Staff Member Personifies Commitment to Serve

Claudia Kearney personifies NC State’s commitment to serve. As a staff trainer for the college’s Center for Family and Community Engagement, she provides outreach and training to all of North Carolina’s 100 counties. When she’s not traveling the state, she might be found developing training materials in collaboration with partners such as the NC Division of Social Services and UNC-Chapel Hill Jordan Institute.  She also represents the university and the center at national and international conferences and as a member of the Governor’s Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs.

Kearney is among five NC State staff members who have earned recognition for service from the university through the Awards for Excellence program. The winners were chosen from among 45 nominees from colleges and units across the NC State campus and will be considered for the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the fall.

“Claudia’s outstanding training is helping service providers across North Carolina partner in new ways with the families they serve — and in ways that keep the well-being of children at the very center of all they do,” says Kara Allen-Eckard, CFFACE training coordinator. “She is not afraid to ask tough questions, to roll up her sleeves to work hard, and to speak up on behalf of families, children, and youth in everything she does. Whether she’s developing curricula, providing training, or collaborating with community partners, Claudia stays focused on meeting the needs of North Carolina’s families, children, and youth.”

CFFACE is a public service and research center at NC State that fosters collaborations between families, their communities, and the academic resources of the university.  In addition to providing training and technical assistance to its community partners, the center works with interdisciplinary partners on the local, national, and global levels to improve family and community health and well-being.