The Governor's Awards for Excellence Program is designed to acknowledge and express appreciation for outstanding accomplishments that do not fall entirely within the scope of normal duties, but are in the nature of a major contribution reflecting credit on the person and State service.  The meritorious service or accomplishment is so singularly outstanding that special recognition is justified.

Employees are nominated for the award by other state employees including their supervisors, co-workers and subordinates. Detailed nomination information is outlined below. Recipients of the award may receive time off for their award under the State's Special Leave policy   See also State Employee Awards for Excellence Policy.

All nominations must be submitted through the agency/university coordinator of the state employee being nominated. Nomination forms missing any of the required signatures will be returned to the agency. If this delay causes a nomination to miss the state deadline, it will be disqualified.

Awards are presented in five categories:

• Outstanding State Government - Exhibited unselfish devotion to duty far and above the normal requirements and has contributed significantly to the advancement of state service to the citizens of North Carolina.
• Innovations - Initiated fruitful study and investigation or has successfully established new and outstanding methods, practices, plans or designs (such as pioneering or research and development work in administration, engineering, productivity, agriculture, medicine, natural resources, the social sciences, etc.).
• Public Service - Made outstanding contributions by participating in or implementing community and public service projects (such as volunteering with various non-profit organizations).
• Safety and Heroism - Demonstrated outstanding judgment or courage in an emergency, voluntarily risking his/her life, or exhibited meritorious action to prevent injury, loss of life or prevented damage to or loss of property.
• Human Relations - Made outstanding contributions toward enhancing the quality and morale of the workplace or creating a better public image of state government (such as positive personal interaction with other employees; public awareness; working on relations internally within an agency; or collaboration between different agencies).

Qualifying Employees

Nominees must be permanent State employees, including managers and administrators, who are Subject to the Personnel Act (SPA). Universities have the option to include faculty and administrators who are Exempt from the Personnel Act (EPA). This program does not include elected officials, university chancellors or employees with the public school or local community college systems. Nominees should have made major contributions reflecting credit on themselves and State service. The services or accomplishments must be so outstanding that special recognition is justified.