
McKimmon Achievers
McKimmon Center for Extension & Continuing Education, being the administrative unit comprised of eight sub-units, has 129 permanent employees and over 40 temporary staff members. Even though we think each and every member of our staff is special and deserves gratitude, there are occasions when an individual or a group of individuals receives extraordinary attention. This page is dedicated to those extraordinary achievers.
2020 Awards for Excellence
The Awards for Excellence program, established by the State of North Carolina, recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of NC State employees who have made a significant contribution to their department, division, the university community or the lives of others. Two McKimmon Conference and Training Center employees–Carmen Dunn, Event Coordinator, and Rob Chapman, Lead Technician–were nominated for the University Awards for Excellence for the Provost’s Unit. Rob was selected as one of four SHRA recipients of this year’s award, for his outstanding customer service.
2019 Service Awards
The following employees are being recognized by NC State for their years of excellent service. Congratulations go out to each of them from all of us here at the McKimmon Center.
Cheryl Broughton, Finance and Business Office
Christopher Gregory, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Molly Hall, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Elizabeth Hubbe, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Jennifer Lawson, Office of Professional Development
Kyle Wallace, Office of the Vice Provost for Continuing Education
Demetrius Harrison, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Charles Fredlaw, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Chris Heggie, Finance and Business Office
Shedrick Samuels, Office of Professional Development
Brian Swiger, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Rob Chapman, McKimmon Conference and Training Center
Kerry Christian, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Ben Garner, McKimmon Conference and Training Center
Randy Jones, Finance and Business Office
Christopher Warren, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Sevante Bishop Earns Global Skills Certification
Sevante Bishop completed the Global Skills Certification training offered by NC State’s Global Training Initiative. The three workshops that comprise the certification–Foundations for Global Success, Developing Cultural Acumen and Application of Global Skills—enhance cultural awareness, providing frameworks to understand culture and tools to help manage and leverage cultural differences.
2019-2020 Mary Frances Hester Service Award
Carrie Hayes Bjorkquist, Event Coordinator/System Specialist for the McKimmon Conference and Training Center, received the Mary Frances Hester Service Award in recognition for her dedicated and loyal public service–to both the constituents of the McKimmon Center and to her fellow University employees–thereby enhancing NC State’s commitment to public engagement.
Carrie has served in a number of roles at the McKimmon Center, becoming an expert in many different arenas. If there is a question regarding anything, Carrie either already knows the answer, or knows how to find it. In addition to being very knowledgeable, she has a positive, can-do attitude. Whatever it takes for McKimmon guests to have a positive experience, Carrie will pitch in and make sure it gets taken care of.
Carrie’s involvement begins long before the day of an event. Her advice and accuracy in planning is unmatched. She has fantastic communication skills, and is gifted at figuring out exactly what her clients need, even if the clients themselves don’t know at first. When Hurricane Florence had his sights set on North Carolina last year, Carrie was attending a conference in St. Louis; even from 650 miles away, she was communicating with her clients.
Carrie embodies the trademark characteristics of Mary Frances Hester: “dedication, loyalty, commitment, quality in effectively addressing constituency needs, providing a supportive work environment, and contributing to the goals of the McKimmon Center and the land-grant mission of NC State University.”
Alice Warren Recognized with UPCEA’s Julius M. Nolte Award
Alice Warren Concludes Tenure as 2016-17 UPCEA President
During her term, Ms. Warren focused on supporting and expanding the organization’s membership. In serving as an ambassador for the association to its 400+ institutional, corporate, and affiliate members-as well as its 4,000+ professional members-Ms. Warren traveled approximately 28,000 miles during her 12 months in office. She crisscrossed the country from Minneapolis to Chicago, down the east coast as far south as Florida, over to Texas, New Mexico, and California, as well as international trips to Toronto, Canada and York, England.
Alice Warren Recognized with UPCEA’s Walton S. Bittner Service Citation
Ben Garner Certified as Extron AV Associate
Nancy Huber Receives Pride of the Wolfpack Award
Pride of the Wolfpack is an “on the spot” award designed to recognize NC State employees for a special or unique contribution to their college/unit or the University. Nancy Huber, Program Manager for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), received the Pride of the Wolfpack Award for her outstanding dedication and customer service and going above the call of the duty during a period when OLLI was operating with only half of its staff.
