The NC State IT Community Awards recognizes teams and individuals who have made a significant collaborative impact within the IT Community.

Thanks to those who nominated a team or individual!

Nominees and recipients were recognized on Monday, March 2nd, at the closing session of the 2026 IT Community Event.

Operational Excellence Team Award

The Operational Excellence Team Award recognizes a team that has functioned exceptionally well and collaborated within and across organizational structures in fulfillment of its operational responsibilities.

Nominees:

• Facilities IT Team
• Cross-functional ServiceNow Team
• EAS Financials Team
• Delta – Innovative Learning Spaces and Support

Recipients: Cross-functional ServiceNow Team

• Fernanda D’Amorim, OIT
• Rashmika Gundu, OIT
• Raquel Johnson, OIT
• Terrence Porretto, OIT
• Sarah Clements, OIT
• Nik Davlantis, OIT
• Maria Fister, Finance
• Q Peiffer, DELTA
• Grace Hatterschide, DELTA

Extraordinary Project Team Award

The Extraordinary Project Team Award recognizes a high-functioning team that has facilitated, promoted or advanced the university’s goals, mission, vision and values through its collaborative project-focused efforts.

Nominees:

• Education Technology Collaborative:  2025 NC State Program Committee
• Graduate School IT Team
• Sciences Server Rooms

Recipients: Graduate School IT Team

• Raj Bhosale
• Rushik Patel

Team Player Award

The Team Player Award recognizes a person who has taken the initiative to foster collaboration, communication and cooperation with units or individuals outside their department. This individual has performed at a level above and beyond in bringing the campus community together, while also furthering the department’s or university’s goals and mission while upholding its values.

Nominees:

• Fernanda D’Amorim
• Brian Dyer
• Q Peiffer
• Chris Bettini
• Samson Teshome
• Michael Eldridge

Recipient: Q Peiffer

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award recognizes a new employee (employed three years or less in an IT-related role at the university) who has made significant contributions to their area or to the university community in a collaborative way. This individual has innovative ideas, has made significant contributions, and has volunteered to assist when and where needed. This individual will have a demonstrated record of improvement, excellent customer service, and cooperation, and be a self-starter with a take-charge attitude.

Nominees:

• Chelsea Sutton
• Jewell Pratt
• Logan Feid
• Khaled Badwan

Recipient: Chelsea Sutton