Events and Celebrations

• Freshman of the Year
• Undergraduate of the Year
• First Year Graduate Student of the Year
• Graduate Student of the Year

These awards recognize students who have made a significant contribution to the Office of Inclusive Excellence, Cornell Engineering and the lives of others by demonstrating initiative and positively contributing to the college’s climate toward inclusion.

This award is given in honor of Professor Ephrahim Garcia, who passed away in 2014 at an early age. Professor Garcia was a mentor and advisor to a great many students who often lined the hallway to meet with him for career advice, for navigating Cornell, or to discuss individual and group projects. He joined the Cornell Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering faculty in 2003 following stints as a professor at Vanderbilt University and as a Program Manager at DARPA. Professor Garcia was an extremely creative and bold thinker whose research and teaching touched topics as diverse as energy, aerodynamics, smart materials and autonomous robots.

The Ephrahim Garcia Graduate Student Excellence in Mentoring Award recognizes graduate students who have exhibited exceptional mentorship of undergraduates and/or new graduate students in their assistantships, fostered greater inclusion through mentoring, and demonstrated collaboration with others in research and/or other settings across the college.

This award is presented in memory of Robert Mozia, a Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering. He was extremely committed to inspiring the next generation of engineers. Robert dedicated a significant amount of energy to engaging in outreach activities and took pride in developing a close-knit community at Cornell.

The Robert Mozia Distinguished Service Award recognizes students who have used their education, skills and experience to make outstanding contributions in the Cornell community and beyond.

This award salutes student leaders who not only participate in events hosted by the Office of Inclusive Excellence but also have made significant contributions guiding a student organization to achieving its organizational goals and supporting its members’ needs.

The Excellence in Leadership Award  honors student leaders that work effectively with their colleagues, acknowledge the contributions of members, and encourage others to excel as leaders within their roles all while striving to improve the organization.

The Cornell University Engineering Mentorship Program (Cornell EMPower) Outstanding Peer Mentoring awards are presented to a mentoring pair who have made outstanding efforts to maximize their mentoring partnership.

Cornell EMPower Outstanding Peer Mentoring awardees have gone beyond regular participation in Cornell EMPower and by demonstrated a strong commitment to self-development and the group mentoring process.

• Zellman Warhaft Faculty  Partner of the Year
• Richard Allmendinger Staff  Partner of the Year

The Office of Inclusive Excellence Partner of the Year Awards acknowledge the leadership, commitment, and innovative efforts that contribute to advancing Cornell Engineering’s core value of Community. Recipients of this award have made significant strides in promoting an inclusive environment within Cornell Engineering, aligning with our vision of centering inclusion and excellence.

The Inclusive Peer Educator Awards recognize outstanding members of our educator community who serve as teaching assistants, Academic Excellence Workshop facilitators, and tutors. This award honors students who demonstrate exceptional dedication to inclusivity, long-term learning, and academic excellence in their teaching and learning practices. Recipients of this award exemplify inclusive and effective teaching practices that emphasize a culture of belonging and collaboration, contributing to a more equitable and enriching educational experience for all.