The Career Collaborator Awards are an annual award nomination process where faculty and staff across the UNC Charlotte campus can nominate their peers for one of the Career Center's awards, which include the The Game Changer Award and The Innovator Award. The Spotlight Awards come from Career Coach nominations, and winners are promoted in the monthly Career Center Circular newsletter.
The Game Changer Award showcases faculty and staff who challenge students to consider life outside of academics - what’s next after college. They accomplish the following:
- Create departmental programming/resources to aid in career development education and awareness with students
- Encourage students to get involved in experiential learning (i.e., campus activities, internships, job shadowing, mentorship, gig-tern training, etc.)
- Invite employers/professionals/alumni into the classroom and/or program to connect with students
- Integrate career development into academic courses and/or programmatic structures
The Innovator Award highlights faculty and staff who create and implement new programming, events, resources, etc. in an effort to support the career development of students. They partner with the Career Center on new event initiatives (i.e., Career Meet Up, practice interviews, employer/alumni engagement, etc.). Additionally, they create internal, departmental programming/resources to aid in career development education and awareness.
The Spotlight Award celebrates faculty and staff who partner with the Career Center on programs, events, and initiatives. Each of these faculty and staff serve in each of the Career Center's Career Community areas.
Winning a Career Collaborator award is a remarkable achievement that recognizes excellence and dedication to students' career development at UNC Charlotte. When a faculty or staff member wins an award, they are no longer eligible for the same award they have already received. This ensures that new voices and fresh perspectives receive the recognition they deserve with each academic year. If you have any questions about the nomination process, please reach out to Dr. Suzanne Voigt.
