The President’s Staff Recognition Awards aim to recognise individuals and teams who, in their daily work, consistently perform to excellent standards thus making outstanding contributions to DCU and its community and who, over a sustained period of time, have a major positive impact on the University Community. All currently employed staff members within the DCU Community are eligible for nomination.

Speaking at the event, President of DCU Professor Dáire Keogh said: 

“These awards are an expression of gratitude for the wonderful work of DCU’s professional staff. You are at the heart of our DCU Community. Your work is key to our mission ‘to transform lives and societies’.”

The award recipients are listed below, along with a quote from their nomination applications.

Outstanding Contribution - Margaret Brock, Business School

"Margaret pioneers a transformative experience for our students by ensuring our international mobility agreements and arrangements are managed effectively. In
terms of DCU value and culture, we can find in Margaret someone who cares for our student-centred approach, and also for the collegiality which distinguishes our way of working. Her work is of the highest standard and she makes us academics look good. I have heard more than once, colleagues saying that we should have more than one Margaret!"

Outstanding Contribution - Orla Dawson, School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education

"Orla is the ‘go to’ person for many staff in the Faculty. She is a tremendous asset to the School and we all deeply value her integrity, commitment, humour, empathy, enthusiasm, and support. Orla is a highly organised and committed School Assistant who promotes whole team participation and engagement in school meetings and social events and plans and prepares kind gestures for staff who may be experiencing important life events, be they joyous or tragic. She quietly but very diligently brings people together and reminds us of the value of being part of a team and school community. When I think of DCU, I think of good, fun, kind, hard-working, innovative and committed colleagues like Orla."

Leadership - Deirdre Reynolds, Human Resources

"In recent months, Deirdre has stepped up within the team as a manager and has operated on her own in this regard within the ‘Ops team’. Despite the many challenges the team has faced she has exuded patience, kindness and has been and is continuously selfless with her time. She consistently drives the team to ensure we ‘Value and Develop our Staff and Community’. She thinks outside the box and encourages us to do this both individually and as a team, she empowers us to think creatively and to be solution focused."

Team Achievement - SIS Team, SIS Programme

"The team works long days (and nights) to ensure that deadlines are met with the best quality they can deliver. They exude professionalism in every interaction and strive every day to transform lives and societies with this approach. They are a remarkable team of talented individuals who take on challenges with a solution first attitude. DCU are very lucky to have such a diverse set of skills and personalities striving to bring the DCU transformation to life."