Steven Derocher, senior IT manager for the LGO and SDM programs, has received an Infinite Mile Award from the School of Engineering. This award, given annually, recognizes employees that have given exemplary contributions either within their department, or across the organization. Steven was nominated for an award in the category of “Institutional Cooperation” for his work as part of the team that migrated a number of departments’ graduate admissions to the Slate platform. He was also recognized for his work as a co-lead on the School of Engineering Staff Advice and Implementation Committee (SAIC) Social Events and Wellness committee (SoWell).
Steven has been at MIT and working for the Leaders for Global Operations and System Design and Management programs since 2010. Several years ago, he led the transition to the Slate software platform for both programs’ admissions. Since then, he has remained the programs’ point person for technical management of Slate and has continued to learn and build his skillset through attending their national conferences. When other departments at MIT began to migrate their graduate admissions processes to Slate, Steven played a vital role in supporting the transition for staff and faculty across the school.
Joan Rubin, executive director of System Design and Management program, said, “Steven enthusiastically offered to share his knowledge and help the evaluation and eventual transition for the School of Engineering admissions. He is a department cheerleader, enthusiastic supporter of the work-life balance efforts and a positive influence in SDM.”
In addition to his work on Slate, Steven has served as co-chair of the SAIC Social and Wellness committee (SoWell). He led several initiatives for staff appreciation and cohesion, including an ongoing staff appreciation events series and a social events and wellness activities grant program.
Steven says, “It is a tremendous honor to receive this award, and I owe so much of it to the fantastic teams that I am privileged to work with every day. No one does what they do alone, and they support me and each other in everything we accomplish. Between SoWell, SAIC, and the Dean’s Office, the Slate team and OGE, and, of course, my home teams in LGO and SDM. The real honor here is working with such intelligent, brave, curious, and creative people, and I need to thank every one of them.”
The Infinite Mile Awards, launched in 2001, support MIT’s objectives for excellence. The School of Engineering awards recognize and reward members of the school’s administrative, support, sponsored research, and, when appropriate, academic staff. The awards were presented by Dean Anantha P. Chandrakasan at a ceremony on June 25, 2024.
