W.M. KECK MENTORSHIP AWARD WINNERS 2023
The Office of Academic Affairs has established three mentorship awards through support from the W.M. Keck Foundation. These mentorship Awards have been established to recognize extraordinary mentorship activities that go above and beyond regular advising, for example by developing new mentoring initiatives, assisting those that face significant challenges or are vulnerable, or creating new pathways for growth and empowerment. The recipients receive a monetary award of $1,500 for mentoring or advising activities.
Mentoring Undergraduate Students
Annette Pilkington
As the Director of the Women In Science, Engineering and Math (WISEM) program at Mines since 2017, Annette Pilkington has made many positive contributions to campus mentoring initiatives. This award specifically recognizes her role mentoring female undergraduates in two programs she created in 2018-19: the Vanguard Community of Scholars and the Mentoring program of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Both have grown from their initial cohorts into initiatives that now include hundreds of participants benefiting from expanded opportunities in personal, professional, and academic development. Both programs also have multiple positive impacts on- and off-campus, as the more senior participants help to mentor new members while also leading STEM outreach efforts in the community. Annette’s role balances large-scale program leadership with in-depth guidance and inspiration for individual participants in a unique and effective manner.
Mentoring Graduate Students
Dr. Alexandra Newman
During two decades at Mines, Dr. Alexandra Newman has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to mentoring graduate students, both as a professor and in her leadership of the Operations Research with Engineering (ORwE) PhD program. In addition to helping Mines attain international recognition for contributions to the fields of operations research and management science, Alexandra has personally advised and graduated 40 students from the ORwE program at Mines over the past 10 years. The sheer number of graduate students she advises, the attention she provides to each student, the quality and quantity of their research publications, and the diversity of identities and backgrounds represented in her research team are exceptional. The strong foundation that Alexandra builds with her graduate students is demonstrated not only by their success at Mines but also by their continued recognition in a wide variety of leadership positions and awards in the next phases of their careers – from industry to military to academic roles.
Mentoring Faculty/Staff
Dr. M. Stephen Enders
Dr. M. Stephen Enders joined the Mines faculty in 2017 after a long career in industry. While serving as the Department Head of two different departments, Steve has mentored numerous faculty members directly and directly. His extensive experience in executive leadership and his advocacy for effective mentoring strategies that often go beyond academic norms has greatly benefited fellow campus faculty leaders—who in turn mentor others. Many faculty note that Steve’s perspectives and guidance have positively changed their own actions and outcomes, even (or especially) after long careers in academia. These changes have a ripple effect on entire research teams, faculty cohorts, and students. Steve’s mentees and peers also acknowledge and appreciate his clarity of thought, willingness to listen, humility, and humor. In sharing his unique prior experience and insights through his significant leadership roles at Mines, Steve has had an outsize impact on mentoring current and future faculty leaders on campus.
