Category: Awards

2026 Government Productivity Award winners announced

Professor of Entomology Jawwad Qureshi, Ph.D., and the UF Facilities Services team have each been awarded a 2026 Florida Government Productivity Award and were recently recognized at a ceremony in Tallahassee on Sept. 1.

The Florida Government Productivity Awards annually recognize state employees who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to creating innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and effectiveness in public service.

This year, ten awards were presented to individuals and teams throughout Florida for their achievements in innovation and productivity improvements. UF’s award-winners each received a plaque and cash award in recognition of their dedication and success in creating value for both the state of Florida and the University of Florida. It is an honor to celebrate their accomplishments.

UFIC awards nominations due Oct. 9

Previous U F I C awardees posing for a group photo with their certificates.

The UF International Center, or UFIC, is accepting nominations for the International Educator of the Year and Global Learning Excellence Awards.

Superior Accomplishment Award nominations due Oct. 23

Know someone at UF who has gone above and beyond? Nominate them for a Superior Accomplishment Award! Now in its 38th year, the awards program recognizes faculty and staff who have contributed outstanding service.

UF receives 2026 Heiskell Award

U F sculpture featuring a Gator on a Globe, seen from below, with a tree and campus buildings in the background

UF received a 2026 Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education for Collaborative Online International Learning/Virtual Exchange for Staff.

Congratulations to our August UF at Play winners!

Matt Terza's brother-in-law ascending on a free dive in the Jug spring/Blue hole at Ichetucknee State Park.

During this year’s UF at Play summer photo contest, we received a record total of over 675 submissions. Thank you to all who participated – we hope the summer season gave you ample opportunity to rest, explore and get inspired for a great year ahead.

Our winners for the month of August are Department of Agronomy Assistant Professor Pawel Petelewicz, Ph.D., for Nature, UF Research End User Computing Specialist Matt Pickett for Travel, Applied Physiology and Kinesiology Senior Lecturer Matt Terza, Ph.D., for Daily Life and Pharmacy Clinical Associate Professor Lindsey Childs-Kean, Pharm.D., for People’s Choice.

Congratulations to our winners! Read on to learn more about this month’s winning photographs, and visit our Facebook page to view the full album.

Congratulations to our July UF at Play winners!

A small figure standing under a large natural arch in Arches National Park, captured by Doctor Pedro Cruz, Research and Development Manager at the Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease

Our winners for the month of June are Child Protection Team Clinical Programs Coordinator Nancy Day for Nature, CTRND Research and Development Manager Pedro Cruz, Ph.D., for Travel, UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent Mary Lee Sale for Daily Life and Environmental and Global Health Graduate Assistant Fevi Paro for People’s Choice.

A cornerstone for character

Benice Ylagen smiling while holding a Superior Accomplishment Award certificate. Two coworkers join her for a selfie, also smiling and pointing toward her.

Over the past two years, UF Emergency Medicine has seen a profound transformation in its faculty recruitment and retention strategy thanks to Benice Ylagan.

Congratulations to our June UF at Play winners!

Tall skyscrapers in Seattle, with Mt. Rainier in the background.

We’ve received some incredible photographs for our UF at Play summer photo contest, which runs now through Aug. 16.

Our winners for the month of June are Psychology Postdoctoral Associate Jamie Donenfeld, Ph.D., for Nature, Veterinary Medicine CSR Amie Hernandez for Travel, Learning and Assessment Center SP-GTA Deborah Witham for Daily Life and Emergency Medicine Administrative Specialist Kimberly Evers for People’s Choice.

Congratulations to our winners! Visit our Facebook page to view the full album, and submit your photos today for a chance to win a prize.

Last call for Productivity Awards nominations

The awards honor state employees for their innovative and cost-saving accomplishments as well as the measurable contributions, increased productivity and added value of individuals and teams.

Congratulations to our May UF at Play winners!

Brenda Such surrounded by Hawaii’s majestic Banyan tree.

We’ve received some incredible photographs for our UF at Play summer photo contest, which runs now through Aug. 16.

Our winners for the month of May are UF Veterinary Medicine Professor Emeritus Tom Wronski, Ph.D., for Nature, UF HOBI IT Director Erik Schmidt for Travel, UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent Michael Sipos for Daily Life and UF COIP Associate Director Brenda Such, Ph.D., for People’s Choice.

Congratulations to our winners! Visit our Facebook page to view the full album, and submit your photos today for a chance to win a prize.