AeroAstro Diversity Officer Denise Phillips has been honored with a 2025 MIT Excellence Award for “Embracing Diversity, Excellence, and Inclusion.”
Denise has been an integral part of the department since 2019, guiding the department’s commitment to supporting the mental and physical well-being of each member of the community. She co-leads the AeroAstro Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and administers the AeroAstro Diversity Scholars program, building a community within the department to fulfill that commitment.
Nominators praised her as “a trusted advisor, a compassionate listener, and an inspiring advocate for equity and justice.” In the AeroAstro department, one nominator said that “Denise has made a difference to the culture and tone of the Department…she has implemented innovative programs and workshops that address systemic inequities while creating pathways for greater inclusion.”
The MIT Excellence Awards acknowledge the extraordinary efforts made by members of the community toward fulfilling the goals, values, and mission of the Institute. Awardees will be recognized at a ceremony on June 5.
