3 staff members honored with RICE MILE Award

Rice staff members Susannah Mira, Jie Wu and Shirley Tapscott received the RICE MILE Award in April.

Susannah Mira

Created earlier this year to honor exceptional staff members, the award is given to those who exhibit eight core values that the RICE MILE comprises: responsibility, integrity, community, excellence, mission-driven, impact, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.

Mira, faculty data steward in the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, is described in a nomination letter for the award as “thoughtful, accurate and organized.”

“She works collaboratively, not only within our own team, but with cross-campus partners and vendors, solving data and systems puzzles, troubleshooting problems and working to improve technical tools and reports,” the letter said.

Jie Wu

Wu, director of research management at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, was praised because she “dramatically strengthened the Kinder Institute’s and the university’s relationships to Houston’s nonprofit community,” a nomination letter said.

“Jie brings her research and analytical skills to bear in our research where we work to raise awareness of urban issues, promote change to governmental policy to enhance urban systems and promote actions by local philanthropies and nonprofits,” the letter said.

Shirley Tapscott

Tapscott, Sociology’s department coordinator, is touted in a nomination letter as being “a fantastically hard-working, thoughtful and patient person.”

“Shirley loves Rice and is proud to work here, and this attitude comes through in all that she does,” the letter said. “She helps us all appreciate, without fail, why working here is a privilege because she embodies the values that define our stellar and unique community.”

All levels of staff are eligible for consideration for the RICE MILE Award and can be nominated by peers, colleagues, co-workers or supervisors as long as they have at least one year of service and are in good standing. Nominations must be submitted through the RICE MILE Award online nomination form and require approval from senior leadership in the nominee’s school or division.

For more information or to nominate a staff member for the award, visit http://people.rice.edu/careersrice/awards-and-recognition/the-rice-mile-award/.