Library Finance Team: Verstell Agee and Cheryl Parker

Their unwavering commitment to ethical conduct and integrity sets a shining example for our entire community. Under their guidance, financial resources have been allocated not just efficiently, but ethically, ensuring that every dollar spent advances the Library’s commitment to accessibility, education, and innovation. Their transparent and accountable management practices have set a benchmark for ethical financial leadership, fostering trust among stakeholders and enhancing the library’s ability to serve our community effectively. Their stewardship over a multimillion-dollar budget, and their exceptional dedication to upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical conduct within the GT Library has set a remarkable standard, aligning seamlessly with our institution’s mission, vision, and goals. Congratulations!

Jamaal Taylor, General Safety Manager, Environmental Health & Safety

His unwavering commitment to safety and well-being has significantly impacted Georgia Tech’s campus community. Jamaal initiated the Stretch and Flex program, an innovative program aimed at preventing injuries and enhancing overall well-being for our facilities, dining, and housing employees. Training sessions were tailored to address the specific needs of each department, considering the unique physical demands associated with different roles and employees began to changes in the institutional safety culture are evident, with a significant decrease in incident reports related to work-related injuries. Jamaal has been able to empower employees to take an active role in maintaining their own well-being. Areas led by Jamaal have consistently continued their stretching routines. We are proud to recognize Jamaal’s commitment to fostering a culture of care, well-being, and safety. Congratulations!

Monica Jackson, Employer Connections Coordinator, Career Center

Monica embodies the Institute’s core value of “we thrive on diversity.” She has led efforts to bring forth equitable and transformational programming in the Career Center by leading a group of students called AuthenTECH Peers, designed to engage in proactive outreach to target marginalized student populations that often do not engage in traditional Career Center resources. She has amplified the needs and distinctive challenges our underserved communities may encounter in their career development journey at Georgia, allowing the staff to design a meaningful approach. Monica has also taken a prominent leadership role in the planning and execution of the Career Center’s Diversity First Career Mixer and Women in the Workplace Career Mixer. She truly exemplifies the power of embracing all voices, making her a deserving recipient of this inaugural award. Congratulations!

Michelle Powell, Director, Strategic Consulting

Michelle’s pivotal role in five institute-wide efforts showcases her extraordinary commitment to excellence and collaboration. From spearheading the transformational Arts@Tech initiative, integrating art and creativity into the campus fabric, to facilitating the creation of the GT Neuro interdisciplinary research institute, Michelle consistently bridges organizational silos, fostering innovation and progress. Her adeptness in navigating complex transitions, such as the GTRI Talent Management Division transition, reflects her dedication to minimizing disruption and maximizing operational efficiency. Michelle’s visionary leadership extends to initiatives like the AI Hub and the Center for GeoHazards/Landslides, where she facilitates strategic planning and community engagement, driving tangible impacts for Georgia Tech and beyond. Her ability to bring out the best in others, coupled with her relentless pursuit of solutions, distinguishes Michelle as a true catalyst for positive change, deserving of the Excellence Award.

Capstone Design Expo Core Planning Team: Amit Jariwala, Andrea Dominguez, Ashley Ritchie, Cary Ogletree, and Nichelle Compton

The Capstone Design Expo, Georgia Tech’s premier showcase of graduating seniors, features innovative projects from Capstone Design Courses. The Expo Core Planning Team excels in meticulous coordination, ensuring seamless execution and meeting individual student needs for facilities and utilities. Despite the Herculean task of accommodating over 2000 students from different schools across the Institute, their efforts are witnessed by an even larger audience of external guests, enhancing Georgia Tech’s reputation across disciplines. Amit’s team also creatively leverages the expo for recruitment, engaging local High Schools and K-12 partners. With increased industry expert and alumni participation as judges and sponsors, the Expo’s impact continues to expand. This success is rooted in the team’s trust-building and selfless service mindset. Congratulations team!

