He is always willing to help out our athletic facilities and game ops staff when we need advice or struggling with an issue. He has great customer service as he always comes by and asks if we need anything or if there are any issues in the building that he needs to be aware of. He goes above and beyond to help us every day and makes sure we are all set with our upcoming events. We greatly appreciate Brian’s work here at UNCG!
1st Shift Matt Kirkman
Matt has continuously gone above and beyond what his job lists. His ability to work with a variety of individuals, whether on the campus facilities side or with our coaches and staff. His number one priority is doing the job and doing it to the best of his ability, regardless of the situation. He is the epitome of a team player and doing the right thing because it is the right thing. This University, our department is so lucky to have someone like him on staff.
2nd/3rd Shift Kristian Rodriquez-Mckinney
This team has taken on added responsibilities without complaint. They have taken ownership of the areas they have taken on. They have cleaned and organized the supply areas as well as removed spiderwebs and dust to ensure a clean and safe environment for the customers. They work well together to accomplish their goals.
Kristian Rodriquez-Mckinney is an incredible housekeeper. He has been working on our hallway for a long time and we have grown to trust him and treasure him as an integral part of our lives and work. The recent changes in organization have made him less visible but we have long appreciated his dedication to his work and the way he values UNCG and its people. He does an amazing job of cleaning but more than that, he is an incredible human being who we are fortunate to have as part of our workplace.
2nd/3rd Shift Thomas Howell
Thomas goes out of his way to do exceptional work. The housekeeping restructure did not stop Thomas (and team) from continuing to provide top level service to our building; he always goes beyond just what he must get done. He once had to take over cleaning for a teammate that was helping at a different building while continuing his own tasks, and Thomas still went above and beyond dusting and cleaning EVERYTHING! Thomas regularly collects left behind expo markers that fall behind the white boards so they can be re-circulated for use (saving the department some money). Thomas also is very good about communicating with us to let us know when something needs repair or replaced – he will often let us know before our own faculty has time to report things, which is nice to be able to report that the issue is already being addressed. Thomas is also easy to communicate with when we need to let the housekeeping staff know about a problem we are finding – he immediately tries to help us. It is great to have someone like Thomas that is dedicated to doing outstanding work no matter what the task may be, and he deserves recognition for his hard work.
Teamwork and Collaboration
1st Shift Matt Nelson
Matthew A. Nelson, FCAP Manager, Buildings & Trades, is nominated for the 2026 Teamwork and Collaboration Award for his leadership in converting campus life safety and security lines from AT&T legacy analog service to Granite Telecommunications’ cellular service. His work avoided significant cost increases while improving the reliability of emergency communications in University-owned buildings. Between April 2025 and January 2026, Matt led the successful cutover of 105 elevator and area of rescue phones and played a key role in transitioning critical fire alarm lines. He coordinated contractors, ITS, Police, Life Safety, HRL, and multiple Facilities Operations groups, overcoming technical challenges with determination and creativity. His leadership contributed to the successful deployment of 191 life safety lines on 88 Granite EPIK devices across 86 buildings, significantly reducing inoperative elevator phones and delivering lasting benefits to the University community.
2nd/3rd Shift Briona Siler
Briona stepped up to help a fellow employee by willingly working with them and team cleaning their routine. This allowed the employee to shift hours to better handle a personal situation which has allowed the employee to flourish in her role and team. This act of kind selflessness is why our team is so successful! Thank you, Briona.
How THE AWARD PROGRAM Works:
Awards will be given for Customer Service, Safety, and Teamwork and Collaboration. Individual nominations may be submitted by any UNC Greensboro affiliate. However, please not that Students may not submit nominations.
It will be the responsibility of Facilities managers, supervisors, and the committee members to promote the Employee Recognition Awards Program throughout Facilities and the campus community.