2018 Awards for Excellence Nominees
Denise Healy Earns the Social Media Management Certificate
Denise Healy, Scheduling Coordinator with Technology Training Solutions, recently earned her Certificate of Social Media Management. Denise completed 36 hours of social media training over 12 weeks, along with a capstone social media project, to earn her certificate.
Chris Heggie Receives Pride of the Wolfpack Award
Pride of the Wolfpack is an “on the spot” award designed to recognize NC State employees for a special or unique contribution to their college/unit or the University.
2017 Service Awards
The following employees are being recognized by NC State for their years of excellent service. Congratulations go out to each of them from all of us here at the McKimmon Center.
Jeff Barnes, Marketing Services
Bill Frothingham, Print Services
Caren Ostrow, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Melissa Whitley, The Collaborative
Keith Wygant, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Austin Ambrose, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Patricia Corbino, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Greg Emma, McKimmon Conference & Training Center
James McDonald, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Chris Muessig, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Jonathan Ashe, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Kelly Hinkle, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Jaclyn Johnson, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Kevin McDermott, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Kevin Stover, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Anthony Wells, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Donna Hughes, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Three McKimmon Staffers Receive Pride of the Wolfpack Award
Pride of the Wolfpack is an “on the spot” award designed to recognize NC State employees for a special or unique contribution to their college/unit or the University.
Melissa Whitley Earns CPP Designation
Sara Hughes Graduates from Equal Opportunity Institute
2017 Awards for Excellence Nominees
L-R: Laina Stensvold, Aimee Jones, Dax Prather
The Awards for Excellence program, established by the State of North Carolina, recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of NC State employees who have made a significant contribution to their department, division, the University community or the lives of others. Laina Stensvold, Program Assistant, Office of Professional Development; Aimee Jones, Functional Lead, Office of Professional Development; and Dax Prather, Technology Support Engineer, Technology Training Solutions, were nominated for the Awards for Excellence for the Office of the Provost.
McKimmon Conference and Training Center Recognized as a Wolfpack Certified Sustainable Workplace
L-R: Greg Emma (Assistant Director, Client Relations), Ryan Lawrence (Building Superintendent), Chip Futrell (Director, Continuing & Professional Education)
In April 2017, the McKimmon Conference and Training Center was certified by the NC State University Sustainability Office as a Sustainable Workplace at the Steward level. Sustainable Workplace Certification offers campus departments the opportunity to be more sustainable and earn recognition for these efforts. Campus entities earn points for adopting, or completing, sustainable practices in these categories: energy and water, transportation, purchasing, food and events, health and wellness, waste reduction and sustainability leadership. The goal of Wolfpack Certified Sustainable is to further sustainability at NC State by providing helpful information and encouragement for campus entities to institute sustainable practices in workplaces and campus-related events.
2017 MCE&CE Bake-Off Champions Crowned
2015 Service Awards
The following employees are being recognized by NC State for their years of excellent service. Congratulations go out to each of them from all of us here at the McKimmon Center.
