Michele Harris named a COVID-19 Hero by the School of Science
Harris, Chemistry's Human Resources Administrator, was nominated for this prize for “being the glue that holds our remote staff together”.
Michele Harris, the Department of Chemistry’s Human Resources Administrator, has been named the recipient of a COVID-19 Hero Award. Monetary prizes were awarded to these heroes, who were nominated by their peers, in recognition of their extraordinary efforts to make the transition during COVID-19 easier for their colleagues and work groups at MIT.
“When crisis hits, it is easy to panic. A more difficult option is to see what and who needs assistance, and providing that extra helping hand. In the School of Science, many staff members have donned capes that many do not even realize they have put on. But their peers have noticed,” says Assistant Dean Heather Williams. “These heroes’ extraordinary efforts have helped make the transition during COVID-19 easier for their colleagues and work groups at MIT.”
Harris, who has been a member of the department since 2011, was nominated for this award by Tyler Brezler, Michelle Contos, Shannon Wagner, and Department Head Troy Van Voorhis for “[being] the glue that holds our remote staff together”. Her tireless efforts on behalf of the Department of Chemistry are admirable under normal circumstances, but have escalated even beyond these already high standards in these months of uncertainty. The department is exceedingly grateful for all of her many contributions.
“Teamwork is essential for ensuring the school runs as smoothly as possible given the unusual circumstances and appreciate everyone’s efforts to keep things moving forward,” says Williams. “Despite physical distancing, it is amazing to see the MIT community uniting to support each other.”
