We recognize some of the College’s stellar staff members each year who are exceptional in their dedication to CoE and help build a culture of excellence and positivity.
Soaring Jacket Award
Meet our 2024 Winners
Chirag Patel
Academic Advisor II
Aerospace Engineering
Lisa Zuba
Grants Administrator Lead
Biomedical Engineering
Nisha Kukreja
Faculty Support Coordinator
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Shauna Bennett-Boyd
Administrative Manager II
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Dante Christmas
Unit Administrative Officer
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Monike Welch
Event Coordinator II
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Coco Ke
Administrative Manager II
Materials Science and Engineering
DeMarlo West
Program & Operations Manager
Mechanical Engineering
Exceptional employees are self-motivated, critical thinkers that hold themselves accountable for the quality of their work and their interactions with others. The College of Engineering Soaring Jacket Award seeks to recognize a staff member displaying true exceptionalism through these traits and behaviors:
- Goes above and beyond in the execution of responsibilities
- A go-getter with a consistently positive attitude
- Exhibits a high level of professionalism
- Team player that inspires others
- Displays genuine concern and care for colleagues
- Consistently produces an exceptional quality of work
- Effective problem-solver
Any CoE staff or faculty member may submit a nomination or letter of support for a staff member. One Soaring Jacket is selected from each School and each winner receives $300.
Staff Innovation & Process Improvement Award
2024 Winner
Scott Jacobson
Application Developer Senior
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Creative thinkers are the backbone of a successful organization and the conduit for progress. The College of Engineering Innovation & Process Improvement Award seeks to celebrate our forward thinkers, who are critical to propelling our Institute forward.
The award recognizes a staff member or team of staff members who have utilized creative thinking to develop and implement a process, plan, or solution benefitting the School, College, or Institute in one of the manners below:
- Cost savings
- Time savings
- Work productivity
- Compliance or risk management
- Safety
- Program success
One individual or one team will be selected and a monetary award of $3,000 will be provided to the winning individual or split amongst team members.
Culture Champion Award
Meet our 2023 Winners
Cheryl Scott
Acquisition Support Supervisor
Aerospace Engineering
Sheyil Taylor
Faculty Support Coordinator
Biomedical Engineering
Nisha Kukreja
Faculty Support Coordinator
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Tracey Boothe-Miller
Academic Program Manager
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Mitsuko Ito
Academic Program Coordinator
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Julie Smith
Unit Administrative Officer
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Hope Payne
Faculty Support Coordinator
Materials Science and Engineering
Mack Curtis
Academic Assistant
Mechanical Engineering
People are Georgia Tech’s greatest assets. The culture in which we work helps bring out the best in our employees and promotes a sense of belonging. Culture includes the behaviors, beliefs, assumptions, priorities, and experiences of the people in an environment.
Great workplace culture doesn’t just happen; it must be actively and intentionally cultivated. Culture can drive and enhance performance and growth. A positive work culture:
- Builds trust
- Is team-oriented and collaborative
- Allows for open and transparent communication
- Values and celebrates hard work and expertise
- Involves and empowers employees
- Gives staff “permission” to go the extra mile
- Recognizes the efforts and achievements of others
To highlight individuals in CoE who are striving to build a better culture in their School and in the College, the CoE Staff Culture Advisory Council (COESCAC) created the Culture Champion Award.
This award recognizes a staff member in each CoE school who advocates for a positive and productive culture and works to support and/or develop successful cultural practices — one who strives to make a difference. Nomination packages can use the positive work culture descriptors above as a guide and provide examples where appropriate.
Any staff or faculty member may submit a nomination or letter of support for a staff member of their School. One winner per school will be selected and announced at Staff Engagement Day. Their name will be added to a wall plaque in their School.