A Presidential Honor

UAlbany's M. Dolores Cimini, pictured with her seeing-eye dog Dora, received the highest national honor for excellence in STEM mentoring.

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 5, 2018) – M. Dolores Cimini, the University’s director of the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research, was recognized with a United States Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Cimini, a licensed psychologist, has been with the University for more than 28 years; she earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from UAlbany in 1986. In addition to overseeing the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research, Cimini is the director of the nationally recognized Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program, serves as the co-chair of the Tobacco-Free Campus Steering Committee, leads multiple research projects and mentors countless students and early career professionals at various stages of their education and careers.

PAESMEM is the highest honor granted to mentors who work to expand STEM talent, and recognizes the role that mentors play in the development of the future STEM workforce, according to the NSF.

"On behalf of the White House I am honored to express the nation’s gratitude for the tireless dedication that these men and women bring to educating the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians,” said Michael Kratsios, deputy assistant to the president for technology policy. “Each day more and more jobs require a strong foundation in STEM education, so the work that you do as teachers and mentors helps ensure that all students can have access to limitless opportunities and the brightest of futures."

Congratulations poured in on social media for Cimini. President Havidán Rodríguez (@HavidanUAlbany) Tweeted “#GreatnessLivesHere - @UAlbany. Congratulations to Dr. Dolores Cimini. We are very proud of you!”

“Congrats @CiminiDolores! A very well deserved honor — you continue to represent @UAlbany with great distinction & make us all proud to be #GreatDanes! – Michael Christakis (@MikeChristakis), vice president for Student Affairs.

“One of the many rockstars on the @ualbany team. Congratulations Dr. Cimini and thank you for all the work you do to take care of UAlbany students.” – Richard Becker (@RichBecker518), director of Corporate and Foundation Relations.

Cimini traveled to Washington with her seeing-eye dog, Dora, to accept the award at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on Tuesday, June 26.

In addition to her recognition for mentoring, Cimini will be awarded $10,000 which she will use to help provide access to STEM for underrepresented women students at UAlbany, particularly women with disabilities, through travel awards and scholarships.

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