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2024

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Prize Winners

Thomas W. Schmitt Prize

Kim Mawhinney

Associate registrar in the Registrar's Office, Kim Mawhinney, received this year's Thomas W. Schmitt Annual Staff Prize, named for former associate vice president for human resources Tom Schmitt and endowed by trustee Ted Jenkins (BS ‘65). The Schmitt Prize recognizes staff members whose contributions "embody the values and spirit that enable the Institute to achieve excellence in research and education."

Said one nominator of Mawhinney: "Kim is a huge asset to Caltech—one of those core people you can count on knowing the answers, responding quickly and accurately, and always being helpful with follow up. My colleagues and I have really relied on Kim's professionalism and institutional knowledge over the years."

Team Impact Award

International Student Programs

One nominator wrote of ISP: "Without the help of Laura Flower Kim [associate director, international student programs], I would have not been able to start and finish my PhD at Caltech. I was stranded in my home country awaiting my visa approval when the term had already started, and Laura moved mountains and helped me navigate every tricky situation there was so I could work full time on my degree and graduate in five years with two first author publications. Without ISP and Laura and Daniel [Yoder, international student advisor], Caltech would not have international students that contribute tremendously to the sciences."

Office of Student Experience

Among its many programs that support Caltech students, OSE was honored for the Caltech Summer Ambassador (CSA) program. Together with the Student-Faculty Programs Office, OSE selects, trains, and supports 27 student leaders who welcome non-Caltech students (approximately 350) to the Caltech community and ensure that they have received both support and social engagement during their time on campus.

ASCIT Staff Prize

Tashiana Bryant-Myrick

Tashiana Bryant-Myrick's, director of the Caltech Center for Inclusion and Diversity, nominator noted: "She brings a warm and friendly personality to administration by being so down to earth that it feels like you can talk to her about anything. Not only that, but she's gone repeatedly above and beyond for the students she encounters even off the clock."

Jeni Campbell

A nominator said of Jeni Campbell, options manager in the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering: "Jeni does an amazing job of helping students solve any and every problem they have concerning course requirements and conflicts, forms that need to be signed, room reservations for hosting office hours, and so much more."

Oswaldo Penzaloza

Oswaldo Penaloza, sous chef with the Meal Plan Program, "is always willing to help (especially if something went wrong with a special meal). He always has a positive attitude and is joking around in a fun way, which definitely brings a smile to your face, and because he really cares about us students."

Honorees