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

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 Winner

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 from CBE

• Bruce Ash, Research Associate in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for safety and heroism
• Paige Doster-Grimes, Pre- and Post-Award Accountant for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for customer service
• 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

SHRA Winner

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. 

SHRA Nominees from CBE

• 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
• Donna Cooper, Administrative Support Specialist for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, for human relations
• 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
• 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. One CBE staff member received the award for 2025:

• Emily Resk, Academic Advisor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular 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 was one nominee from CBE:

• Paige Doster-Grimes, Pre- and Post-Award Accountant, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

This is an edited version of the article Danielle Herman wrote for College of Engineering News.