Note: All award categories are individual nominations. Team efforts will be recognized publicly at the Awards Event. Certificates will be awarded in these instances per review of the committee
The following will be given to each award winner:
Framed Certificate of Recognition
Notation in Campus Weekly/Facilities Operations newsletter
Gift card
The committee will consist of representatives from each area or shop within Facilities. The committee is made up of both volunteers and appointments totaling 11 people including the chair. Area and Shop representatives will serve 3 year terms, with no more than 50% of the committee rotating during a calendar year. New terms shall be consistent with the beginning of the calendar year.
Committee Responsibilities: The Employee Awards Committee is charged with the following duties. The chair of the employee awards committee will be responsible for working with the appropriate departments or individuals to assure the following:
Funding from AVC of Facilities is requested to cover the cost of the recognition awards and ceremony.
The appropriate personnel are contacted to make arrangements for the awards event.
The committee shall review and rank nominations for the following awards: o Customer Service Award o Safety o Teamwork and Collaboration
Create and award certificates to the successful nominees during the awards event. The Selection Form will include comments and recommendations submitted through Nomination Forms. Nominees will only be identified by a number given by the chair or designee.
Nominations are accepted from any UNC Greensboro employee or contractor.
Nomination forms including a short narrative are submitted to the chair via web, email or hard copy.
Nominations should be submitted as soon as possible, but at least 15 business days before the recognition event to ensure it is reviewed. Nominations are welcome anytime!
Nominations are forwarded to the nominee’s immediate supervisor for review and signature.
Nominations are compiled onto a ballot form by chair or designee.
The Employee Awards Program Committee shall review and rank nominations.
The committee chairperson tallies the nominations and presents committee recommendations to the nominee’s Department Director for review and approval.
Details about each award and What WINNERS Demonstrate:
This award is presented to individuals who demonstrate remarkable positive and professional interaction with fellow employees as well as the university community.
THE CRITERIA
Must be a permanent full or part time Facilities employee including Facilities Operations, FDC, EH&S, Sustainability or HUB.
Should have no disciplinary actions recorded within the last six months.
WINNERS Demonstrated a combination of the following:
Building Commitment- going the extra mile and demonstrating pride in work and/or demonstrating leadership and accountability.
Communicating Effectively – politely and diplomatically setting clear service expectations, providing consistent and accurate information to the client, volunteering value added services/information, and/or keeping clients apprised of waiting times for provision of service.
Demonstrates creativity or resourcefulness in assisting customers
This award is to acknowledge outstanding contributions by University Facilities employees in establishing and maintaining high standards of occupational safety and health activities and achievements within the university
the criteria
Must be a permanent full or part time Facilities employee including Facilities Operations, FDC, EH&S, Sustainability or HUB.
Should have no disciplinary actions recorded within the last six months.
Must have no accidents (with exception of Band-Aid cases) recorded during period.
WINNERS Demonstrated a combination of the following:
Demonstrating significant improvement over previous conditions.
Making an extra effort to improve or correct a specific aspect of safety within the workplace.
Employee properly uses all personal protection and safety equipment.
An individual who keeps their work environment neat, clean and safe.
An individual who stands out and leads by example by practicing good safety techniques.
This award is to acknowledge outstanding contributions by Facilities employees who have worked together in an exceptional manner to perform an assigned task. This employee has performed beyond the scope of their regular day-to-day job duties and responsibilities.
the criteria
Must be a permanent full or part time Facilities employee.
Should have no disciplinary actions recorded within the last six months.
WINNERS Demonstrated a combination of the following:
Solicited the input of others who are affected by plans or actions.
Listened to all points of view.
Found areas of agreement when working with conflicting individuals or groups and built consensus.
Identified and pushed for solutions in which all parties benefited.
Demonstrated concern for treating people fairly and equitably.
Gave credit to and recognized others who contributed.
Kept all relevant individuals and groups informed and up-to-date.
Readily got cooperation of others for whom he or she had no direct supervisory responsibility.
Took into account the university as a whole when making or recommending decisions.
