The Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost has recognized five outstanding staff members as recipients of the 2026 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 Thursday, March 26, 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:
Jill Anderson, Senior Instructional Technologist, DELTA
- Customer Service, EPS
Serving on the DELTA Instructional Technology and Training team, Jill anticipated the significant challenges posed by the Department of Justice’s 2024 rule regarding accessible web content. Instead of taking a ‘wait-and-see’ approach, Jill went above and beyond her usual role at DELTA by proactively designing a comprehensive support system to help our instructors navigate these complex changes without feeling overwhelmed. Her work wasn’t just about one-off workshops; she built a sustainable foundation that includes a 10-part training series and the first-ever ‘AccessFest’—a hands-on co-working event that brought experts and faculty together. She isn’t just checking boxes; she’s ensuring our instructors have a steady partner to help them create a more inclusive digital learning environment for all our students
Taylor Ofori, Coordinator of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Services, Office of Equal Opportunity
- Human Relations, EPS
Taylor has transformed the university’s approach to accessibility by streamlining service requests and expanding interpreter resources. By modernizing services through tools like Gridcheck and championing fiscally responsible solutions such as staff interpreter positions, Taylor has successfully balanced equity with sustainability to benefit the entire campus community. Her impact is most profoundly felt through her human-centered approach to advocacy. Whether coordinating complex accessibility for a major Guggenheim event in New York or serving as a dedicated primary interpreter, she empowers those she supports to move from a mindset of scarcity to one of confidence and self-advocacy. Through her dedication, Taylor has not only improved processes but has made the university a more welcoming and forward-thinking institution for every member of the Wolfpack.
Madeline Kujabi, Community Initiatives Program Specialist, Institute for Emerging Issues
- Outstanding State Government Service, SHRA
Joining the Institute for Emerging Issues just over a year ago, Madeline stepped into a critical gap when IEI’s Faith and Community initiative transitioned from a five-person team to a solo operation. Rather than scaling back, she rose to the challenge, anchoring the Faith and Community Initiative with a level of technical skill and empathy that far exceeded her tenure. In her first few months, she successfully facilitated eight peer network groups, securing the initiative’s financial stability and ensuring its vital work continued without interruption.
Her leadership reached a pinnacle when she single-handedly spearheaded the management of the Faith and Community annual conference—a massive undertaking typically managed by an entire team over a full year. From granular planning to high-stakes execution, Madeline’s meticulous efforts resulted in overwhelming acclaim from community leaders across the state. By transforming a period of institutional transition into a triumph for the university, Madeline has proven herself to be a selfless leader and an invaluable asset to state government service.
Jessica Lama, Lead Online and Distance Education Program Specialist, DELTA
- Efficiency and Innovation, SHRA
Jessica is the driving force behind the seamless administrative support for thousands of NC State students. In 2025, when faced with critical staffing shortages during peak enrollment, Jessica proactively stepped into an operational leadership role, designing a fast-track training program and onboarding website that allowed new hires to contribute almost immediately. Her ability to transform a crisis into a sustainable framework stabilized operations and ensured that essential services for nontraditional students remained uninterrupted. Beyond her immediate team, Jessica has spearheaded transformative digital initiatives, including the total reorganization of the Online and Distance Education website and ServiceNow Knowledgebase to enhance usability while reducing staff workload. She also streamlined the Nondegree Studies application for more than 3,000 applicants and improved registration processes for local high school partners. Known as a trusted, results-driven leader, Jessica’s commitment to efficiency and cross-unit collaboration makes her a truly invaluable asset to the NC State community.
Ethan Pardue, Communications Specialist, Enrollment Management and Services
- Public Service, SHRA
When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, Ethan didn’t just offer sympathy; he mobilized the Enrollment Management and Services team to launch a targeted fundraising campaign. By identifying the need for “high-impact” recovery tools—such as chainsaws and solar generators—he turned a $2,000 collection into a lifeline for those facing the long road to rebuilding. Ethan’s commitment went far beyond the office, as he personally managed the logistics of delivering these supplies and volunteered his own time at the Raleigh United Mutual Aid Hub to ensure help reached the front lines. Beyond his emergency response efforts, Ethan is a pillar of the local nonprofit community, currently serving as the secretary on the Board of Directors for the Triangle Pride Band. His work with this nonprofit organization highlights his talent for fostering inclusive, vibrant spaces through the arts. Whether he is navigating the complexities of disaster relief or managing the governance of a cultural institution, Ethan exemplifies a spirit of selflessness and civic duty.
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:
- Beth Ashmore, Associate Head, Acquisitions and Discovery (Serials), NC State University Libraries
- Public Service – EPS
- Sarah-Davis Cagle, CRM Analyst, Enrollment Management and Services
- Efficiency and Innovation – EPS
- Rebecca Cibulskis, International Program Coordinator, Global Training Initiative
- Customer Service – EPS
- Parker Watson, Assistant Director for Pre-College Programs and First Year Experiences, Shelton Leadership Center
- Public Service, EPS
- Sophia Crudup, University Program Administrator, Continuing and Lifelong Education
- Public Service, SHRA
- Aasta Thomas, University Library Specialist, NC State University Libraries
- Efficiency and Innovation, SHRA
- Sarah Whichello, Communications Coordinator, Data Science and AI Academy
- Human Relations, SHRA
- Jenni Wilson, Liaison for Education, Management, Natural Resources, the Graduate School
- Human Relations, SHRA
