Mike Coniglione receives a 2026 Infinite Mile Award
Mike Coniglione, senior human resources representative in MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE), was recognized with a 2026 Infinite Mile Award for his exceptional service and dedication. Colleagues praise his ability to proactively address challenges and handle high-pressure situations with calm and confidence.
The award was presented at a June 15 ceremony at MIT’s Samberg Conference Center, where family and co-workers cheered on 16 Infinite Mile recipients and two winners of the Ellen J. Mandigo Award for Outstanding Service.
Catherine Kim, assistant dean for human resources and administration in the School of Engineering, presented the award to Coniglione, whose faculty affairs role at DMSE includes faculty search and recruitment, faculty promotions, and visiting student appointments.
“During an intense period last spring, he orchestrated three faculty searches simultaneously while managing two tenure promotion cases, a feat requiring what colleagues describe as logistical mastery over a million moving parts,” Kim said. She also highlighted his nominators’ descriptions of Coniglione’s efforts to strengthen departmental culture through reorganizing shared office spaces, revitalizing staff appreciation initiatives, and mentoring junior colleagues.
“Mike’s genuine warmth and highly approachable nature create an environment where colleagues feel supported and valued,” Kim said. During the ceremony, Coniglione’s colleagues showed their appreciation with signs reading “DMSE Runs on Mike,” a nod to his affinity for Dunkin’ Donuts, and “Mike Drop.”
The event opened with an address by Paula Hammond, who this year became Dean of the School of Engineering. She expressed her excitement about recognizing staff for exceptional performance after spending the past six months visiting departments, labs, and centers and meeting people in every corner of the school. Previously, Hammond was head of the Department of Chemical Engineering.
“Every breakthrough, every successful program, every thriving department or research group depends on talented and deeply dedicated staff working together across this institution,” Hammond said. “Staff help create the environment that enables our faculty, researchers, and students to do their very best work, and that work can ultimately have a far-reaching impact across the globe. Staff are essential to making that possible.”
Launched in 2001, the Infinite Mile Awards are presented across the Institute, with individual units distributing the awards separately. In the School of Engineering, the awards recognize administrative, academic, and research staff for contributions in the categories of excellence, diversity and community, and institutional cooperation. The Mandigo Awards honor the legacy of Ellen J. Mandigo, a longtime staff member at the school. Both awards recognize staff members nominated by their colleagues for their contributions to the MIT community.
Other winners of the Infinite Mile Awards included:
- Rachael Aitchison, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Peter Brenton, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering
- Melissa Bunker, MIT Institute for Medical Engineering and Science
- Alexandra Cabral, Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Aren Ghazarians, MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics
- Amanda Holley, Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Daria Levear, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Conor McArdle, School of Engineering’s Dean’s Office
- Katey Provost, School of Engineering’s Dean’s Office
- Ellen Reid, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Amanda Stack, Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Rachel Wright, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- LaShauna Walker, Faika Weche, and Jacqueline Zimoch, MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES)
The winners of the Mandigo Awards were:
- Brandy Baker, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering
- Sue Liang, School of Engineering’s Dean’s Office
Hammond, who handed certificates to award winners and posed for photos with them, referred to the colorful pom-poms audience members waved and honking noisemakers that followed every award announcement.
“I wish I had taken one of those pom-poms and noisemakers because I would’ve been making noise all the way through,” she said. “I hope you all feel just as inspired and uplifted as I do after listening to the many accolades that were shared today—all of the things that our staff members have done to make MIT what it is.”
