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Workforce

Last Updated: March 21, 2023 | Press Releases

Secretary Mayorkas Recognizes Over 1,300 DHS Employees with Annual Secretary’s Awards

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the 1,333 winners of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary’s Awards, which honor employees from 43 different states, countries, territories, and districts.

Last Updated: March 14, 2023 | Site Page

The Secretary’s Award for Volunteer Service 2023

The Secretary’s Award for Volunteer Service recognizes significant contributions by DHS employees who serve as volunteers with non-profit or community service programs or activities. The employee’s contributions should be direct, sustained, and have meaningful results for individuals or larger public good.

Last Updated: March 14, 2023 | Site Page

The Secretary’s Champion of Equity Award 2023

The Secretary’s Champion of Equity Award recognizes an employee who has excelled in efforts to promote diversity at DHS through outstanding leadership and innovation.

Last Updated: March 14, 2023 | Site Page

The Secretary’s Award for Team Excellence 2023

The Secretary’s Award for Team Excellence recognizes any unit within the Department (such as a Component, directorate, office, division, or section) with outstanding team achievements in operational areas such as law enforcement, aviation, cybersecurity, border patrol, hiring, acquisition, and information technology.

Last Updated: March 14, 2023 | Site Page

The Secretary’s Award for Innovation 2023

The Secretary’s Award for Innovation recognizes individuals or teams that employ a strategic and enterprise-wide approach to strengthening the DHS mission and its operations.

Last Updated: March 14, 2023 | Site Page

The Secretary’s Award for Valor 2023

The Secretary’s Award for Valor is the highest recognition for extraordinary acts of valor occurring either on or off duty.

Last Updated: March 14, 2023 | Site Page

The Secretary's Award for Leadership Excellence 2023

The Secretary’s Award for Leadership Excellence Award recognizes an individual and a team that exemplifies the Department of Homeland Security’s leadership philosophy, principles, and core values of integrity, vigilance, and respect. Puts employees first and inspires and motivates others. This award is named for the first Secretary of the Department, Tom Ridge, who embodied these qualities.

Last Updated: March 14, 2023 | Site Page

The Secretary's Meritorious Service Silver Medal 2023

The Secretary’s Meritorious Service Silver Medal Award recognizes outstanding leadership, superior public service, or unusually significant contributions to strengthening homeland security. It may recognize a body of work regarding remarkable innovation or notable resourcefulness and diligence that improved the effectiveness of one or more DHS missions.

Last Updated: March 14, 2023 | Site Page

The Secretary's Exceptional Service Gold Medal 2023

The Secretary’s Exceptional Service Gold Medal Award honors exceptional leadership or service distinguished by achievements of unique national or international significance, reflecting great credit on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by markedly improving the security of our homeland.

Last Updated: March 13, 2023 | Site Page

2023 Secretarys Awards

The 2023 Secretary’s Awards honor the work, sacrifice, and professional excellence of employees from components across the Department of Homeland Security.