DASA Announces Division-Level Awards for Excellence

Each school year, NC State’s Awards for Excellence celebrate employees whose contributions go above and beyond their everyday responsibilities. 

These awards honor individuals whose achievements are so exceptional that they deserve special distinction, whether through their impact on their departments, divisions, the NC State community, the state of North Carolina or the lives of others.

Each department or division selects nominees for consideration at the university level, and this year, a committee of Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA) faculty and staff selected four division-level winners from a pool of excellent nominees.

As DASA’s winners, Jenna Jeslis (University Housing), Leslie Cochran (Multicultural Student Affairs), Jesse Proctor (University Housing Facilities) and Emmanuel Akogyeram (Wellness and Recreation) received $250 checks, eight hours of annual leave and will be considered for university-level awards, which will be announced in June. 

“Our Awards for Excellence nominees and recipients embody the heart of what makes DASA, and NC State, so special,” said DASA Vice Chancellor and Dean Doneka R. Scott. “Their passion, leadership and dedication have touched the lives of students, colleagues and our greater community in powerful ways. It’s a privilege to celebrate their achievements and to be reminded that behind every program, every service and every success story, there are incredible individuals making it all possible. We are grateful for everything they bring to our Pack.”

Proctor, who serves as the plumbing supervisor for the University Housing Facilities team, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the plumbing systems across NC State’s residence halls remain in exceptional working condition. Proctor’s nominator, University Housing director of facilities and business operations Pete Fraccaroli, noted that Proctor’s dedication to maintenance, along with his involvement in numerous projects, consistently enhances the facilities and makes them more accessible to NC State’s student population. 

“Jesse is not only an extraordinarily skilled plumber but also a dedicated and hardworking supervisor who gives 100 percent effort to every task he undertakes,” Fraccaroli wrote. “His commitment to serving the needs of NC State students, as well as his ability to lead his team through challenges, makes him an invaluable member of the Housing Facilities team.”

Jeslis, Housing’s assistant director for Residence Life, has spent the past two years helping lead her team through significant change, playing a key role in revamping Residence Life coordinator training to focus on team building and professional development. 

Jeslis was nominated by Residence Life Director Meghan Luzader, who noted that Jeslis has also spent the past two years as part of the host team for the North Carolina Housing Officers’ state-wide conference. 

“Jenna’s leadership, passion and care for our students have significantly transformed Residence Life, and her efforts have made University Housing a standout in our profession,” Luzader wrote. “Her impact has been felt across the department and beyond, and she continues to set a high standard for excellence.”

Cochran, an administrative support specialist for Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) was nominated by MSA Director Jameco McKenzie. McKenzie noted that Cochran “embodies the highest standards of service and leadership, going above and beyond her role to enhance the experiences of students, staff and faculty.” 

McKenzie praised Cochran for her work in onboarding new MSA employees, and ensuring that each student organization that the center serves has everything they need to successfully hold events and programming. 

“Leslie’s contributions to MSA and the broader NC State community are immeasurable,” McKenzie wrote. “She fosters a culture of belonging and collaboration, ensuring that all individuals, especially students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, receive the support they need. She offers wisdom on professionalism, life experiences and career development, inspiring students and staff alike to grow beyond their perceived limitations.”

Akogyeram, Wellness and Recreation’s director of Facilities Operations, was nominated for the Spirit of North Carolina Award by Kaylyn Poole, a Wellness and Recreation student Facilities Operations program assistant. 

Akogyeram oversees the hiring, onboarding and training of the Facilities Operations program assistants, which is Wellness and Recreation’s highest student position. Poole stated that Akogyeram’s ability to connect with the students he mentors sets him apart. 

“Emmanuel’s deep commitment to understanding the people around him and guiding them toward excellence makes him an exceptional mentor and leader,” Poole wrote. “Many people can manage a group, but few can leave such a lasting impact on those they lead. Emmanuel is one of those rare individuals who inspires excellence in others and actively works to cultivate it. 

No matter where my future takes me, the lessons I’ve learned from Emmanuel will stay with me. His influence has shaped my leadership skills and, more importantly, has profoundly impacted my time at NC State. I am proud to call him my mentor, and I can think of no one more deserving of the Spirit of North Carolina Award.”