---
title: "Nominate Today: The Terrapin Innovation & MVP Impact Awards"
date: 2024-10-04T00:00:00-04:00
canonical_url: "https://provost.umd.edu/news/nominate-today-the-terrapin-innovation-mvp-impact-awards"
section: News
---
# Nominate Today: The Terrapin Innovation & MVP Impact Awards

*October 4, 2024*
> The Terrapin Innovation Award and the MVP Impact Award are now open for nomination to recognize our talented and innovative staff. We are excited to share that these awards will be granted again in early 2025. 

Dear colleagues,

Staff-focused initiatives that support the work of our *Fearlessly Forward* strategic plan to [**invest in people and communities**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=fee84ab40a673d96d07d7274fb7c54937a5fd667436f2cb8aea7b9416b1e5a96a8a85b7992ee8eda57209f23b06c6404fac73671c14bd1b4) remain a top priority for the University of Maryland. Our goal is to create a workplace where staff thrive through new opportunities to learn, lead and advance, and are recognized for their talents and contributions.

Over the past year and a half, we have made progress in developing programs centered around recognition, career advancement, and professional development. An example of that progress are The [**Terrapin Innovation Award and MVP Impact Awards**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=fee84ab40a673d96aa1f08bc1f1051b149c215c5198344773c2e6390970601aa753dfbd2015d40c5b2f4b380dee61353b8fa35c5ec213089). This past February, we celebrated the inaugural winners of these awards at a special ceremony, affording our university a unique way to recognize our talented and innovative staff. We are excited to share that these awards will be granted again in early 2025!

**The Awards Process**

University Human Resources is pleased to announce that the [**Terrapin Innovation Award and the MVP Impact Award**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=fee84ab40a673d96aa1f08bc1f1051b149c215c5198344773c2e6390970601aa753dfbd2015d40c5b2f4b380dee61353b8fa35c5ec213089) are now open for nominations! Recipients of these awards will be honored at a reception in early 2025, each receiving a $1,000 cash award.

- The [**Terrapin Innovation Award**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=fee84ab40a673d96f48303968b3593ccf502d56fe023a1e9a5bd487dedee297df01514dc0fe7407cda9db2db327cfec71f51974975415ab3) recognizes staff members for new ideas - either implemented or still in the “idea” stage - that capture the spirit of moving Fearlessly Forward with innovative and creative thinking that benefits their unit, department or the university.
- The [**MVP Impact Award**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=fee84ab40a673d965b9de58523aafc86d75926de128f7aeddf04f59f2ee3641b98d19e1d6fc86b69b0bd100b1a8df86874b47d159036309d) recognizes staff members who, over the past year, have demonstrated a Fearlessly Forward attitude of excellence, remarkable service and outstanding contributions that benefited their unit, department or the university.

Let’s invest in each other! We encourage everyone to take a moment and nominate yourself or a colleague. A slide deck for nominators and printable flyers and nomination forms in multiple languages are available on the [**UHR website**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=fee84ab40a673d96aa1f08bc1f1051b149c215c5198344773c2e6390970601aa753dfbd2015d40c5b2f4b380dee61353b8fa35c5ec213089). **Please also join us on October 9 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for a Power Hour to learn about the nomination process, how to write a stand-out nomination, and to have any questions answered by UHR.** [**Register for the Zoom Power Hour.**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=fee84ab40a673d960a829ea015405ef97c990486003f07cbd7e1eada4a8b7eafb5b02a165c439def3f345aa6f49621945de4fa07611f4e4a)

**Nominations for both awards are due by October 31, 2024**.

We are energized by the collective efforts across campus, helping us advance our work to invest in people, their well-being, and growth, thereby creating the conditions that support their ability to fully participate and thrive in our UMD community.

Sincerely,

**Jennifer King Rice**  
*Senior Vice President and Provost*  
She/Her/Hers

**Bob Reuning**  
*Interim Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer*  
He/Him/His

**Patricia A. Perillo**  
*Vice President for Student Affairs*  
She/Her/Hers

**Georgina Dodge**  
*Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion*  
She/Her/Hers