2025 Staff Excellence Awards Winners
Congratulations!
Northeastern University is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Staff Excellence Awards. These awards are a testament to the accomplishments and dedication of staff who have made significant contributions to advance and support the entire Northeastern community.
Innovation across the network
Leverages Northeastern’s innovative, global environment to generate impact.
Joseph Cooke
Computational Scientist, Office of the Provost
Reviewers were incredibly impressed by this individual’s outstanding performance, highlighted by receiving the highest number of nominations for the award. Nomination letters paint a picture of Joseph as a transformative force at Northeastern, quietly revolutionizing operations and driving significant change from his role in a small department. His influence and the ripple effect of his efforts are remarkable and inspiring.
The Khoury TA Hiring Managers
Team Award
- Michael Jordan de Vera, Director of Graduate Student Services for Online Programs (NU Silicon Valley)
- Megan Clough Groshek, Assistant Director – Undergraduate Programs, (NU Boston)
- Caley Presby, Associate Director – Network Operations (NU Portland)
- Austin Escalera, Assistant Director – Graduate Student Services (NU Seattle)
- Sweeny Youkhane, Assistant Director – Graduate Student Services (NU Silicon Valley)
- Mahya Payamshad, Assistant Director – Graduate Student Services (NU Vancouver)
- Brinn Strenger, Assistant Director – Graduate Student Services (NU Arlington)
- Darcy Andrade, Network Program Administrator (NU Portland)
- Mackenzie Germain, Faculty Senior HR Associate (NU Boston)
- Rayanne DeRosa, HR Associate (NU Boston)
- Alexander Grob, Associate Director of Software Development (NU Boston)
This group exemplifies a cohesive unit for implementing change in their own work which then had an impact across the network. Team members were mentioned by name in nomination letters and the work they performed contributed to their achievements. This group seemed like a “well-oiled machine” that tackled problems and solved issues on a case-by-case basis across the network.
driver of community and belonging
Fuels initiatives that empower marginalized communities and elevate unheard voices.
Jada Jackson
Community Engagement Manager
Jada’s leadership in organizing Northeastern University’s Heart of Charlotte Awards (HOCA) in 2023, which recognizes impactful individuals and organizations in Charlotte, has significantly elevated the event’s importance and visibility, while also fostering strategic partnerships with Mecklenburg County Public Health and expanding community engagement through various initiatives, including the new on-campus Speech-Language Pathology Center.
Beyazmin Jimenez
Director of Belonging and Engagement, Planning, Real Estate, and Facilities
- Beya excels in fostering belonging through staff retreats, mentorship programs, facilitating difficult conversations, and maintaining an open-door policy, earning high praise for her contributions to embedding a positive culture in PREF, consistently building community, analyzing impacts, and creating opportunities for staff to engage in belonging initiatives.
model mentor and coach
Actively mentors colleagues and has coaching conversations.
Girlie Delacruz
Associate Vice Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Office of the Chancellor
Girlie Delacruz was named a clear choice for the Model Mentor and Coach Award due to her transformative leadership, unwavering support, and profound impact on colleagues through strategic mentorship, belonging advocacy, and fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration.
Maricla Pirozzi
Director of Multi-Disciplinary Graduate Engineering Programs, College of Engineering
Maricla Pirozzi is recognized for her strategic, goal-oriented approach, fostering cross-functional partnerships, accountability, and inclusivity, which has streamlined processes and elevated team development across global campuses through personalized mentorship and advocacy for various perspectives
dream team
Collaborates in strategic, complex ways to meet a team goal.
The Toronto Operation Team
Team Award
- Sam Clarke, Associate Director – Strategic Initiatives
- Kayla Saunders, Operations Coordinator
- Benjamin Braz Rasmussen, Campus Operations Specialist
- Judith Fernandez, Events Specialist
- Noah Pizzirusso, IT Support Specialist
- Tamar Svadjian, Administrative Coordinator
- Nadya Ibrahim, Campus Operations Assistant
- Andra Jasuleviciute, Campus Operations Assistant
- Lisa Skrypnyk, Campus Operations Assistant
- Liam Driscoll, Campus Operations Assistant
- Adaire Stapleton, Campus Operations Assistant
- Nathan Barnes, Campus Operations Assistant
This team was commended for their innovative spirit, commitment to excellence, and seamless collaboration, significantly advancing Northeastern’s success and creating lasting impact on the Toronto campus and within the Global Network through strategic initiatives, event management, and fostering a positive work environment.
The Khoury College Graduate Recruitment Team
Team Award
- Kimberly McCrimmon, Director – Recruitment Marketing (NU Charlotte)
- Samol Ork, Director – Recruitment Operations (NU Silicon Valley)
- Chelsea Smith, Sr. Assistant Director of Recruitment Marketing (NU Boston)
- Pamela Allen, Regional Director – Graduate Recruitment (NU Silicon Valley)
- Dom Rinaldi, Graduate Admissions Counselor (NU Miami)
- Madison Barton, Graduate Admissions Counselor (NU Arlington)
- Timothy Greer, Graduate Admissions Counselor (NU Seattle)
This team showcased exceptional leadership, strategic planning, collaborative spirit, measurable impact, and alignment with Northeastern’s mission, exemplifying innovation, inclusivity, and significant contributions to graduate recruitment and diversity in computing.
Explore Our Excellence Awards
Learn more about our awards and the nomination process.