The resilience of MIT as an institution relies on a strong, thriving community—and Rachida Kernis really gets that. Rachida is an administrative assistant in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and we’re honoring her today for tirelessly working to create robust professional and personal support systems for MIT staff. Through her generous committee work, productive advocacy for DEI, and her extraordinary dedication to building a community of mentors, Rachida has transformed the MIT experience for EECS staff.
In the words of one of her colleagues: “Rachida’s work recognizing and supporting the current needs of MIT’s staff community, has — and will continue to have — incredibly valuable impacts on sustaining one of MIT’s most valuable resources: the staff members that keep the Institute running.” Another shared that they are “incredibly impressed by Rachida’s ability to see and express the big picture and offer concrete solutions. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.” Rachida, congratulations!