Gilbert Earns Excellence in Advising Award

Student Media Associate Director Jamie Lynn Gilbert was named the inaugural recipient of the College Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI) Excellence in Advising Award.

The award was announced during a virtual awards ceremony on Oct. 30 as part of the National Student Electronic Media Convention. CBI treasurer Dave Black from University of Wisconsin-Madison presented the award.

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving,” Black said. “[Gilbert] is both kind and firm with her students. She is dedicated to the mission of her university and of her particular media and she is just the best all-around adviser I could possibly think of.”

Gilbert joined NC State Student Media in May 2006 as adviser to the student radio station, WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2. Since that time, she has trained over 800 students in all facets of radio, including programming, promotion and technical operations.

“CBI has more than 200 member media outlets across the country staffed by top-notch advisers,” Gilbert said. “To be the first person to receive the Excellence in Advising Award is a tremendous honor.”

Laura Mooney, WKNC general manager, nominated Gilbert for the award. “Though she is our adviser, Jamie respects her students’ autonomy and individuality,” Mooney said. “This leadership style that Jamie employs gives student leaders the room to grow into themselves and feel as though their choices, and subsequent results, are their own.”

Erika Bass, WKNC’s content manager and chainsaw rock music director, also provided a recommendation for Gilbert. “Not only has Jamie helped me with WKNC, but she has helped me in the world beyond WKNC, as well,” Bass said. “She is always there if you need her. Jamie has always had my back and treated me as if I was one of her own. Every time I see her, I give her a hug because she means so much me.”

“Jamie’s positive influence extends far beyond the walls of the radio station here at NC State,” wrote Patrick Neal, director of Student Media, in his letter of support. “As our associate director, she fulfills a variety of roles and sets a positive example for all our media organizations, from responsible budgeting to rigorous assessment. I’ve never met anyone with a steadier ethical compass or a more robust work ethic. She is an exemplary adviser in the truest sense of that word.”

This is Gilbert’s third advising award. In 2017 she received the Student Organization Outstanding Organization Advisor award during the NC State Student Leadership, Engagement and Development Awards. Gilbert also received the Honor Roll Four-Year Broadcast Adviser award from the College Media Association in 2011.