DFA is introducing a new employee recognition initiative called the Challenge Coin Award Program. The initial pilot will launch this spring with further refinements occurring over the summer. A full roll-out of the program will begin in fall 2026.
Nominations must be received by April 24.
Why are we making changes to the DFA Award program?
Based on our experience with previous employee award programs and the feedback we have received, our goal for the Challenge Coin Program is to streamline the nomination process, publicly and meaningfully recognize winners and ensure that recipients are selected in a fair and equitable way.
Phase one of this program will be piloted this spring and the first Challenge Coins will be presented at the DFA All-Staff Meeting on May 13.
The review committee will continue to refine the program over the summer before a full roll-out this coming fall. Our intention is for Challenge Coins to be awarded and presented by leadership throughout the year, with acknowledgment and recognition of all winners occurring at the DFA All-Staff Meeting each spring.
What are the nomination criteria?
In order to win, nominees should demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas over the past 12 months:
- Aligning or allocating resources to support high‑impact research
- Integrating AI or emerging technologies into administrative processes
- Structuring resources to support student success
- Improving efficiency and effectiveness through process improvement
- Enhancing student safety, well‑being, or inclusiveness
- Fostering a positive, inclusive work environment
- Building collaboration with external partners
- Advancing environmentally sustainable operations and practices
Who can nominate an employee to receive a Challenge Coin?
Anyone may nominate and all DFA employees are eligible to win. Please limit your nomination to work and accomplishments that occured in the past 12 months.
Each DFA unit or functional area will receive a specific number of awards based on unit size.
- Strategy and Operations (2 coins)
- Public Safety (3 coins)
- UHR (4 coins)
- Finance (3 coins)
- Facilities Planning and Management (4 coins)
How will winners be announced?
A review team will choose the winners and submit them to the Senior Leadership Team for approval. Managers and leadership in each unit will present the winners with a Challenge Coin.
All winners will be recognized and celebrated each year at the DFA Spring All-Staff Meeting.
Spring 2026 Review Team
- Andrea McDaniel, Chair
- Greg Balck
- Claudia Hamilton
- Stephanie Harrison
- Mark Zandonella
Submit your nomination by April 24
See you at the DFA All Staff Meeting on May 13!