Most Valuable Panther Program

The Most Valuable Panther (MVP) program recognizes employees who embody the university’s standards for innovation as demonstrated by their passion, dedication, and excellent service.

Florida Tech’s MVP Winner - February 2026

Cheryl LeBlanc consistently demonstrates exceptional involvement and service through her proactive support of both internal and external customers across the Facilities Department and the broader Florida Tech community. She is highly responsive, approachable, and solutions-oriented, ensuring that faculty, staff, students, and vendors receive timely assistance and accurate information. Cheryl sets a positive example through her professionalism, respectful communication, and willingness to step in wherever needed. Her leadership fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment, and she regularly strengthens relationships between Facilities and other campus departments by ensuring projects and operational needs are handled with transparency, efficiency and care. Through her daily actions, Cheryl enhances the reputation of the department and reflects the university’s commitment to service excellence.

Cheryl consistently exhibits a strong commitment to quality by maintaining high standards in business operations, project coordination and departmental oversight. She is detail-oriented and thorough, ensuring that processes are followed correctly; documentation is accurate and financial and operational decisions align with university priorities. Cheryl regularly identifies opportunities to improve workflows, strengthen internal controls and enhance efficiency, which contributes directly to the success of Facilities operations and long-term planning efforts. Her ability to manage complex responsibilities while maintaining accuracy and accountability reflects her dedication to excellence. Cheryl’s work supports Florida Tech’s goals by promoting effective resource management, improving coordination across initiatives, and ensuring Facilities projects are executed in a well-organized and cost-conscious manner.

Cheryl routinely goes above and beyond the expectations of her role by taking ownership of challenges that extend beyond standard business operations and project responsibilities. She consistently steps in to resolve urgent issues, provide guidance to staff and ensure deadlines are met even under demanding conditions. Cheryl frequently supports multiple initiatives simultaneously, often taking on additional tasks to keep departmental operations moving forward without disruption. She demonstrates outstanding dedication by anticipating needs, addressing problems before they escalate and providing leadership support wherever gaps arise. Her willingness to invest extra time and effort, combined with her strong sense of responsibility and commitment to the university’s and employee success, makes her an invaluable member of the Facilities team and a deserving nominee for the Most Valuable Panther award.

MVP Award Benefits

The MVP of any given month wins:

• A designated MVP parking space for the month during normal business hours
• A short write-up recognizing the MVP in the Florida Tech Weekly enewsletter
• Four hours added to the MVP's vacation balance
• A Panther Dining Hall Meal added to the MVP's account

Past MVP Winners

View past MVP Winners on Florida Tech's News website

MVP Award Criteria

A nominee for the MVP award may be a full- or part-time employee and meet these basic requirements in order to be eligible:

• Must have been employed at Florida Tech for no less than one full year
• Cannot have been selected as MVP within the prior 12 months
• Has no documented corrective action on file with HR within the past six months

Any eligible employee may be nominated more than once, however, will only be eligible to win the award once within a twelve (12) month period.

To be considered, a nominee must have demonstrated extraordinary service to the university during the 60 days prior to their nomination. Examples of contributions that may warrant MVP honors include:

• An outstanding accomplishment with significant benefit to the Florida Tech community
• Extraordinary service to colleagues and/or external community members
• Demonstrating exceptional leadership and/or initiative
• Exemplary efforts to nurture a climate of care, concern and civility
• Creative innovations to service, process, or work tools
• Exhibiting and modeling a relentlessly positive attitude toward work responsibilities, co-workers and customers
• Extraordinary commitment to quality
• Taking initiative and embracing responsibilities beyond regular job assignments

MVP Award Nomination Procedure

Nominations may be made by anyone with an active affiliation with the university (i.e. staff, faculty, administrator, student worker). The nominator does not have to be the nominee's supervisor or superior; however, the nominator must have direct knowledge of the employee’s contributions.

1. Complete the MVP nomination form
2. Submit to MVP nominating committee by the 15th day of the month

MVP Selection Committee and Process

The vice president of human resources makes the initial appointment of MVP Committee members.

1. The MVP reviews nominations and selects a monthly winner based on the aforementioned criteria. (If a committee member is nominated, they will be excused from voting that month.)
2. Nominees are evaluated using a point system, and the highest scoring nominee wins. In the case of a tie, one name from among the highest scorers will be drawn at random to determine a winner.
3. The MVP Committee has the right to verify nomination materials with the nominee’s supervisor.
4. Nominees who do not receive the award for the month in which they have been nominated do not remain in the nomination pool, but they may be nominated again for reconsideration.