VCU’s people are the university’s greatest resource, and our strategic plan commits to a Culture of Appreciation throughout the university. Appreciation takes many forms.....whether it's thanking a colleague, formal recognition and awards, or personal growth opportunities and perks, there's something for everyone.
Recognition
Recognize a colleague: Recognize a colleague for a job well done. Your recognition results in a notification to your colleague and your colleague’s manager. See who’s been recognized.
Managers and supervisors: Recognize a member of your team Manager tools include recognition awards and informal recognition options. For guidelines, tools, resources, and no-cost or low-cost ideas, visit Inside HR See additional creative ideas.
Service Recognition: VCU formally recognizes service in five year increments, including an annual celebration in October to April, service recognition pins for employees with 5-15 years of service, and gift options for employees with 20 years or more. To watch the 2022 video featuring VCU’s 45 & 55 year service recognition recipients, and find out more about annual service recognition, visit the annual service recognition page.
Nominate a colleague for a formal award: VCU recognizes distinguished achievement through various university award programs. Find out more at recognition and awards.
Recognize our military veterans: If you are a veteran, complete the self-identification form to receive a special VCU lapel pin including an emblem for the military branch in which you served. If you know of a colleague or team member who is a veteran, encourage them to self-identify and display the lapel pin. The VCU community is enthusiastic about thanking our veterans, so make yourself known! Our student veterans appreciate connecting with those who share similar experiences, so you are supporting student success at the same time!
Resources and community
Network, share your achievements, and access career development opportunities: Join a career community for your interest area and attend the annual career development day. Record your career achievements in Talent@VCU and collaborate with your manager on a career development plan.
Treat yourself (or someone else) to special deals and perks: VCU faculty and staff are eligible for many special deals and discounts not available to the public. For discount codes, you will need to log in with your VCU eID and password at Work/Life at VCU employee discounts. Feel like sending flowers or a gift to a colleague who helped you out? You can use VCU’s employee discounts, but remember that gifts cannot be purchased with university funds.
Stay RamStrong! Participate in, and share information with your colleagues about, the wide variety of RamStrong programs focusing on all eight dimensions of wellness. There’s something for everyone, including online and on-campus events, wellness challenges, and financial fitness programs. VCU appreciates that a whole person, bringing your full self to work, and has programs for each dimension. There is a connection between feeling valued and being happy. A culture of wellness helps employees feel valued and appreciated because it shows that you support them both professionally and personally. It proves that you are making efforts to help them make a healthy lifestyle achievable. When employees feel that their well-being is truly cared for and valued by their company, they will feel generally happier with their jobs and employers, as well as themselves!
Give back, and share your good fortune with others. 12-month employees can use paid Community Service leave for charitable projects, and all faculty and staff can give back to over 1,000 charities via payroll deduction through the annual Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC).