Staff Excellence Awards
As a part of Northeastern University’s commitment to excellence, the university will award four Excellence Awards in recognition of the accomplishments of our talented staff. All staff members are critical to Northeastern reaching its organizational goals; recipients of the Excellence Awards go above and beyond as champions of our communities to advance and support the university’s mission.
Award Categories
The Staff Excellence Awards recognize exceptional contributions in four key areas that drive Northeastern’s success as a global university network.
Innovation Across the Network
Leverages Northeastern's innovative, global environment to generate impact across the university and beyond.
Driver of Community and Belonging
Fuels initiatives that empower marginalized communities and elevate unheard voices.
Model Mentor and Coach
Actively mentors colleagues and has coaching conversations that drive growth and development.
Dream Team
Collaborates in strategic, synergistic ways to achieve exceptional results together.
Meet Our Excellence Award Recipients
Celebrating the exceptional staff who embody Northeastern’s values and drive our mission forward.
Joseph Cooke
Computational Scientist
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.
Khoury TA Hiring Managers
Team Award
This group was called a “well-oiled machine” that tackled problems and solved issues on a variety of cases across Northeastern.
Jada Jackson
Community Engagement Manager
Jada’s leadership in organizing Northeastern University’s Heart of Charlotte Awards was noted as significantly elevating the event’s importance and visibility.
Beyazmin Jimenez
Director of Belonging and Engagement
Beya was commended for fostering belonging through staff retreats, mentorship programs, facilitating difficult conversations, and maintaining an open-door policy.
Girlie Delacruz
Associate Vice Chancellor of Teaching and Learning
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.
Maricla Pirozzi
Director of Multi-Disciplinary Graduate Engineering Programs
Maricla Pirozzi was recognized for her strategic, goal-oriented approach, fostering cross-functional partnerships, accountability, and inclusivity.
The Toronto Operation Team
Team Award
This Toronto Operation Team was commended for their innovative spirit, commitment to excellence, and seamless collaboration.
Khoury College Graduate Recruitment Team
Team Award
This team was said to showcase exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and collaborative spirit that resulted in graduate recruitment and diversity in computing.
Excellence Awards History
Since its inception, Northeastern’s staff have played a crucial role in our university’s success. As the university has grown, our staff colleagues have excelled in innovation, creativity, and service.
Established in 2011, the Staff Excellence Awards honor the remarkable achievements of our dedicated staff. Since reimagining these awards for 2025, we continue to celebrate those whose contributions shape Northeastern’s past, present, and future.
