Celebration of Excellence
Celebration of Excellence
For 17 years the Caltech Center for Inclusion & Diversity (CCID) has been honoring members of our community who exemplify leadership and excellence in advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) on campus and in the greater community. During this past year's Celebration of Excellence, we celebrated 15 years of the formation of the CCID with a Quinceanera themed celebration. We continue to be grateful for our members of the campus community who work to advance IDEA initiatives at Caltech and beyond.
Our 2024 Award categories are as follows:
- The IDEA Allyship & Advocate Award: This award is given to an individual who promotes the needs and experiences of all members of the Caltech community and challenges systemic barriers that impede members of marginalized identities from contributing their skills and talents at Caltech. Such actions include raising awareness, inspiring action, cultivating an inclusive environment, advocating for an equitable campus climate, and leading efforts to dismantle structural barriers that uphold oppression and discrimination.
- The IDEA Outreach and Education Award: This award is given to individuals who teach and inspire interest in inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in the community at large through learning experiences and service. This person takes the initiative to participate in civic engagement through volunteerism, service-learning, and teaching initiatives as a change agent in the community outside of Caltech.
- The Candace Rypisi Outstanding Mentor Award: This award is given to individuals who are willing to share knowledge and enhance their mentee's professional and personal development. This person has provided emotional and moral support and encouragement while improving or helping facilitate access to career-related information and exposure to various professional resources. This awardee is someone who actively promotes their mentee's sense of competence, confidence, and belonging.
- The CCID Agent of Change Award: This award is given to individuals embodying servant leadership through a demonstrated commitment to steering institutional change within the Caltech community. This person takes the initiative and has the vision to translate a need into actionable steps or policy to create a legacy and a more inclusive campus climate.
- The CCID Activist Scholar Award: This award is given to individuals who demonstrated excellence within their discipline and research while engaging in complex social justice issues. This awardee has led or participated in advocacy campaigns centering on the experiences of minoritized identities and provided vision and leadership in forming affinity spaces and targeted support programs.
- NEW AWARD- The Houses and Residences IDEA Award: The Houses and Residences IDEA Award celebrates exceptional individuals who excel in fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment within the Houses and Residences. Their unwavering commitment ensures that each resident feels a deep sense of belonging and support. These leaders drive positive transformation by nurturing inclusive dialogues and instilling a strong sense of community through their advocacy. Through their efforts, they create an environment where everyone can flourish in Houses and Residences.
- NEW AWARD- The Inclusive Laboratory Engagement Award: The Inclusive Laboratory Engagement Award celebrates exceptional individuals who excel in their discipline and in fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment within the graduate student and/or post-doc community, particularly in the laboratory setting. They strive to ensure that each person feels a deep sense of belonging and support. These leaders foster an environment for collaborative research and learning. Through their efforts, they create an environment where everyone can thrive in their academic and research pursuits.
*The Agent of Change and Activist Scholar Awards were introduced in 2021. Dr. William "Bil" Clemons Jr., and Sarah Sam were the inaugural recipients for their dedication and leadership in moving the campus community forward in becoming a more inclusion and equitable environment.*
2024 Honorees
The IDEA Allyship & Advocacy Award: Melinda Chan & Marva Tariq
The IDEA Outreach and Education Award: Joy Shi
The CCID Agent of Change Award: Dilichi Nwankwo & LEAP Project
The CCID Activist Scholar Award: Natasha Reich
The Candace Rypisi Outstanding Mentor Award: Ellen Rothenberg
The Houses and Residences IDEA Award (4 Awards): Emily Choe, Cami Scantlin, Lauren Pryor, and Suchitra Dara
Past Recipients
2023 Honorees
The IDEA Ally Award: Melissa Li
The IDEA Advocate Award: Claire Ralph
The IDEA Outreach and Education Award: David Cagan
The CCID Agent of Change Award: Maria Manzanares
The CCID Activist Scholar Award: Arianne Hunter
The Candace Rypisi Outstanding Mentor Award: Alexander Viloria Winnett
The Outstanding Mentee Award: Jenni Ji
2022 Honorees
The IDEA Ally Award: Rebeccah Warmack & Shreya Anand
The IDEA Advocate Award: Lily Dove & Adam Wierman
The IDEA Outreach and Education Award: Shelley Diamond
The CCID Agent of Change Award: Melany Hunt
The CCID Activist Scholar Award: Levi Palmer & Jennifer Yu
The Candace Rypisi Outstanding Mentor Award: Claire Saunders
The Outstanding Mentee Award: Anastasiya Grebin
Dr. Fred Shair Award for Programming Diversity
2021: Maura Dykstra, Peter Collopy
2020: Dawna Bagherian, Elena Mantovan
2019: Sofie Leon, Melissa Gutierrez
2018: Douglas Rees, William Schmidt, Jr.
2017: Bil Clemons, Trixia Buscagan
2016: Beverly McKeon, Emily Blythe
2015: Liz Jackman, Grace Leishman
2014: Victoria Orphan, Samantha "Pixie" Piszkeiwicz
2013: Michele Judd, Brice Nzeukou
2012: Raul Navarro, Anastasios Dimitriadis
2011: Joseph Shepherd, Teresa Juarez
2010: Shelly Diamond
2009: Neka Williams, David Doll, Greg Fletcher
2008: Ana Salazar, James Endrizzi
Dr. James King Jr. Award for Student Diversity
2021: Renee Wang, Abigail Jiang
2020: Dessie DiMino, Niv Karthikeyan
2019: Melany Hunt, Stephanie Threatt, Sophus Shackford
2018: Sarah Reisman, Sarah Sam
2017: Jennifer Weaver, Nikita Sirohi
2016: Harry Atwater, Stephanie Huard
2015: Portia B. Harris, Matt Gethers
2014: Larissa Charnsangavej, Wilton Mui, Marcella Gomez
2013: Karly Brockett, Chinenye Indigo
2012: Mary Neary Morley, Justin Liu
2011: Megan Dobero, Barbara Green
2010: Raul Gutierrez, Brandon Comella
2009: Donatela Bellone, Amy Trangsrud
2008: Aric Fitz-Coy, Geoffrey Lovely
WMW Candace Rypisi Outstanding Mentor / Helen McBride Outstanding Mentee
2021: Ella Watkins-Dulaney
2018: Leah Sabbeth / Stephanie Kwan
2017: Ivanna Escala / Mohar Chatterjee
2016: Katharine Saad / Alicia Lanz
2015: Moureen Kemei / Leah Dodson
2014: Suzanne Kern / Xi Xi
2013: Jill Craven / Sunita Darbe
COMPASS Outstanding Mentor Award/ Mentee Award
2021: John Bostick/Alexia Kim, Athena Kolli