The NC State Department of Computer Science (CS) is pleased to announce that Veronica Cateté, assistant professor and Madison Thomas, Ph.D. student, have been selected as the recipients of the Spring 2026 Carla Savage Awards. 

Each semester, the NC State CS community votes to recognize outstanding members of the department, from Ph.D. students and staff members to assistant, associate, full and teaching professors.

Veronica Cateté

Cateté joined the department in April 2018 as a Research Scientist in the Center for Educational Informatics. Her research focuses on K-12 computer science education, as well as the intersection of computer science frontiers and the learning sciences. Cateté works to expand participation in computing by empowering teachers and students to learn about computer science concepts – specifically, how educational technologies, game-based learning and curriculum design can help support broader access to computing education. She has received grants and funding from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of State and Pivotal Ventures. 

Beyond her research, Cateté is recognized for her exceptional mentorship. In just her fourth year as a CS faculty member, she has graduated five Ph.D. students and mentored over 80 students, helping to establish NC State as a global leader in CS education research. Within her research lab, CEREAL, Cateté cultivates a collaborative culture, creating an environment where students feel personally valued in addition to their academic success.

Students have described Cateté as “understanding, smart, funny and kind”, and they feel there is a healthy work-life balance and positive energy within the research lab. Her leadership and dedication continues to strengthen both the department and the field of computing education, supporting the future of CS students for years to come.

“Receiving the Carla Savage Award means a great deal to me, not just personally, but as a reflection of the lab environment we’ve built together,” said Cateté. “My students have nominated me for this award every year, and I think that says something about the culture we’ve worked hard to create in the CEREAL lab. We study computing education across the full lifespan, K-12, and we approach that work with genuine care for our participants and care for one another. Grad school doesn’t have to be a painful process, and I’ve tried to model that by prioritizing well-being, honest feedback and curated mentorship alongside rigorous research.”

Madison Thomas

Thomas is a fourth-year computer science Ph.D. student. She began her doctoral studies in Fall 2022 and joined the CEREAL Lab in 2023, where she works under Cateté. Thomas’ research focuses on cybersecurity education for students aged 6-16. She studies how educational technologies, instructional strategies and curriculum design can strengthen students’ understanding of computing and cybersecurity concepts.

Thomas’ broader research interests center on improving computer science education at both the secondary and undergraduate levels. In addition to her work in cybersecurity education, she works to support undergraduate computer science education and tutoring.

Thomas also leads curriculum development for the SECURE IT project, where she creates and pilots cybersecurity learning activities for middle-grade students from historically marginalized backgrounds. Much of her research emphasizes expanding access to computer science education for marginalized communities, with the goal of building a more inclusive and encouraging pathway for students to enter into the field.

During her time at NC State, Thomas has mentored 19 undergraduate students, including 12 who have participated directly in research. She currently serves as a teaching assistant for both CS Senior Design and CSC 298: Introduction to Computer Science Research Methods. In these roles, Thomas provides detailed feedback to students while maintaining a steady and dependable presence in the classroom.

Colleagues and students describe Thomas as approachable and collaborative. She is known for taking the time to review drafts, discuss ideas and help clarify research concepts for others. This willingness to support those around her helps to create a research environment where students feel more comfortable engaging with new ideas and participating in the research process.

“It is an honor to receive this award, and I’m incredibly grateful to Dr. Veronica Cateté and Dr. Isabella White for their support of my work,” said Thomas. “My research focuses on improving undergraduate cybersecurity education, particularly by understanding why students enroll in cybersecurity programs and why some choose to leave them. The ultimate goal is to help computer science educational programs improve retention and better prepare students for careers in the cybersecurity workforce.”

Cateté and Thomas serve as incredible representatives of NC State CS – supporting computer science education and creating an environment where students of all ages and backgrounds can thrive. Congratulations to both of our Spring 2026 Carla Savage Award Winners!

This post was originally published in Computer Science.