The Wolfpack is red (and white!); our bricks are too. Hey colleagues, what makes you love this place too? This month, we’re talking with faculty and staff members about what they love most about NC State.
The Wolfpack is red; our bricks are too. Hey colleagues, what makes you love this place too? This month, we take a look at why NC State is such an easy place to fall in love with.
Christina Allen
Assistant Director of Student Leadership Development, Student Leadership and Engagement, Division of Academic and Student Affairs
What I love most about NC State is the opportunity to work with students at such a pivotal moment in their lives, when they are beginning to understand their potential and imagine the kind of leaders they want to become. As the assistant director of Student Leadership Development, I had the privilege of creating our first-year leadership program, Rising Leaders, and designing high-impact experiences that help students build confidence, clarify their values and find their voice. Every week, I get to witness moments of growth that remind me why student development work matters so deeply.
Through Rising Leaders and our leadership development programs, I see students arrive unsure of themselves and gradually step into spaces of purpose, courage, and connection. Whether they are leading a service project, navigating their first leadership role, or learning how to communicate more effectively, these experiences shape not only their time at NC State but the leaders they will become beyond our campus. It is incredibly meaningful to watch students realize that leadership is not about titles, but about character, service and impact.
NC State is special because of its people and its commitment to holistic education. The university invests in experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom and into real-world leadership, community engagement and personal growth. I am grateful to be part of a campus that values mentorship, belonging and student success so deeply. Working here allows me to contribute to a culture where students are empowered to lead with integrity, compassion and purpose, and that is what I love most about NC State!
Jennifer Coughlin
Administrative Support Spec, Terry Companion Veterinary Medicine Center, College of Veterinary Medicine
Being surrounded by some of the best surgeons and DVMs in the country drives my passion to be the best I can be. The culture and support that echoes throughout the hospital makes it feel like my second home. Cows, horses, and carnivores are just a bonus.
Lucy Gottlieb
Business Officer, Institute for Advanced Analytics
As an employee, parent and alumni, there are so many things I love about NC State! One of the best things is our team at the Institute for Advanced Analytics! Our outstanding faculty and staff support one another like a true pack and are deeply committed to student success! Go PACK!
Gabriel Graña
Digital Media Librarian, NC State University Libraries
What I love most about NC State is the atmosphere of collaboration. Within the Libraries, I’ve found peers that are eager to share their talents and pursue innovative ideas, dig deeper into others’ curiosity, and engage fully with the campus community; instructors across colleges and disciplines are driven by finding the best possible opportunities for students to learn and grow, even if it means trying something new. Time is at a premium, but we all recognize the importance of intentionally planning experiential learning opportunities that provide authentic knowledge and skill development. Through collaborative dialogue, we are able to develop those moments, and, in turn, implicitly impart the importance of collaboration to students.
Kokeita Miller
Instructional Designer, Finance Division Education and Communications, Office of Finance and Administration
I really appreciate the strong sense of community and teamwork shared by our faculty, staff and students.
Reid Ricciardi
Executive Director of Talent Management, Finance, Administration & Talent Management, University Advancement
As I engage potential applicants about job opportunities at NC State, my comments (often bragging points) about our collaborative and collegial culture are genuine and sincere. While NC State is incredibly large and dispersed, it truly is a place where people work well together, support one another, and assume good intent. And I love that. Just as important, my colleagues are a lot of fun. Being able to enjoy the people I work with and have fun while doing meaningful work is critical to my emotional well-being.
Janelle Schwartz
Events Manager, N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative
What I love most about NC State is the people and the sense of community that comes with working here. Everyone is incredibly friendly and welcoming, which makes it easy to feel comfortable and supported in my role. I’ve had so many positive interactions with colleagues who are always willing to help and share their knowledge. The environment here encourages collaboration and growth, which has been really meaningful for me professionally. NC State is a place where I truly see myself continuing to grow in my career. Go Pack!
Sarah Egan Warren
Assistant Teaching Professor, Institute for Advanced Analytics
The community! I came to NC State in the late 1990s to go to graduate school with no intention of staying. But the Wolfpack community made it hard to choose to leave — so here I am, decades later, having built my career and my community here at NC State.
Parker Watson
Assistant Director for Pre-College Programs and First Year Experiences, Shelton Leadership Center
Growing up in a rural North Carolina community shaped my understanding of what it means to be a responsible citizen and good neighbor. What I love most about NC State is the potential for our Think and Do ethos to bridge the gap between global innovation and local wisdom. I am proud to be a part of a university that doesn’t just exist in North Carolina, but is committed to learning from and honoring the people and traditions that define our state.
Of course, Howling Cow’s eggnog is a very close second.
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