Sean West, IT Operations Analyst for MSE, received well-deserved recognition today at the NC State College of Engineering’s Faculty and Staff Awards of Excellence ceremony. As a nominee of Safety and Heroism, a plaque was presented to West for his extraordinary contributions to campus safety and crisis response.
To his surprise and the cheers of colleagues, West is selected as a 2025 College of Engineering’s Award of Excellence winner in his category. This prestigious honor now advances him to compete for the University-wide Awards for Excellence, to be announced at a future date.
“Sean West is one of those rare individuals who combines technical expertise with a deep sense of responsibility for the safety and well-being of others. His calm leadership during emergencies and his dedication to student training and departmental support make him an invaluable part of our community. We’re incredibly proud to see his contributions recognized at the college level, and we’re cheering him on as he advances to the university awards.”
— Dr. Don Brenner, Department Head, Materials Science and Engineering
Nomination
West’s nomination highlights his leadership in safety training for students, emergency response during facility crises, and his unwavering commitment to cybersecurity. From leading safety orientations and fire extinguisher drills to calmly managing major building incidents like flooding and outages, West’s proactive spirit and problem-solving mindset make a lasting impact across the department.
He also shines as a mentor and community builder, always ready to lend a hand at Open House events, celebrate coworkers’ milestones, and provide critical IT and safety support to faculty, staff, and students alike.
Sean West embodies the values of service, safety, and excellence. The department celebrates this recognition and proudly supports him as he advances to the next level of the Awards for Excellence program.
Notable Colleague
The department also proudly recognizes Kara Mack, who was nominated in the category of Customer Service. At the time of her nomination, Mack served in MSE as a valued Accounting Technician known for her friendly professionalism, problem-solving attitude, and support for students and faculty alike. She has since been promoted to a new role in the Department of Computer Science, but her impact on MSE is still felt and deeply appreciated.
The MSE department congratulates both Sean and Kara for their well-earned recognition and thanks them for their continued service to the NC State community.
