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2026 COE Awards Recognize Outstanding Staff and Faculty

More than 60 staff and faculty members across the College of Engineering were honored at the 2026 COE Awards event on April 9.

April 17, 2026 Staff

More than 60 staff and faculty members across the College of Engineering were honored at the 2026 COE Awards event on April 9.

This year, the college recognized:

29 faculty members who have won awards from the College of Engineering or from NC State University
27 staff members who were nominated for the Awards for Excellence, and four staff members who won the award
5 staff members who have been named Pride of the Wolfpack winners in the last year
7 staff members who were nominated for the NC State Staff Senate’s inaugural Cornerstone Award, including one staff winner

Faculty Awards

Outstanding Teacher Award

a man and two women standing together — Associate Dean Joel Ducoste with Associate Professor Angela Harris and Assistant Teaching Professor Amy Adkins.

Given by the College of Engineering, this award recognizes excellence in teaching at all levels and is a prerequisite for being considered for the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Alumni Distinguished Professor Award. Recipients are members of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers for as long as they are NC State faculty members.

Amy Adkins, Assistant Teaching Professor, Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
Angela Harris, Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Katharina Stapelmann, Associate Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering

George H. Blessis Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award

two men standing together with one holding framed certificate — Ducoste with Associate Teaching Professor Naji Husseini.

This award recognizes faculty members who consistently give their time to advising, counseling and mentoring students and assisting student groups. It is a continuing memorial to George H. Blessis, a faculty member whose interest in undergraduate education and advising serves as an example today.

Naji Husseini, Associate Teaching Professor and Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies, Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill
Jason Patrick, Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering

Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award

a man with two women each holding framed certificates — Ducoste with Teaching Professor Lina Battestilli and Associate Professor Jacqueline Cole.

Supported by the NC State Alumni Association, this is one of the most prestigious awards given on campus to recognize excellence in undergraduate education.

Lina Battestilli, Teaching Professor, Department of Computer Science
Jacqueline Cole, Associate Professor, Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering

Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Professorship Award

man with woman holding a framed certificate — Ducoste with Professor and Associate Department Head Kate Saul.

The Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Professorship Award recognizes outstanding graduate-level teaching at North Carolina State University and is supported by the NC State Alumni Association. Up to five faculty members across the university receive the award each year.

Kate Saul, Professor and Associate Department Head, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Goodnight Early Career Innovators Award

man standing with a group of four men and one woman holding framed certificates — From left: Joel Ducoste, Ruozhou Yu, Vijay K. Shah, Yuchen Liu, Jingjie Hu, James Braun

Nine faculty members received the Goodnight Early Career Innovators Award. Overseen by the NC State Provost’s Office, this program recognizes and rewards tenure-track assistant professors who have demonstrated early productivity in STEM or STEM education research and innovation.

Amay Bandodkar, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
James Braun, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Jingjie Hu, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Xiaorui Liu, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
Yuan Liu, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Yuchen Liu, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
Vijay K. Shah, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Ruijuan Xu, Assistant Professor, Department of Materials Science Engineering
Ruozhou Yu, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

University Faculty Scholars

man standing with a group of five individuals holding framed certificates — From left: Ducoste, Jie Yin, Ge Yang, Spyros Pavlidis, Brina Montoya, Derek Kamper.

Six faculty members were named University Faculty Scholars, which recognizes and rewards emerging academic leaders who demonstrate significant achievement.

Derek Kamper, Professor, Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
Brina Montoya, Professor, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Venkat Narayanaswamy, Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Spyros Pavlidis, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Ge Yang, Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering
Jie Yin, Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

2026 Outstanding Engagement Award

The Outstanding Engagement Awards recognize faculty members for their outstanding contributions to extension and engagement.

Danjue Chen, Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Marie Muller, Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Alcoa Foundation Engineering Research Awards

man with another man holding a framed certificate — Ducoste with Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering Department Head Paul Dayton.

Alcoa Foundation Engineering Research Achievement Award

The Alcoa Foundation Research Achievement Award recognizes young faculty members for significant research contributions during the preceding three years at NC State.

Aydin Aysu, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Alcoa Foundation Distinguished Engineering Research Award

The Alcoa Foundation Distinguished Engineering Research Award recognizes a senior faculty member for research achievements made over a period of at least five years at NC State.
- Paul Dayton, William R. Kenan Distinguished Professor and Head/Chair, Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering

Holladay Medal

Two faculty members from the College of Engineering won NC State University’s highest honor for faculty, the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence.

Carol Hall, the Worley H. Clark, Jr. Distinguished University Professor in Engineering in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Francis de los Reyes, the Glenn E. and Phyllis J. Futrell Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering

Staff Awards

Awards for Excellence

The college’s Awards for Excellence are part of the broader university and State of North Carolina Awards for Excellence. The award is the most prestigious honor bestowed upon non-faculty employees and recognizes recipients in the following categories: Customer Service, Efficiency and Innovation, Safety and Heroism, Human Relations, Outstanding State Government Service, Public Service and Spirit of North Carolina.

