Office of Personal & Career Development staffers recognized at NCACE conference

Senior Associate Director, Employer Relations, Lori Sykes and Director of Employer Relations Dana Hutchens were honored at the May annual conference for the North Carolina Association of Colleges and Employers (NCACE).

Lori Sykes

Senior Associate Director, Employer Relations, Lori Sykes was awarded the 2024 Furney K. James Outstanding Service Award.

This award recognizes a member for significant contribution to the organization through leadership, participation and positive impact on the association. Her nomination included these words: “As a past president, Lori continues to help usher in the next pipeline of NC leaders through her continued involvement on committees, executive board, employer relations group, mentor program, Leadership Institute, and so much more. Her leadership during COVID led the charge to figure out how to move forward as an association during our ‘new normal.’”

Sykes has held numerous roles including president, past president, conference co-chair, and secretary. She was the 2013-2014 Presidential Recognition Award recipient.

Dana Hutchens

Director of Employer Relations Dana Hutchens was honored with the Presidential Recognition Award for her leadership contributions.

Her nomination included these words: “Dana has given countless hours in working as the treasurer to ensure proper processes and procedures.…Dana has a strong sense of ownership to help ensure the success of the organization and is always willing to help whether it is on the executive board or with the conference committee. She strikes a balance between consulting with others to share her knowledge and giving emerging leaders opportunities to take on a new challenge themselves. She has served in about every possible role.…[yet] somehow manages to jump in any time there is an important and difficult task at hand.… She deserves a golden crown for what she has done this year for our organization!”

A member of NCACE for more than 27 years, Hutchens served as president in 2015-2016. She is also the only two-time recipient of the Furney K. James Outstanding Service Award.

About NCACE

The NCACE organization began in 1969 as the North Carolina Placement Association, in which its purpose is to bring together all facets of the business, industrial, governmental and post-secondary level educational institutions within North Carolina with the goal of economic growth, employment, and professional development. With an original membership of 104 members, the organization has tripled to more than 350 members in 2023.