Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence

Warning message

Submissions for this form are closed.

Congratulations to the 2022 Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence Honorees!

Award Recipient

  • Jenette Whitener, Patient Care Technical Associate, Michigan Medicine

Award Finalists

  • Ronda Abrigo, Executive Secretary, U-M College of Literature, Science & Arts
  • Lisa Kisabeth, Department Administrator, U-M College of Engineering
  • Kimberly Mann, Business Administrator Senior, U-M College of Engineering
  • Savannah Williams, Research Lab Specialist Senior, U-M Life Sciences Institute

More information about the 2022 award is planned for June.

A call for nominations for the 2023 award is planned for this fall. 

Do you know a member of the staff who delivers exceptional support? Show your appreciation for their efforts with a nomination for the Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence.

New this year, the monetary award has been doubled to $1000! 

About the Award

The Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence recognizes University of Michigan staff members whose commitment to excellence, teamwork, and a supportive environment make the university a great place to work.

Candy Johnson, a long-time staff member in the Office of the Provost, was dedicated to U-M and the people who support and further its mission. Candy strove for excellence and inspired others to do the same. She recognized the gifts and talents of her office colleagues and was unfailingly supportive of them. When Candy passed away in 2003, the provost’s office chose to honor her contributions to U-M by establishing this award in her memory. A $1000 award and a certificate are presented annually by the Office of the Provost. Gifts from Candy’s friends and colleagues support the award.

The Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for Excellence recognizes staff members who, like Candy, are a positive influence in the workplace. We invite nominations of people who truly make a difference in their office. All regular staff members on the Ann Arbor campus and at Michigan Medicine are eligible. Staff may be nominated by colleagues or supervisors or a combination of the two.

Questions about the award? Please ask via email

Make a Nomination