Brittany McCormick, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, Scheller College of Business

Brittany has an unwavering dedication to cultivating and empowering others. Over her tenure, Brittany has seamlessly transitioned from a Communication Officer to a pivotal figure overseeing staff, content creation and analytics for Scheller College across various media platforms, demonstrating astute people management, mentorship, and decision-making skills. She exercises her excellent judgment and sound decision-making abilities every day in her work as a people leader, social media manager, content creator, and project manager, acting as an exceptional model to those on the team. Her strategic approach to projects, such as spearheading an omnichannel strategy to increase women’s enrollment in the Full-time MBA program, reflects her exceptional ability to drive results while fostering collaboration and innovation within her team. Her proudest accomplishment lies in mobilizing and empowering her team to excel, tailoring projects to their career aspirations. Brittany’s commitment to developing her team has led to significant personnel growth. Despite challenges, her proactive leadership ensures successful initiatives, leaving an indelible impact on the College’s reputation. Congratulations, Brittany, on this well-deserved recognition!

Monifa Skelton-Wells, Academic Program Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Monifa is the epitome of leadership in action, earning her this well-deserved award. From the moment she assumed the role of Interim Manager for Administration, Monifa’s commitment to empowering her admin team was evident. She swiftly identified and addressed long-standing challenges, fostering an environment of trust and collaboration. Monifa’s strategic approach, coupled with her exceptional people skills, led to innovative solutions, including securing funding for professional development opportunities—an unprecedented achievement for the administrative team in the school. As a result of her leadership, the school has seen a complete shift in the morale of the administrative team, an improvement and streamlining of processes and procedures, and an significant improvement in the administrative team’s reputation School wide. She has taken the administrative team from surviving to thriving. Thank you Monifa!

Ashley Carr, Finance and Operations Specialist, Procurement and Business Services

Ashley’s dedication to sustainability and well-being at Georgia Tech has earned her this award. Over her tenure, Ashley’s leadership has fostered a culture of holistic organizational development. As a prominent member of the staff council well-being committee, Ashley’s initiatives have significantly enhanced the mental, physical, and emotional health of staff through innovative workshops and campus-wide events, promoting a sense of community well-being. Moreover, Ashley’s proactive approach to energy conservation and digital transformation yields tangible results, leading to reduced environmental impact and improved operational efficiency in her office and building. Ashley’s exemplary efforts serve as a blueprint for organizations seeking to intertwine sustainability, well-being, and resilience. She exemplifies how organizations can cultivate a sustainable culture that prioritizes community engagement, energy conservation, and technological innovation, ultimately fostering employee well-being and social responsibility while ensuring long-term sustainability. Thank you for your responsible stewardship, Ashley!

Brent O’Guin, Technology Strategist and Architect, Office of Information Technology

Brent’s visionary leadership and pioneering efforts in advancing artificial intelligence at Georgia Tech make him a deserving recipient of the One Giant Leap Award. Brent’s strategic foresight and proactive approach have positioned Georgia Tech as a leader in embracing AI technology in higher education. His hands-on involvement and dedication to innovation have catalyzed a campus-wide cultural shift, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making processes. Brent’s initiatives have not only propelled us to the forefront of technological evolution but also strengthened our competitive standing in the higher education landscape. Brent has a remarkable ability to turn visionary ideas into impactful outcomes and an unwavering dedication to innovation, making him a true trailblazer in the field of AI.

Andrew George, Public Services Associate II, Library

As a driving force behind the integration of AI technology into the GT Library’s chat services, Andrew’s work reshaped the landscape of patron support. Through his initiative and expertise, he spearheaded the development of the chatbot module, refining its functionality and ensuring its seamless integration into existing services. Andrew’s meticulous attention to detail, from designing chatbot algorithms to expanding question banks, elevated the service to new heights. His insistence on thorough feedback and data collection underscored his commitment to continuous improvement. Moreover, Andrew’s contributions to the Textbook Affordability Project showcased his dedication to supporting students. His efforts led to substantial potential savings, demonstrating his remarkable impact on accessibility and affordability within the academic community. His work is behind the scenes, but is critical to ensuring that Georgia Tech students, faculty, and staff have the resources they need to pursue their goals.

