Fwd: [CSC - Faculty & Staff] Congratulations to Our Spring 2026 Carla Savage Awards for Awesomeness!
Tiffany Barnes
From: 'Georgios Rouskas' via csc-faculty-staff <csc-facu...@lists.ncsu.edu>
Date: Fri, Feb 27, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Subject: [CSC - Faculty & Staff] Congratulations to Our Spring 2026 Carla Savage Awards for Awesomeness!
To: Georgios Rouskas <rou...@ncsu.edu>
Dr. Veronica Catete – Most Awesome Assistant Professor
Each year, our community comes together to celebrate excellence:
Spring: Ph.D. Student, Assistant Professor, and Associate Professor Awesomeness
Fall: Staff, Full Professor, and Teaching Professor Awesomeness
New in Fall 2026: Visiting & Research Scholar Awesomeness
For more information about the Carla Savage Awards for Awesomeness, please visit: https://csc.ncsu.edu/carla-savage-awards/
About this Semester’s Honorees
Assistant Prof. Veronica Catete: https://cereal.wordpress.ncsu.edu/. Dr. Catete is recognized for her extraordinary service and "awesomeness" in CS education. In just her 4th year, she has graduated five Ph.D. students and mentored over 80 students, helping position NC State as a world leader in CS education research. A recipient of the Spirit of NC Award for Excellence, she is deeply committed to broadening participation, from running summer camps for K-12 students to leading study abroad programs in Rwanda that help unrepresented groups in STEM. Her lab culture is described as collaborative and enjoyable, where she prepares students to excel while fostering a healthy work-life balance. Students describe her as "understanding, smart, funny, and kind." Whether transitioning students from block-based coding to Python or supporting international students, she consistently goes above and beyond, making her an exceptional role model who strengthens the department's community.
Ph.D. student Madison Thomas: https://www.madisonthomas.net/. Madison is an "exceptional peer" whose impact spans research, teaching, and extensive service. She has authored six publications and has two more under review. Madison has mentored 19 students while at NC State, 12 of whom have participated in research. Her work focuses on cybersecurity education and retention, and she brings this expertise to life by helping develop curriculum and teach summer camps for elementary through high school students. Madison is also a pillar of departmental service; she successfully led the Doctoral Recruitment Day, coordinating logistics to ensure a welcoming experience for potential recruits. Additionally, she currently serves as a TA for Senior Design and Introduction to Computer Science Research Methods, providing insightful feedback and maintaining a steady, reliable presence. Colleagues note that she is always willing to read drafts and clarify ideas, making the research process less intimidating and more collaborative for everyone around her. Madison will be on the job market next academic year, 2026/27.
Congratulations again to our Spring 2026 winners for jobs exceptionally well done!
George Rouskas
Professor and Interim Department Head
NC State Computer Science