EPS Winners

woman standing with another woman holding an acrylic trophy — Assistant Dean for Personnel and Administration Shannon Williams with Kailyn Harris-Gilliam, EPS winner and student engagement coordinator for STEPS.

Kailyn Harris-Gilliam, Student Engagement Coordinator for the Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center

Harris-Gilliam won in the category of human relations for her work to transform the STEPS Center trainee experience by building a welcoming, supportive and deeply connected community across 11 institutions and more than 20 academic departments nationwide

woman standing with another woman holding an award trophy — Williams with Kim Roberts, EPS winner and director of recruiting, enrollment management and educational partnerships.

Kim Roberts, Director of Recruiting, Enrollment Management & Educational Partnerships in the Office of Academic Affairs

Roberts won in the category of spirit of North Carolina for her decade of leadership and service to NC State’s American Institute of Chemical Engineers student chapter, where she mentors student leaders, fosters a culture of integrity and excellence and represents NC State with humility and pride.

EPS Nominees

Bruce Ash, Research Associate in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for safety and heroism
Tricia Cage, IT Manager for the ITECS Service Desk, for customer service
Deanna Cardamone, Academic Advisor for the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, for efficiency and innovation
Paige Doster-Grimes, Pre- and Post-Award Accountant for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for customer service
Gary Downey, Ergonomist in the Ergonomics Center, part of the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, for customer service
Pa Nhia Moore, Manager of Student Programs for the Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, for human relations
Emily Resk, Coordinator of Advising in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for efficiency and innovation
Danielle Riegel, Project Manager for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for customer service
Alex Sprague, Research Assistant in the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, for customer service

SHRA Winners

Michael Mantini, Speciality Trades Technician, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Michael Mantini won in the category of human relations for providing daily technical support across multiple research buildings, repairing and installing laboratory equipment and creating hands-on training modules that strengthen students’ engineering skills.

woman stands with woman holding an acrylic trophy — Williams with Suzette Walker, SHRA winner and HR strategy partner for the COE.

Suzette Walker, HR Strategy Partner, College of Engineering

Suzette Walker won her award in two categories, human relations and efficiency and innovation. When she was nominated, she was the director of human relations for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, where she made a measurable, university‑wide impact by redesigning administrative workflows across HR, finance and research administration. She is now an HR strategy partner for the college’s HR team.

SHRA Nominees

Amy Alexander, External Relations and Operations Manager for the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, for efficiency and innovation
Sandra Bailey, Student Services Specialist for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for human relations
Christiana Boyle, Business Manager for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for outstanding state government service
Tim Coleman, Research Operations Manager for the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, for customer service
Donna Cooper, Administrative Support Specialist for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for human relations
Lorrie Ellis, Accounting Technician for the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, for customer service
Danielle Herman, Associate Director of Communications for the College of Engineering, for customer service
Lauren Marlier, Public Communications Specialist for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for human relations
Kenya Pridgen, University Program Associate for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for Spirit of North Carolina
Ann Marie Tamayo, Faculty Recognition and Program Specialist for the Office of Faculty Development and Success, for efficiency and innovation
Emad Tawadrous, Specialty Trades Technician and Machinist for the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, for efficiency and innovation
Jeneé Tenor, Human Resources Consultant for the College of Engineering, for efficiency and innovation
Summer VanRiper, Bookkeeper for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for efficiency and innovation

Pride of the Wolfpack

Pride of the Wolfpack recognizes individuals who demonstrate university values. Five staff members received the award for 2025:

Danielle Herman, Associate Director of Communication, Engineering Communications
Fenile Jones, Graduate Student Services Manager, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Christina Pucci, Business Manager, Department of Edward P. Fitts Industrial and Systems Engineering
Emily Resk, Academic Advisor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Kalene Thomas, Assistant Director, Master of Engineering Management Program, Department of Edward P. Fitts Industrial and Systems Engineering

Cornerstone Award

The Cornerstone Award is a new award for NC State University established by the NC State Staff Senate. While the Award for Excellence recognizes staff who go above and beyond their roles, the Cornerstone Awards were created to highlight and celebrate those individuals whose dedication, professionalism and support of their colleagues exemplify the very best of the Wolfpack community.

There were seven nominees from the College of Engineering, and one staff member is one of the four inaugural Cornerstone Award winners.

Cornerstone Award Winner

Hillary Stone, Academic Advisor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Hillary Stone supports more than 200 students annually while managing advising programs, curriculum oversight, recruitment initiatives, scholarships, accreditation efforts and more. Her systems are thoughtful and sustainable, and her dedication to student success is unwavering.

Cornerstone Award Nominees

Tammy Coates, Assistant Director of External Relations, Department of Computer Science
Paige Doster-Grimes, Pre- and Post-Award Accountant, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Danielle Herman, Associate Director of Communication, Engineering Communications
Laurinda Perez, Assistant Director, Engineering Research Administration
Ayana Ruffin, Contracts and Grants Manager, Department of Nuclear Engineering
Ashley Shepherd, Senior Pre-Award Consultant, Engineering Research Administration