Rachel Watts, Senior Learning Consultant, Workplace Learning & Professional Development

As the driving force behind the ASPIRE program, Rachel has meticulously crafted a groundbreaking program grounded in research, campuswide partnerships, and a profound commitment to enhancing people-leadership fluency after survey data showed the need to improve leadership fluency. Collaborating with senior leaders and others partners from the University System of Georgia, Rachel meticulously designed a program that not only addresses key learning needs but also fosters leadership success across our organization. However, Rachel’s impact transcends mere program design; she adeptly navigated obstacles by involving managers as co-learners, ensuring their buy-in and support. The results speak volumes, with post-program evaluations showcasing significant increases in leadership competencies among participants. Rachel’s multifaceted approach as a problem solver, innovator, leader, and relationship builder has left a huge mark on countless individuals at Georgia Tech.

Marc Ebelhar, Graduate Student Success Specialist, Office of Graduate Education

As the leader of GT6000, Marc has directly influenced the lives of around 500 graduate students each fall semester through a peer mentorship model that he meticulously crafted. Under his guidance, GT6000 has evolved into a program that prioritizes student voices, fostering a culture of empowerment and collaboration. Through his transformative leadership, Marc has not only provided students with a platform to voice concerns but has also taken proactive steps to address them, ensuring that GT6000 reflects the evolving needs and aspirations of graduate students. His dedication to developing student leaders is evident in his mentoring and training of Group Leaders, particularly on diversity and inclusion topics, resulting in increased confidence. By prioritizing students’ well-being and consistently putting their needs first, Marc embodies the ethos of the Putting Students First Award and serves as an exemplary role model for student-centered leadership at Georgia Tech.

Naima Barton, Assistant Director of Administrative Operations, Office of the Provost

Since joining GT in June 2022 as the Program Support Coordinator in the Executive Vice President’s office for Administration and Finance, Naima has showcased remarkable adaptability and maturity, navigating through 4 different EVPs in the span of 16 months with grace and expertise. While such a high turnover of leadership would be extremely stressful for anyone, especially someone still new to Tech, Naima was able to pivot and work with a diverse range of personalities and leadership styles with ease. Naima took these challenges head-on and thrived- to the point of receiving a promotion in the Office of the Provost. Notably, Naima’s collaborative spirit and willingness to go above and beyond have been instrumental in various initiatives, including her invaluable assistance during the EVP A&F search and seamless transition her new role. Her leadership in establishing the A&F Staff Culture Advisory Council and the A&F Student Internship Council has significantly enhanced workplace culture and student engagement. Naima’s impact extends far beyond her immediate responsibilities, making her an indispensable asset to the Institute.

Casey Hayes, Systems Development Engineer Senior, Office of Information Technology

Casey Hayes epitomizes the “Rising Wreck” ethos at Georgia Tech, confronting a daunting challenge within the Grants and Contracts Accounting team early in his tenure. Assigned to automate the labor-intensive process of crafting federal financial reports, Casey showcased unwavering resolve and adaptability, navigating technical and procedural obstacles with finesse. His multifaceted approach, blending analytical acumen, leadership, and technical expertise, yielded remarkable outcomes—nearly $50,000 in annual time and cost savings. Moreover, Casey’s initiative improved the work/life balance of the accountants, empowering them to focus on other strategic endeavors. His foresight has extended beyond campus, founding the “USG Intelligent Automation Community of Practice,” fostering collaboration among ten institutions. In just two years, Casey’s positive attitude, passion, and mentorship have significantly impacted efficiency at Georgia Tech.

Karena Nguyen, Assistant Director of Postdoctoral Services, Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education

Karena Nguyen exemplifies the essence of a “Rising Wreck” at Georgia Tech, ascending from her own postdoctoral research role here to becoming an influential figure in administrative leadership. Her creation of the Faculty Career Advancement Program in collaboration with the Center for Teaching and Learning demonstrates her proactive approach to addressing crucial needs in academia. She has also been intentional about creating cohort-based programs to foster postdoc’s professional skill development and sense of community. Karena’s initiative in establishing partnerships, such as with the PDHub and her instrumental role in organizing National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week on campus showcases her dedication to fostering a supportive environment for postdocs both locally and nationally. Karena’s multifaceted contributions have left a lasting impact on professional development programming and postdoctoral affairs, reflecting her outstanding leadership and advocacy within such a short tenure at Tech.

