The career development of students does not rest solely on the Toppel Career Center. We are fortunate to partner with amazing career champions across and beyond the University of Miami campus. The Toppel Awards were created to honor and recognize the significant achievements of others including students, student groups, administrators, faculty, employers, and recruiters.
Nominations for the 2018 Toppel Awards are open! To nominate an individual/group for a Toppel Award select the corresponding award category from the list below. Read on to learn more about the eligibility requirements for each award category.
Student of the Year (Graduate and Undergraduate)
Student Group of the Year
Distinguished Administrator
Excellence in Career Education
Employer of the Year
Recruiter of the Year
Alumna/us of the Year
Student of the Year (Graduate and Undergraduate)
The Student of the Year Award will be presented to a graduate and undergraduate student who are nominated by themself/staff/faculty/employer for their personal achievements, contributions to their organization/work site, demonstrated personal and/or professional growth, evidence of leadership, and academic record.
In order to be eligible, students must have participated in at least one semester of experiential education: internship, practicum, clinical, field work, research or student teaching.
To nominate a student click here.
Student Group of the Year
The Student Group of the Year Award will be presented to one student group for their support of the mission and values of the Toppel Career Center within the calendar year.
In order to be eligible, student groups must be Registered Student Organizations or Registered Greek Organizations at the University of Miami who have exemplified professional development and/or career awareness in their programming/philanthropic efforts.
To nominate a student group click here.
Distinguished Administrator
The Distinguished Administrator Award will be presented to an administrator for making a significant, positive contribution to the university and for promoting professional and career development among University of Miami students through collaborative efforts.
Nominees should meet a majority of the following criteria:
- Developing career-mindedness in students
- High quality of information and advice
- Outstanding support of students and the Toppel Career Center
In order to be eligible, administrators must be full-time employees, who have worked for the University for more than one year. All administrators who have engaged in helping students in their career exploration and job search process, whether it is formally part of one's job or not, are eligible. Toppel Staff members not eligible.
To nominate an administrator click here.
Excellence in Career Education
The Excellence in Career Education Award will be presented to a faculty member who actively supports the development of the University of Miami career community and the Toppel Career Center. This may occur through incorporating career development and career advising into their teaching and student advising, and seeking our partnerships with employers, graduate/professional programs, Career Services, and others who may provide internship, job or graduate/professional school opportunities for students within his/her academic division or throughout the university.
Nominees should meet a majority of the following criteria:
- Developing career-mindedness in students
- High quality of information and advice
- Outstanding support of students and the Toppel Career Center
In order to be eligible, nominees must be current members of the University of Miami faculty. All faculty who have engaged in helping students in their career exploration and job search process, whether it is formally a part of one's job or not are eligible for nomination.
To nominate a faculty member click here.
Employer of the Year
The Employer of the Year Award will be presented to two organizations, one private and one public/not-for-profit, for making significant contributions to the University of Miami community through support of career programs, sponsorship of events, and recruitment of our students and alumni.
In order to be eligible, employers must have posted a job/internship position and have participated in at least one Career Center event within the calendar year.
To nominate an employer click here.
Recruiter of the Year
The Recruiter of the Year Award will be presented to one individual for making significant contributions to the University of Miami community through support of career programs, sponsorship of events, and recruitment of our students and alumni.
In order to be eligible, the recruiter must have participated in at least one Career Center event within the calendar year.
To nominate a recruiter click here.
Local Employer of the Year
Sponsored by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
The Local Employer of the Year Award will be presented to one local organization for making significant contributions to the University of Miami community through support of career programs, sponsorship of events, and recruitment of our students and alumni.
In order to be eligible, employers must have posted a job/internship position and have participated in at least one Career Center event within the calendar year.
Alum of the Year Award
The Alum of the Year Award will be presented to an alum of the University of Miami who is achieving outstanding professional success in his or her career and/or making significant contributions to enhance current students' career development.
In order to be eligible, the nominee must have obtained his or her degree (undergraduate or graduate) from the University of Miami.
To nominate an alumn click here.
Patricia Toppel Award
The Patricia Toppel Award was introduced in 2017 to recognize individuals, both on and off campus, who have consistently made a positive impact on the work of the Toppel Career Center. Recipients of the Patricia Toppel Award are selected by Toppel staff based on their long-term support and collaboration in Toppel's services.
