Empower Alaska Incentive Program Launched
April 4, 2025
The News: UA has launched the Empower Alaska Incentive Program — a new pilot initiative offering financial recognition for employees who go above and beyond.
- Zoom Out: The Board of Regents directed UA leadership to develop a pilot recognition program in response to employee feedback in last year’s engagement survey, and to recognize outstanding work by employees in support of our mission.
Why It Matters: UA employees across the system are doing amazing work — and this program will help us identify, recognize, and elevate some of that work and its impacts.
Quick Program Overview:
- Who can be nominated: Regular, benefit-eligible employees with at least 6 months of service.
- Who can nominate: Any UA employee — including yourself.
- Award amounts: $100–$1,000 per award. Four $5,000 Grand Prizes are also on the table.
What Gets Recognized:
- Innovation that improves operations
- Exceptional service to students
- Actions that reflect the values of the Regents’ Roadmap to Empower Alaska
How to nominate: Write a short summary of what the employee did — and the outcome — and send it to their supervisor or HR coordinator. They’ll take it from there.
- Email a brief description of the employee’s contributions and outcomes to their supervisor or HRC.
- Submit nominations for UA Foundation and UAS Employees by using the appropriate Google Form rather than the Nomination Form.
- Supervisors and/or HRCs complete the Nomination Form for review, approval, and awarding.
- Nominations are reviewed and approved by supervisors and university leadership, with award funds allocated across each MAU.
Deadline to watch: Submit nominations by May 15 for Grand Prize consideration.
- Worth noting: All nominations require supervisor approval and are reviewed by leadership. Funds are distributed across each university.
Need help? Check out the Incentive Program website, or contact your local HR coordinator.