Melody Foster, Unit Administrative Officer, Mechanical Engineering

Melody Foster epitomizes the spirit of service and dedication at Georgia Tech. Her unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community has touched the lives of countless staff, faculty, and students. Melody’s impact transcends her formal responsibilities in the School of Mechanical Engineering. As a mentor, she has empowered individuals to navigate their careers with confidence and grace, while her leadership in founding initiatives such as the Women of Woodruff and the Staff Happiness and Organizational Development Cabinet underscores her commitment to promoting diversity and professional development. Melody has an amazing ability to instill confidence but still hold colleagues accountable, usually by asking exactly the right questions with exactly the right nuance. It should not come as surprise that Melody is a role model for many staff and faculty alike. If Melody cannot do something, that means nobody can. Melody’s profound dedication embodies Georgia Tech’s motto of “Progress and Service,” making her a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Peter Lee, Creative Services Manager, Scheller College of Business

Graphic designers can oftentimes stay behind the scenes. Peter, however, is proactive, social and genuinely wants to share his knowledge with anyone open to broadening their skill set. Not only did he assist the Denning Technology & Management Program with polished collateral, but he also started a Creative Summit and recruited creatives across disciplines for a knowledge-sharing group. His colleagues fondly remember his interactive tutorial on cropping photographs to create more visual interest. He used himself and his home as the subject, which garnered trust and admiration. He is someone who consistently displays the utmost respect, professionalism, and empathy for those around him, even and especially when they have nebulous, competing, or confusing feedback about his work or the work of his team. A master of active listening and problem solving, he not only welcomes feedback, he embraces and actively seeks it out at every opportunity. Peter makes Georgia Tech better for everyone.

Laxminarayana Krishnan, Laboratory Manager I, Bioengineering & Biosciences

Laxminarayana Krishnan’s exceptional contributions to research operations and support at the Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB) truly embody the Spirit of Georgia Tech. Laxmi has been instrumental in transforming the Micro-CT and Biomechanics Core Facilities into hubs of innovative research operations, expanding their scope and elevating Georgia Tech’s position in the research community. His leadership extends beyond his role, as demonstrated by his involvement in coordinating shared equipment grants and driving enhancements in user education and training programs. Laxmi’s dedication to service is exemplified by his proactive approach to problem-solving and his commitment to streamlining processes and improving user experiences across IBB. Furthermore, his engagement with external partners and his role in promoting collaborations through SEASR showcase his commitment to advancing research and fostering a collaborative scientific community.

Sherree King, Stores Clerk III, Housing & Residence Life

Most of Sherree’s daily work goes unseen by the campus community, because she operates out of the off-campus Housing and Residence Life warehouse on Joseph Lowery Blvd. However, her spirit, willingness to go the extra mile, positive attitude, and demeanor have earned her praise from her colleagues. Sherree takes pride in her work and is constantly on top of supplies and parts needed by the team. Communication, follow-ups, and quality assurance all play a major role in the ownership she takes of her role. She is a great example of taking pride in your work and keeping the Georgia Tech standard high. During a summer staff shortage, Sherree volunteered for manual tasks: helping break down beds and transport mattress and bed frames to campus. Sherree commented, “When I provide great service to our Housing and Residence Life team, it helps them provide great service to our students.” She cares deeply about the success of others, the department, and Institute.

Sarah Collins, Senior Graphic Designer, College of Engineering

Sarah Collins consistently demonstrates an exceptional work ethic that surpasses expectations. Despite her primary day-to-day responsibilities within the Dean’s office, she extends her talents to support all eight schools within the college, serving as their graphic designer alongside her regular duties. What sets Sarah apart is not just her ability to fulfill these diverse responsibilities but her capacity to do so with creativity, grace, humility, accuracy, and remarkable speed. She makes the impossible happen for her colleagues in the College within hours oftentimes. She approaches each project with an innovative mindset, focus, and positivity, striving to create materials that not only meet the needs of the College but also reflect Georgia Tech’s identity as a leader and innovator. Her colleagues reflected that “Her dedication and proficiency in handling a workload that would typically require a larger team illustrate her invaluable impact on our communications efforts.”