Shirley M. Malcom Prize for Excellence in Mentoring

To:  Caltech Community
From:  David Tirrell, Provost, Michelle Effros, Vice Provost for Education

We are pleased to solicit nominations for the Shirley M. Malcom Prize for Excellence in Mentoring.  Established in 2021, the Malcom Prize is named for senior trustee Shirley Malcom, whose long-standing commitment to personal mentorship, national leadership, and international advocacy seeking to make STEM education accessible and equitable for all, serves as an inspiration at Caltech and beyond.  The prize honors annually a professor who, through mentoring, supports the achievement and well-being of students.  The prize is the Institute's highest honor for professorial mentors.

Nominations for the Malcom Prize from faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and alumni are welcome.  Guidelines for the prize follow.  Please submit detailed nomination packages to the Provost's Office by December 19, 2022.    

CRITERIA FOR THE PRIZE:
The Shirley M. Malcom Prize for Excellence in Mentoring is to be awarded annually to a professor who, through mentoring, supports the achievement and well-being of students. Criteria include, but are not limited to, effective mentoring practices such as offering regular feedback, guidance, and advice; providing access to academic and professional information, resources, and opportunities; and helping to ensure a safe, encouraging, and inclusive environment.

ORIGIN OF THE PRIZE:
Established in 2021, the annual prize honors Shirley Malcom's leadership and generosity of spirit and celebrates, at the highest level, the importance of mentoring.   

TERMS OF THE PRIZE:
The prize consists of a cash award of $5,000.

ELIGIBILITY:
All active professors of the Institute are eligible.  

NOMINATIONS FOR THE PRIZE:
Nominations are due by December 19, 2022.  Nominations for the Malcom Prize may be made by any member of the Caltech community, including faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and alumni. Nomination packages should include a letter of nomination of no more than 750 words with up to five additional letters from students and colleagues, each of no more than 500 words. Supporting material, such as a curriculum vitae and materials that demonstrate the nominee's mentorship, can also be included. Nominations packages should be emailed to [email protected] .  

RENOMINATIONS:
Renominations should conform to the guidelines for nominations.  Nominees not selected in a given year will be considered part of the nomination pool for each of the following two years.  Consideration of a nominee after three years will require renomination.

SELECTION:
Selection of the recipient will be made by a committee appointed by the Provost. The committee chair and members will be rotated frequently in order to ensure broad representation across the Institute. The committee will consist of at least three faculty members, a vice provost, and one representative each from the undergraduate student body, the graduate student body, and the postdoctoral community. The assistant vice provost and director of the Student-Faculty Programs office will serve as an ex-officio member.

PRESENTATION OF THE PRIZE:
The Malcom Prize will be presented at a regular meeting of the Caltech faculty in the winter term.