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 serve as an inspiration at Caltech and beyond. The prize is the Institutes highest honor for professorial mentors, honoring annually a professor whose mentoring activities support the achievement and well-being of students and other mentees.
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 17, 2025.
CRITERIA FOR THE PRIZE:
The Shirley M. Malcom Prize for Excellence in Mentoring is to be awarded annually to a professor whose mentoring activities support the achievement and well-being of students and other mentees. Criteria include but are not limited to effective mentoring practices such as helping mentees identify their strengths, interests, and goals; offering regular guidance, advice, and feedback to foster learning, encourage professional development, and foster advancement towards academic and professional objectives; including mentees in professional activities and connecting them to contacts, communities, and opportunities; demonstrating by their own example academic values including integrity, professionalism, and respect.
ORIGIN OF THE PRIZE:
Established in 2021, the annual prize honors Shirley Malcom's leadership and generosity of spirit, celebrating 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:
NOMINATION GUIDELINES:
Nominations for the Malcom Prize are due by December 17, 2025. Nominations 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
- Up to five additional letters, each no more than 500 words, from students and colleagues
- A short (1-2 page) curriculum vitae demonstrating other aspects of the nominee's mentorship (optional)
Nomination packages should be emailed to [email protected]
If multiple nominations are received for a single candidate, nominators will be asked to combine their materials into a single nomination that meets the above criteria.
RE-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 re-nomination. Re-nominations should conform to the guidelines for nominations.
FORMER MALCOM MENTORING PRIZE RECIPIENTS:
https://provost.caltech.edu/programs-and-resources/malcom_prize_excellence_mentoring
FAQ:
https://provost.caltech.edu/org-programs/malcom_prize_excellence_mentoring/malcom-prize-guidelines