The Infinite Mile Awards recognize those individuals or teams who have made extraordinary contributions within their own organizations to help the Institute carry out its mission.
Eligibility
Either the nominee or nominator (or both) must be located in the Office of the Vice President for Research or Office of the Provost. (For a detailed listing, see Recognition in Your DLCI, which lists DLCIs by administrative unit.) If the nominee is outside this unit, they must provide a service to your department, lab, or center.
An employee can be nominated as an individual or as part of a team. Permanent employees of the Institute are eligible:
- Support and service staff
- Administrative staff
- Postdocs
- Scientific research staff
- Senior research scientists/engineers
- Graduate or undergraduate students (only when nominated as part of a team which includes staff)
Visitors, temporary employees, subcontractors, consultants, individuals on voucher payroll, and professors are ineligible.
Attributes and accomplishments
Excellence takes many forms, but often, nominees exhibit the following characteristics.
Professionalism
Courtesy, respect and a positive outlook
Letter may describe:
- Subject matter expertise
- Quality of their work
- Professional demeanor (e.g., dignity, compassion)
- Demonstration of integrity
- How their professional development has benefited the department
Initiative
Taking initiative and driving innovation
Letter may describe:
- Breadth of their contributions
- Where they’ve been proactive
- How they manage unexpected changes in workload
Leadership
Effective collaboration with others
Letter may describe:
- Scope of the activities they direct
- Project management
- How they represent the unit to external groups
Serving the greater good
Making MIT a better place to work
Letter may describe:
- Commitment to their job and department
- Length of service and contributions to the department
- How they support teaching and research
Influence
Providing advice or serving as a role model
Letter may describe:
- Attitude toward others, e.g., students, staff, and faculty
- Where they have provided advice and guidance
- How they communicate information to the department or external groups
Inclusivity
Advancing equity, inclusion and belonging
Letter may describe:
- Cultivation of safe spaces to build trust within teams
- Promotion of open, authentic communication and transparency
- Implementation of projects that promote a diverse and inclusive workplace