When you ask Nichole McCorkle what the best part of her job at the University of Geogia College of Public Health is, there’s no hesitation when she answers, “my students.”

McCorkle serves as the graduate program administrator and administrative associate in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics. From recruitment to graduation, McCorkle walks alongside master’s and doctoral students, tracking their academic progress, facilitating course registration, helping with paperwork and more.

Nichole McCorkle, 2026 Ed Wilker Memorial Egalitarian Award recipient.

“Counselor, bonus mom, you name it, I do it,” said McCorkle. “I don’t think there’s any greater joy in watching a student from beginning to end, watching them grow, watching them come into their own, watching them learn who they are.”

This bonus mom’s dedication to her students is evident in her students’ reciprocated respect. In fact, it was her students who nominated McCorkle for the 2026 Ed Wilker Memorial Egalitarian Award presented by the Black Faculty and Staff Organization. This award recognizes staff members who demonstrate occupational excellence consistently.

“This is a well-deserved recognition,” said Ye Shen, Epidemiology & Biostatistics department head and Ernest Corn Professor. “Nichole is undoubtedly one of the most popular colleagues among our students, and it’s clear they genuinely enjoy every opportunity to connect with her.”

McCorkle, who left a career as a certified pharmacy technician five years ago to work for the college, credits her dedication to students to a strong family legacy. Her mother, Charlesetta McCorkle, was a passionate educator for 37 years and passed away shortly after McCorkle won this award. Nichole has now dedicated her award to her mother’s memory.

“To share this with her before she passed was an honor because she said, ‘You’re following in my footsteps.’ And it didn’t dawn on me until recently that I am—with loving my students and taking care of them like I do,” said McCorkle.

2026 Ed Wilker Memorial Egalitarian Award

As another commencement season begins, McCorkle will celebrate the latest group of graduates moving from under her guidance into the next chapter of their lives while also preparing more students to enter the departments’ programs. Regardless of where they are in the process, McCorkle’s message to these future public health leaders remains the same.

“I want them to be reminded that they are amazing. That they are intelligent. They deserve everything that they’re going to get for themselves, and they should never think less than of themselves,” said McCorkle

By Mackenzie Patterson