The Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost has recognized five outstanding staff members as recipients of the 2025 Provost’s Unit Awards for Excellence.
The University Awards for Excellence represent NC State’s highest honor for non-faculty members. Each nominee demonstrated excellence in one of the following areas: customer service, efficiency and innovation, human relations, outstanding state government service, public service, safety and heroism, and the spirit of North Carolina.
Award recipients were honored at an in-person ceremony held Friday, March 21, at the NC State University Club.
The following text includes excerpts from nomination materials.
This year’s recipients of the Provost’s Unit Awards for Excellence are:
Tremayne Grimes, Unix Systems Administrator, DELTA
- Efficiency and Innovation – SHRA
Tremayne ensures the reliable operation of critical learning platforms, impacting nearly all NC State students and instructors. He demonstrates exceptional technical expertise and proactive problem-solving. His work consistently enhances the university’s technology infrastructure and he fosters a positive team environment.
Hayley Hardenbrook, International Admissions and Recruitment Manager, the Graduate School
- Human Relations – SHRA
Hayley significantly enhanced the Graduate School’s international recruitment through data-driven strategies, including targeted campaigns and webinars, leading to increased applications and enrollment. She fostered a strong sense of community and expanded NC State’s global presence, contributing to the university’s research goals.
Thomas Jones, University Library Specialist, Access Services, NC State University Libraries
- Efficiency and Innovation – SHRA
Thomas oversees complex projects at the bookBot and implements data-driven strategies to optimize space and accessibility. His expertise in streamlining processes and his leadership across multiple libraries ensures efficient materials management and supports complex collection moves, benefiting the entire library community.
Rushik Patel, Business Applications Developer, the Graduate School
- Efficiency and Innovation – EHRA
Rushik significantly improved the Graduate School’s systems by revitalizing legacy applications, including a redesigned GradPath system with enhanced efficiency and security. He also developed the Competencies Assessment System, showcasing his ability to master new technologies and deliver advanced reporting solutions.
Jamie Pendergrass, Associate Director, Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Enrollment Management and Services
- Customer Service – EHRA
Jamie navigated the complex FAFSA Simplification Act implementation by meticulously interpreting federal changes and coordinating system modifications, ensuring NC State was among the first to provide financial aid offers. His efforts were crucial in maintaining timely aid disbursement and supporting the university’s record-breaking enrollment.
Each winner will receive eight hours of paid leave, a framed award certificate and a $250 cash award. They will now move forward for consideration for the universitywide Awards for Excellence.
Certificates of recognition will be given to the other ten nominees:
- Sammantha Dellaria, Assistant Director for Communications and Brand Management, Shelton Leadership Center, Office of University Interdisciplinary Programs
- Human Relations – SHRA
- Yesim Erdmann, Program Coordinator, Community Engagement, NC State University Libraries
- Efficiency and Innovation – EHRA
- Tracy Ferry, Program Coordinator, Office of Equal Opportunity
- Human Relation – SHRA
- Emily Holloway, Marketing Specialist, NC State Continuing and Lifelong Education
- Human Relations – EHRA
- Julia Kardos, Policy and Program Specialist, Institute for Emerging Issues
- Customer Service – SHRA
- Thomas Martin, Assistant Director and Coordinator of Testing Accommodations, Disability Resource Office, Office of Equal Opportunity
- Outstanding State Government Service – EHRA
- Beckie Morgan, Assistant Registrar for Transfer Student Services, Registration and Records, Enrollment Management and Services
- Efficiency and Innovation – SHRA
- Robin Stewart, Global Programs Coordinator, Office of Global Engagement
- Customer Service – EHRA
- David Tredwell, Team Lead, Multimedia Development, DELTA
- Customer Service – EHRA
- Savannah Vince, Associate Director, Continuing and Professional Education, NC State Continuing and Lifelong Education
- Efficiency and Innovation – SHRA
