Shout-outs to Staff
The following are Libraries staff who have received a shout-out from one or more of their colleagues for going out of their way to be extra awesome at their job.
Molly Wilkison
As a total newbie when it comes to retirements and nomination committees and everything, it is amazing to have someone as kind and helpful and on top of things as Molly. They are always there when we have questions or need help and I feel so much better about this process knowing that Molly is taking care of our retirees and our applicants. Thanks so much Molly!
- Beth Ashmore, May 15, 2026
Aryn Baker
Every semester, Aryn helps our team welcome new staff and consultants by guiding us through the process of making laser-engraved badges. Her help means that each new member of our team gets something personalized that makes them feel included from the start—and, most importantly, much more polished and professional than the badges we had before her help. Everyone loves them. We are grateful for her expertise, patience, and generosity, and for the way she keeps making space for this recurring project semester after semester.
Thank you, Aryn, for helping us turn a small idea into something our team really values.
- Alp Tezbasaran, May 11, 2026
Julia Reynolds
Julia Reynolds is one of those rare people who makes everything around them run better, often without anyone fully realizing it. Julia has been a constant and steady presence through it all — expertly managing high-profile events, coordinating meetings, supporting departments across the Libraries, staffing Ask Us, and stepping in wherever she was needed without hesitation. She was the unsung hero behind countless successful events, the kind of person who made difficult things look effortless and who never sought recognition for it. That quiet, generous approach has been her hallmark, and it has meant the world to everyone who has had the pleasure of working alongside her!
- Erik Olson, Apr 27, 2026
Kristy Borda
We want to give a shout out to Kristy for her work on AI instructional content this year, specifically the AI in Textiles and AI in Agriculture workshops. Her easy-going and engaging teaching style helps our patrons gain the essential skills they need to effectively integrate AI tools into their research workflows. We appreciate her collaborative spirit, which makes the process of developing technical content productive and rewarding.
- Shannon Ricci, Alp Tezbasaran, Apr 9, 2026
Adebola Fabiku , Laura Blessing
I want to give a shout out to Adebola, Laura, and the entire Employee Engagement Committee for hosting the recent Supervisor Share-out on Praise and Recognition. The Share-out provided great resources on the topic, easy-to-implement strategies to put praise and recognition into practice, and opportunity for discussion with colleagues. I appreciate the fun and entertaining way they led the session.
- Mara Blake, Apr 9, 2026
David Tully, Sarah Setzer, Virginia Ferris, Abhishek Firodiya, Katelan Haynes, Kristin Snawder, Maria Rice, Kristen Rivers
A huge shout-out to the members of our Student Assistant Program Committee! Among other initiatives, they have coordinated incredible professional development events aimed at supporting the development of our student assistants—including a career panel of librarians who engaged students in exploring potential careers in libraries, and an alumni event where former Libraries student assistants returned to share how their experiences at the Libraries shaped their career trajectories post-NC State. I appreciate the truly great work that this committee put into thoughtfully designing these programs, and in considering the different ways we can continue to invest in the growth of our amazing student assistants. Thanks for all of your efforts, folks!
- Tarida Anantachai, Apr 3, 2026
Konteh Farrar, Will Jackson
Konteh and Will have provided consistent and responsive support in the Teaching & Visualization Lab and Visualization Gallery over the past few weeks. The technology in both spaces has had some inconsistent instabilities, and it really helps to know that we can call on ATU to help troubleshoot and resolve the issues. Konteh and Will have been proactive, showing up for reservations in T&V even if there isn't a reported issue. This helps us feel more confident in supporting our users. During a very busy and stressful time, Konteh and Will have made our jobs a little easier. Thanks to them and everyone in ATU!
- Hannah Rainey, Courtney Hewett, Shaun Bennett, Apr 2, 2026
Katelan Haynes
I want to scream praises for Katelan and the truly exemplary leadership she showed during our 2026 Day of Giving! Her profound dedication to NC State and the Libraries was beyond apparent in all the outstanding efforts she organized, ensuring that the Libraries maintain our continued capacity to support and enhance the vital work and services we are able to provide the campus community and the wider public. From her personal outreach to donors to maintaining the energy and engagement of the entire organization throughout the day, Katelan's skill and unwavering commitment is unmistakable. Her work deserves the highest praise and we are so lucky to have her as our colleague!
- Jennifer Garrett, Apr 1, 2026
Kristen Snawder
Kristen Snawder has done an incredible job stepping into oversight of the Libraries’ Ask Us chat service. Since joining the Libraries, she has brought a level of care and thoughtfulness that has made the service stronger for both our users and our staff.
She consistently helps all of us become better chatters, sharing practical chat tips that range from customer service and tone in an online environment to more library-specific guidance like conducting a reference interview over chat or helping patrons navigate to the right resources. Her guidance is always clear, useful, and grounded in real interactions.
Kristen also takes the time to review chat transcripts and pull together monthly chat shoutouts that highlight what great service looks like in practice, whether that’s a strong reference interview, especially clear communication, or a moment of genuine empathy for a patron’s needs. These shoutouts not only show us all examples of excellent service, but also shine a light on colleagues' work that is often invisible tous and give a real boost to team morale.
If anyone deserves a staff shoutout here, it’s Kristen!
- Anne Burke, Mar 31, 2026
Jordan Booth, Robert LaSane, Troy Blue
Maria, Molly, and I would like to give a massive Shout-out to OLE, especially Jordan, Robert, and Troy for their incredible work with the LHR suite recarpeting project. While others handled the actual recarpeting, these three managed the logistical tetris of getting all our furniture moved out and, more importantly, ensuring every desk and chair found its way back to the right spot. Their hard work helped make our office transition a success. Thanks OLE!
- Laura Blessing, Mar 27, 2026