The MIT RISE (Recognizing Individuals Supporting Equity) Awards was formerly known as the MIT Multicultural Awards.
Co-sponsoring Organizations
- Division of Student Life
- Office of the Vice Chancellor
- Provost
Award Nominations
Nominate an outstanding undergraduate student, graduate student, student organizations, faculty advisor, or staff member for an MIT RISE Award! The award descriptions are listed below.
Award Categories
The MIT RISE Award Winners will be recognized at the banquet as well as the Institute Awards website. Visit the website to view past winners.
For undergraduate and graduate students
Emerging Leader Award: This award is in recognition of a freshman or sophomore and a first- or second-year graduate in our community who has shown a passion and affinity for diversity and inclusion work. The Emerging Leader Award recognizes a member who has already made significant contributions to the community and has demonstrated the potential for leadership and continuing service.
Mens et Manus Award: This award is in recognition of a senior and a graduating masters or doctoral candidate in our community who has shown a passion and affinity for diversity and inclusion work. To be nominated for this award, the student must have made a lasting impact on the MIT community. This student has gone above and beyond to bring awareness to issues of diversity and inclusion at MIT and has been active in the community to promote cultural awareness.
Unsung Hero Award: This award is presented to an undergraduate and graduate student of the MIT community who has demonstrated that leadership isn’t always defined by title and position. This is a member of the community who has shown commitment and passion for the community regardless of leadership position and shown a willingness to support efforts of diversity and inclusion. This is a student who is an asset to the community.
Dr. Robbin Chapman Excellence through Adversity Award: This award is presented to an undergraduate and graduate student leader who has shown that leadership is often defined by persistence in the face of adversity. This student has shown tenacity in the face of strife and has demonstrated resolve to persevere in carrying out the mission and values of diversity and inclusion in our community.
For student organizations
Engineering Community Award: This award is presented to an undergraduate or graduate student organization that has shown commitment to engineering community on campus. This organization deliberately seeks out partners for collaboration across campus organizations, ethnic groups, and affinity groups. This organization has shown that to engineer community, one must work together with partners whose mission is often different from their own and find common cause in benefiting the campus as a whole.
Excellence in Programming Award: This award is presented to an undergraduate or graduate student organization in recognition for raising the bar in student programing. This award is meant to highlight a particular program that exemplifies all that a student program can and should be. This program has elements of multiculturalism and encourages a safe space for students to explore, understand, and learn more about an aspect of diversity.
Organization of the Year: This award is presented to a student organization that has exemplified MIT’s high standards. This organization has shown a commitment to building community and improving the experience of MIT students. This organization has been active and intentional in promoting diversity and inclusion and has been proactive in seeking partnerships across MIT.
For faculty and staff
Staff Award for Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion: This award is given to a staff member who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to enrich the experience for students at MIT. This staff member has shown a passion and willingness to engage undergraduate and/or graduate students in activities, programs, or simply in dialogue about matters related to diversity and inclusion.
Faculty Ambassador Award: This award is presented to a faculty member who has shown a great commitment to enhancing the experience of undergraduate and/or graduate students at MIT that transcends the boundaries of the classroom. This faculty member has shown an enthusiasm both inside and outside of the classroom for multiculturalism and diversity.
Office Recognition Awards
Institute Community and Equity Award: The Institute Community and Equity Award is given to a group that has advanced equity and inclusion broadly across the MIT community.
Office of Graduate Education Service Award: This award is in recognition of graduate students who collaborate with the Office of Graduate Education Diversity Initiatives to broaden participation of underrepresented minorities and underserved students interested in pursuing masters and doctoral degrees at MIT.
Office of Minority Education – Peer Award: The Distinguished Peer Award is given to current MIT undergraduates who have been selected by their peers for their achievements in the following six categories: entrepreneurship; public service; MIT spirit; performing arts/athletic achievement; global initiative and/or experience; and prestigious fellows.
Office of Multicultural Programs – Community Excellence Award: The Community Excellence Award is presented to a faculty/staff and student member of the MIT community who has shown a sustained commitment to the mission of the Office of Multicultural Programs through service. The work they do transcends their campus organizations, offices and affinity groups; it impacts the entire community and advances equity and inclusion at MIT.
Past Graduate Award Winners
- Emerging Leader Award
- 2020: Bianca Lepe, PhD student in Biological Engineering (course 20)
- 2019: Aiyah Josiah-Faeduwor, MCP student in Urban Studies and Planning (Course 11)
- 2018: Maia Woluchem, MCP student in Urban Studies and Planning (Course 11)
- 2017: Tse Yang Lim, PhD student in Management (Course 15)
- Mens et Manus Award
- 2020: Josué J. López, PhD student in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Course 6)
- 2019: Supratim Das, PhD student in Chemical Engineering (Course 10)
- 2018: Ty Austin, SM ’18 in Architecture (Course 4)
- 2017: Sahar Dar, MBA ’17 in Management (Course 15)
- 2017: Kevin Richardson, PhD ’17 in Linguistics and Philosophy (Course 24)
- Unsung Hero Award
- 2020: Pedro Reynolds-Cuéllar, PhD student in Media Arts and Sciences (Course MAS)
- 2019: Randi Williams, PhD student in Media Arts and Sciences (Course MAS)
- 2017: Josué J. López, PhD student in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Course 6)
- Dr. Robbin Chapman Excellence through Adversity Award
- 2020: Francesca Vaccaro, PhD student in Chemistry (Course 5)
- 2019: Ifueko Igbinedion, PhD student in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Course 6)
- 2018: Akshata Krishnamurthy, PhD student in Aeronautics and Astronautics (Course 16)
- 2017: Teshai Ariane Grell, PhD ’18 in Chemistry (Course 5)
- Engineering Community Award
- 2020: Class Awareness Support and Equality (C.A.S.E)
- 2019: Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA)
- 2014: Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA)
- Excellence in Programming Award
- 2020: African Students Association – Culture Night, 2019
- 2019: Sloan Africa Business Club
- Organization of the Year Award
- 2020: Black Women’s Alliance
- 2019: MIT Colombian Association
- Staff Award for Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion
- 2020: Beatriz Cantada, Institute Community and Equity Office
- 2018: Jinping Guan, Postdoctoral Researcher
- 2017: Gloria Anglon, Office of Graduate Education
- 2015: Monica Orta, Assistant Director for Diversity and Inclusion, Media Lab (former OGE Assistant Director of Diversity Initiatives and MSRP)
- Office of Graduate Education Award
- 2020: Darien Williams, PhD student in Urban Studies and Planning (Course 11)
- 2019: AeroAfro
- 2018: Graduate Diversity Ambassadors
- Office of Multicultural Programs Community Excellence Award
- 2016: Mareena Robinson Snowden, PhD ’17 in Nuclear Science and Engineering (Course 22)
