For the positive influence she’s had on the careers of her advancement colleagues, CALS’ Catherine J. Maxwell was recently recognized as Mentor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s District III.

Catherine has served since 2005 as an executive director of development with the CALS’ advancement office. She is also the director of development for the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service.

Eight of her colleagues at NC State nominated her for the award. Chris Cammarene-Wessel was among them, praising the support and guidance that Maxwell has provided throughout the years.

“Cat has maintained supportive, mentoring relationships with everyone who joins the team at every level. Her own direct reports thrive under her management, which is an inclusive and consensus-building style,” Cammarene-Wessel said. “Her supervisor and the college’s top administration know they can rely on Cat’s professionalism, dogged perseverance, sound advice and motivated work ethic in every situation.”

The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education is an international professional association serving educational institutions and the advancement professionals who work on their behalf in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas. District III covers the southeastern United States.