Paul Brown, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Kerrie Cave, Office of Professional Development
David Meek, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Ashley Schwed, Office of Professional Development
Allen Sofley, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Holly Sullenger, Technology Training Solutions
Amy Whitfield, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Bruce Bentley, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Akia Beverly-Worsley, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Sandra Carlos, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Ryan Hancock, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Sara Hughes, Gateway The Collaborative at the Gateway Technology Center
Michael Mahoney, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Lashonda Stancil, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Stacie Varner, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Kun Yang, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Dora Jernigan, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Aimee Jones, Office of Professional Development
Charlie Quick, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
Yevonne Brannon, Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services
2016-2017 Mary Frances Hester Service Award
His devotion to others and to the success of our organization is evident in his willingness to go out of his way to suggest better business-related activities to his employees, provide accurate and timely financial information to co-workers, and to improve the quality of life for all of North Carolina’s citizens, one small deed at a time. Randy never fails to ask how he can help anyone who appears to be in need, including clients who contact the Finance and Accounting department by phone, email or in person. Randy not only has a keen eye for accounting procedures, but he also has a huge heart and genuinely cares for people. Randy extends the University to previously underserved citizens by helping annually with McKimmon’s food drives, which provide food assistance to those in need around our campus through the Feed the Pack Pantry and our Upper Coastal Plain Learning Council and Gateway Technology Centers. In recent years, he spearheaded the collection of funds for the first Wilson Engineering Camp, sponsored by the UCPLC, to further the access of outreach initiatives to underserved, young middle school students. He also helped procure dental supplies to use in the UCPLC’s Wisdom Tooth program. Randy has also volunteered with NC State’s Packapalooza festival and currently serves on the NC State Staff Senate, an advisory body to the University Chancellor.
He is a kind, persevering person, McKimmon ambassador, and a valuable employee at NC State University.
Aimee Hepler Jones Receives Pride of the Wolfpack Award
McKimmon Housekeeping Staff Celebrated During 2016 International Housekeeping Week
It takes a lot of hard-working people to keep a building this size clean and in order for our clients and students. McKimmon employees are grateful for the efforts put forth by the building’s housekeeping staff; on September 14, employees gathered to recognize and thank the housekeeping staff (those pictured here, as well as others who could not be present) for their year-round contributions to helping us serve the public.
Janice Sitzes Earns Doctoral Degree
Lossie Rooney and Melissa Whitley Graduate from Equal Opportunity Institute
Lossie Rooney, Office Manager for the McKimmon Conference and Training Center, and Melissa Whitley, University Program Associate for The Collaborative at the Gateway Technology Center, graduated on April 27, 2016 from the North Carolina State University Equal Opportunity Institute (EOI). The EOI, established in 1999 to improve individual knowledge of equal opportunity issues, was developed as a program to improve overall campus climate through developing understanding and skills necessary to effectively engage with increasingly diverse working and learning environments. Faculty, staff, students and community members take part in this experience to enhance their professional development. Lossie is an EOI Graduate who returned and completed at least three additional courses to graduate as a Graduate Scholar; Melissa completed at least 10 electives to graduate as a Special Recognition Graduate.
OPD Receptionist Honored on Administrative Professionals Day for Outstanding Service
Sandy Slezak, receptionist for the Office of Professional Development (OPD), was selected by radio station MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM for an Administrative Appreciation Luncheon held April 27, 2016 at Brio Tuscan Grill in Raleigh. Sandy was nominated by Kerrie Cave, Assistant Director, OPD, for her complete dedication to her job, exemplary customer service, and team spirit.
Brad Eargle Earns Certified Technology Specialist Certification
2016 Awards for Excellence Nominees
The Awards for Excellence program, established by the State of North Carolina, recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of NC State employees who have made a significant contribution to their department, division, the University community or the lives of others. Ben Garner, Assistant Director, Technology & Support Services for the McKimmon Conference & Training Center; Juanita Lanning, Manager, Print Services; Ryan Lawrence, Building Superintendent for the McKimmon Conference & Training Center; Janice Sitzes, Assistant Director, Marketing Services; and Holly Sullenger, Assistant Director, Technology Training Solutions, were nominated for the Awards for Excellence for the Office of the Provost. Holly Sullenger was also selected to represent the Office of the Provost at the University-level Awards for Excellence.
Ben Garner and Cheryl Broughton Commissioned as Notaries
Sara Hughes Earns CPP Designation
Sara Hughes, University Program Associate with the ECU/NC State University Collaborative at the Gateway Technology Center in Rocky Mount, earned the Certified Program Planner (CPP) designation from the Learning Resources Network (LERN). Sara completed an 11-module program addressing various models of program management and successfully passed a certification exam.
