NC State University has recognized Campus Enterprises employees with the 2025 Eastman Chemical Campus Safety Awards, which celebrate individuals and departments that demonstrate exceptional commitment to fostering a safe, proactive workplace environment.
Linda Marciniak, Campus Enterprises assistant director for human resources, received the individual award for her leadership in improving employee access to medical care following workplace injuries.
When a late-night employee injury highlighted challenges in transporting staff to medical care after hours, Marciniak collabored with NC State’s Workers’ Compensation Office to develop a new process allowing injured employees to use approved rideshare transportation to reach urgent care facilities, beginning with Concentra Urgent Care as a pilot site. The initiative, designed to improve both safety and efficiency, has the potential to expand university-wide.
“Linda saw a real-world problem and turned it into an opportunity for innovation,” said Rich Berlin, associate vice chancellor for Campus Enterprises. “Her initiative and compassion reflect the best of NC State’s safety culture.”
For more than eight years, Marciniak has served as a steady advocate for employee well-being, ensuring every workplace incident is properly documented and addressed through the Workers’ Compensation process. Her diligence and advocacy have strengthened Campus Enterprises’ culture of care and accountability.
The Campus Enterprises Safety Committee received the departmental award for its success in revitalizing a proactive, division-wide approach to safety across Dining, Student Centers and other operations.
Reestablished in FY 2024-2025 with a new charter and cross-unit representation, the committee meets monthly to share best practices, analyze incidents and promote continuous improvement. Topics have included workplace readiness, chemical and allergen safety, emergency preparedness and PPE compliance. The group’s “AllerStar” series, regular presentations from subject-matter experts and open-roundtable discussions have encouraged transparent communication and real-time problem solving.
Their collaborative efforts have already produced measurable outcomes: updated safety protocols, improved training programs, clearer signage and a reduction in reported incidents compared to the previous year.
“These awards honor not only individual dedication but also the power of teamwork,” Berlin said. “Campus Enterprises is modeling what it means to take shared responsibility for safety.”
Sponsored jointly by Eastman Chemical Company and NC State Environmental Health & Safety, the Campus Safety Awards recognize faculty and staff who demonstrate leadership, innovation and excellence in advancing campus safety practices.