# Harvard Heroes ## expand\_more [Harvard Heroes](https://harvie.harvard.edu/harvard-heroes-program) is a University-wide staff recognition program that acknowledges and celebrates the significant contributions of staff members from across the University. This program is another way, in addition to our own FAS Dean’s Distinction, for us to recognize and celebrate outstanding FAS staff members. Harvard Heroes recognizes high-performing staff for the impact they have on the FAS and Harvard community based on criteria set by a University-wide advisory committee. --- ## 2026 Harvard Heroes The FAS is pleased to announce the 2026 Harvard Heroes for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Harvard Heroes is a University-wide staff recognition program that celebrates the significant contributions of staff members from across the University. This year, we recognize fifteen individuals for the FAS. Claire Adams, *History* Carol Ampey-Sullivan, *Admissions and Financial Aid* Thomas Bourgeois, *FAS Division of Science* Matt Burke, *Residential Life* Sandy Cantave Vil, *Center for Jewish Studies* Danielle da Cruz, *Human Evolutionary Biology* Kara Fili, *Admissions and Financial Aid* Luis Guerrero, *Dumbarton Oaks* Krishna Lewis, *Hutchins Center for African and African American Research* Dominic Mao, *Science Education Office* James McKenna, *Office of Physical Resources and Planning* John Orphanos, *Manager of Classroom Video Production Operations* Deana Reardon, *Chemistry and Chemical Biology* Jenn Segawa, *Center for Brain Science* Katherine Veach, *First-Year Academic Program* Open all sections Close all sections ### Eligibility Criteria for FAS Staff expand\_more - Staff must be an administrative/professional, support, or hourly Harvard employee - At least one year of benefits-eligible service. - Assistant coaches are eligible. - Job grade levels 47 through 60\* Head coaches are not eligible. Less than Half Time (LHT) staff and temps are also not eligible. Staff must be Harvard employees at the time of the celebration event to be honored. \*Nominated staff over grade 60 require Dean approval. ### Harvard Heroes Nomination and Selection Criteria expand\_more **Navigating the New World of Work**. Utilizes creative strategies to adapt to changing roles and responsibilities in the Dynamic Work environment. Effectively communicates and collaborates with colleagues across the organization. Exhibits resilience and embraces the unknowns of an evolving workplace. **Embracing Change**. Takes initiative to seize the opportunities that change represents; demonstrates flexibility and adaptability. Helps others anticipate change, envision the future, and meet transitional challenges. Helps Harvard adapt to new and emerging realities while preserving what is most valuable. **Citizenship and Community**. Outstanding citizenship at either the local or University level. Takes action to build or strengthen a caring, connected University community. Makes Harvard a great place to work, teach, and learn. **Fostering an Environment of Inclusion and Belonging**. Makes Harvard safe, respectful, and welcoming for everyone. Takes actions to increase diversity, challenges exclusionary attitudes, actions, or results. **Leadership and Management**. Communicates the vision and mission of the organization and translates them into actionable goals. Develops, coaches, and motivates diverse individuals and teams. Promotes a positive culture of engagement within the immediate team and across the organization. **Mission and Values.** Contributes directly to Harvard’s mission of teaching and research; exemplifies integrity and truth (*veritas*). Reflects and contributes to Harvard’s excellence. **One Harvard**. Makes “One Harvard” a reality by spanning boundaries, removing barriers, and reducing divides between people, teams, and departments. Exemplifies cross-University cooperation and collaboration. Develops and shares resources, approaches and solutions that benefit the whole University. **Service Excellence**. Provides outstanding service to faculty, staff, students, or departments. **Stewardship**. Maintains mission, quality, service, or safety while improving efficiency or reducing costs. Protects the University and its people from risk or harm. **Sustainability**. Contributing to Harvard's sustainability commitment. Fostering collaboration, inspiring others, building scalable solutions. **Teamwork**. Being a valued teammate, colleague, collaborator, or partner. Going above and beyond to make the jobs of others easier. Shares knowledge, expertise, and information generously. “Pitches in” to get the job done. **Innovation/Continuous Improvement**. Finds new ways to do things better; uses innovative methods, approaches, technology, or information to work smarter or more effectively. Challenges existing paradigms and assumptions; sees alternative ways to view or define challenges. Develops innovative solutions to problems large or small. ### Nomination Process: Keep in Mind expand\_more - **Nominees from all grade levels should be considered.** This is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of support staff from across the FAS. - In your nomination, please explain why this staff member meets the criteria for Harvard Heroes. Use concrete examples that connect to the criteria. More information on [how to write a compelling nomination](https://hr.fas.harvard.edu/writing-compelling-nomination) is available. - Since the nomination form does not allow you to “save” your work, **we suggest that you write your nomination narrative in a separate Word document, and then copy and paste the text into the online nomination form**. Nomination narratives should be **between 500 and 2,500 characters in length**, including spaces. - After completing the nomination form, click "Submit" and you will see a confirmation notice. ### Resources for Harvard Heroes - [Writing a Compelling Nomination](https://hr.fas.harvard.edu/writing-compelling-nomination) - [Dean's Distinction vs. Harvard Heroes](https://hr.fas.harvard.edu/writing-compelling-nomination) - [Sample Winning Nominations](https://harvie.harvard.edu/file_url/455) - [Previous Harvard Heroes from the FAS](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/FAS-HR-Programs/IQAJL7uEf8H7RYPSy_EKT2Z8Aa7UxA8Ex9Gvn-Eb48GXUeg?e=LOhYKu) ![Ivy-colored wall](/sites/g/files/omnuum746/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-04/IvyWall.jpg?itok=wW58xRWU) ### Help and Questions If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Annie McGough ([amcgough@fas.harvard.edu](mailto:///amcgough@fas.harvard.edu)) or [hr\_programs@fas.harvard.edu](mailto:///hr_programs@fas.harvard.edu). ![Entrance to Harvard Yard](/sites/g/files/omnuum746/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/fas-hr/files/heem-event-page-photo-1536x1152_0.jpg?itok=ewbN9gtd)