Sevante Bishop Earns Associate’s Degree
Marketing Services Wins Two 2015 UPCEA Marketing Awards
Two promotion pieces created by Marketing Services received 2015 Excellence in Marketing Awards from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA). The brochure for MCE&CE’s Customized Contractual Education received a Bronze Award and was created by Andy Billingsley, Manager, Customized Contractual Education; Randy Schiener, Multi-media Designer; and Janice Sitzes, Assistant Director, Marketing. The postcard for the 2015 Summer Institute in English received a Silver Award; Janice Sitzes and Ashley Schwed, Program Coordinator, produced the postcard in conjunction with NC State’s Foreign Languages and Literatures.
2015-2016 Mary Frances Hester Service Award
Ben Garner, Assistant Director, Technology & Support Services for the McKimmon Conference & Training Center, received the Mary Frances Hester Service Award in recognition for his leadership and loyalty to providing excellent customer service to every client–both internal and external–who relies on the McKimmon Center for successful programs and meetings.
Ben inspires and empowers his team to be their best so they can provide exceptional customer service to the various clients, attendees, and employees at the McKimmon Center. He and his team work quickly and professionally to respond to requests and solve any problems that may arise. Ben never fails to follow up after every event, asking if everything was set up properly, if the event well, and if everything worked to the client’s satisfaction. Not only is Ben professional and efficient, but he is always cheerful, positive, and helpful.
Ben’s professional and personal attributes exemplify the spirit of service and help improve the quality of life for North Carolina’s citizens.
2015 MCE&CE Chili Cook-Off Champions Crowned
Ryan Lawrence Earns Energy Management Diploma
Sara Hughes Makes Poster Presentation at USDLA Conference
Six MCE&CE Employees Earn CPP Designation
Six employees of the McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education earned the Certified Program Planner (CPP) designation from the Learning Resources Network (LERN). Kerrie Cave, Iyana Porter, Ashley Henderson Schwed, Laina Stensvold, and Jeremy Watson from the Office of Professional Development, and Jeffrey Barnes from Marketing, completed an 11-module program addressing various models of program management and successfully passed a certification exam.
Dr. Yevonne Brannon Receives Razor Walker Award
Dr. Yevonne Brannon, Director of the Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services, has been selected by the University of North Carolina-Wilmington’s Watson College of Education as a recipient of the 2015 Razor Walker Award, an award for distinguished service to the children and youth of North Carolina. Since 1993, the Razor Walker Awards have honored individuals whose vision, tenacity, courage and sacrifice have made a difference in the lives of young people in North Carolina.
Holly Sullenger Receives NCACPA’s 2014 Outstanding Professional Speaker Award
2015 MCE&CE Bake-off Champions Crowned
Rob Chapman and Ben Garner Earn Certified Technology Specialist Certification
Lossie Rooney Graduates from Citizen’s Police Academy
Darla Alexander Receives the Social Media Certificate
Darla Alexander, Program Assistant with Technology Training Solutions, recently earned her Certificate of Social Media Management. Darla completed 42 hours of social media training over 14 weeks, along with a capstone social media project, to earn her diploma.
CUACS Graphic Artist Pat Cotton Wins Logo Design Contest
The creative talents of Pat Cotton, Graphic Artist for the Center for Urban Affairs & Community Services, received university-wide recognition when her design submission was selected as the winning logo for NC State’s African American Faculty Staff Organization.
2014 Award for Excellence Recipients
The Awards for Excellence program, established by the State of North Carolina, recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of NC State employees who have made a significant contribution to their department, division, the University community or the lives of others. Carrie Hayes-Bjorkquist, Catering Coordinator for the McKimmon Conference & Training Center; Cheryl McKenzie, Program Assistant in the Office of Professional Development; Ashley Schwed, Program Assistant in the Office of Professional Development; and Stacie Varner, Executive Assistant with the Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services (CUACS), were selected for the Provost Unit’s Award for Excellence. Cheryl McKenzie was also selected to represent the Provost’s Unit at the University-level Awards for Excellence.
2014 Facilities Engineering Management Diploma Graduate
2014 Service Awards
The following employees are being recognized by NC State for their years of excellent service. Congratulations go out to each of them from all of us here at the McKimmon Center.
