Faculty member Crista Cuccaro accepts HUB Award for Excellence on behalf of School of Government
School of Government faculty member Crista Cuccaro accepted the Public Sector Agency 2026 Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Award for Excellence on behalf of the School of Government at the North Carolina Department of Administration’s 45th Annual State Construction Conference in March 2026.
Each year, the HUB Office publicly recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations that have actively promoted and supported HUB construction firms within a variety of public sector settings. The awards are designed to recognize leaders and supporters of small construction firms across the state while also recognizing partnerships and best practices within the construction community.
Awards were distributed during lunch at the State Construction Conference, held at the McKimmon Conference and Training Center at North Carolina State University. Cuccaro, who co-led sessions at the conference, was presented the School’s award for outstanding support by Alicia Lyon, director/assistant to the Secretary for HUB Outreach, and John Guenther, assistant director for the HUB Office.
At the School of Government, Cuccaro serves as the lead faculty member for Minority Participation Programs and Public Contracting, a course created by former School of Government faculty member Connor Crews in partnership with the North Carolina Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) Coordinators’ Network. As an instructor, Cuccaro teaches about federal and state laws that encourage participation in public contracts by HUBs, MWBEs, and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs). The course qualifies as a core course for the Certified Economic Inclusion Officer (CEIO) Certification program, offered by the North Carolina MWBE Coordinators’ Network.
Cuccaro said of the acknowledgment, “It is incredibly meaningful to support local governments in creating opportunities for HUB vendors and small businesses to thrive within their communities. The creativity and commitment demonstrated by procurement and economic development professionals across North Carolina are inspiring. I am honored to play a role in helping public agencies navigate compliance and strengthen best practices so they can expand opportunities for diverse businesses.”
Cuccaro joined the School of Government's law and finance division in June 2022. She teaches, writes, and advises on procurement, contracting, property disposal, and ethics and conflicts of interest related to contracting.
Pictured left to right: Associate Dean for Strategic Communications and Partnerships Sonja Matanovic, Director/Assistant to the Secretary for HUB Outreach Alicia Lyon, Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government Crista Cuccaro, and Assistant Director for the HUB Office John Guenther.
Published June 5, 2026