5 Years
Demetrius Harrison, Urban Affairs
10 Years
Rebekah Bellaj, OLLI
Airess Eatmon, Urban Affairs
Charles Fredlaw, Urban Affairs
Michael Graham, Urban Affairs
Chris Heggie, Accounting Office
Matt Krist, Urban Affairs
Chantelle Miles, Urban Affairs
Shedrick Samuels, Office of Professional Development
Colleen Taylor, Urban Affairs
James Williamson, Office of Professional Development
15 Years
Joyce Barron, Vice Provost’s Office
Rob Chapman, Facilities Support
Kerry Christian, Urban Affairs
Ben Garner, Facilities Support
Randy Jones, Accounting Office
Kathleen Snyder, Urban Affairs
Chris Warren, Urban Affairs
20 Years
Deborah Hagemann, Urban Affairs
Cindy Sumerel, Urban Affairs
30 Years
Randy Craven, Urban Affairs
Mikel Jones, Urban Affairs
UPCEA South “Outstanding Service to Continuing Education Award”
Alice Warren, Vice Provost for Continuing Education, received the Outstanding Service to Continuing Education Award by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) South Region. She was honored in front of her peers at the UPCEA South Regional Conference held in Birmingham, AL from October 16-18, 2013. Ms. Warren has been a dedicated leader in UPCEA at both the regional and national levels. She currently serves as the Chair of the 2014 UPCEA National Conference and Advisory Committee and is the former chair of the Awards Committee.
2013 Equal Opportunity Institute Graduate
2013 Fiber Optics Certifications
Four McKimmon staffers have recently earned Certified Fiber Optics training certifications through Technology Training Solutions, in partnership with BDI DataLynk. Odis Newsome earned his Certified Fiber Optics Technician (CFOT); Rob Chapman, Brad Eargle, and Ben Garner each earned three certifications—CFOT, Certified Fiber Optics Specialist in Testing & Maintenance (CFOS/T), and Certified Fiber Optics Specialist/Splicing (CFOS/S).
2013 Service Awards
The following employees are being recognized by NC State for their years of excellent service. Congratulations go out to each of them from all of us here at the McKimmon Center.
5 Years
Andrew Armstrong, Urban Affairs
Sevante Bishop, Facilities Support
Pat Cotton, Urban Affairs
Betty Hair, Vice Provost’s Office
Lindsey Hardin, Urban Affairs
Carrie Hayes Bjorkquist, Client Relations
Nancy Huber, Encore Program
Charlie Johnson, Urban Affairs
Ryan Lawrence, Facilities Support
Cheryl McKenzie, Office of Professional Development
Greg Smedley, Urban Affairs
Marx Thotakura, Urban Affairs
Ginny Tyson, Urban Affairs
10 Years
Karen Eller, Urban Affairs
Tom Englehart, Urban Affairs
Jill Hebeisen, Urban Affairs
Priscilla May, Accounting Office
Janice Sitzes, Marketing
Amy Weaver, Accounting Office
15 Years
Chris Horsley, Urban Affairs
Charlie Minton, Urban Affairs
Cindy Sumerel, Urban Affairs
20 Years
Susie Godwin, Urban Affairs
Joevelyn Heard-Leak, Urban Affairs
Jeff Labelle, Urban Affairs
Juanita Lanning, Print Shop
21 Years
Trish Inlow-Hatcher, Encore Program
26 Years
Chris Labrie, LAN/IT
NC State Staff Senate
Ryan Hancock, Administrative Support Specialist with Urban Affairs, currently serves as the 2013-2014 Chair of the Staff Senate, NC State’s advisory board to the Chancellor, representing the campus’ 5,500+ SPA and EPA non-faculty employees. In this role, Ryan meets regularly with Campus Administration, reports to the Board of Trustees, and represents NC State University at the University of North Carolina Assembly.
Two staff members of the McKimmon Center — D. Phyllis Laughlin, Urban Affairs and Community Services, and Lossie Rooney, Front Desk Representative, Client Relations — have been elected to the Staff Senate to represent the Office of the Provost for 2013-2015. A third staff member — Jeannine Lindsay, Client Relations Specialist, Client Relations — was also nominated for this honor.