This year, computer science professor Miryung Kim was awarded the Robert M. Stevenson Faculty-in-Residence (FIR) Award, created by UCLA Residential Life in order to recognize current FIRs who provide outstanding contributions to the residence hall communities. The award – named after Robert “Doc” Stevenson, a professor who’s been with the FIR program for over thirty years – takes into consideration nominations from residents, student leaders and staff, and professional staff members of UCLA Residential Life, and selects nominated professors based on a number of criteria, including encouragement of community involvement, effectiveness of programs put on for the residential community, and more. Although Kim has only been an FIR for two years, this award marks the second year in a row Kim has been recognized for her outstanding service to the residential community.
“Last year I received Faculty of The Year Award for my faculty in residence role, so it’s great to be recognized for my dedication and service two years in a row,” Kim said. “This recognition is beyond being recognized as a brilliant researcher or hard working teacher, as students appreciated my personal dedication to their growth.”
Kim has held a multitude of programs to help give back to the student community, including Thanksgiving dinners for students who were unable to travel home for Thanksgiving, de-stress cookie decorating events, picnics with her family and graduate students, Dinner for Eight Strangers, and more. Kim, alongside Dr. Mike Hill and Dr. Keith Camacho, also held an advising session for students called “Tips and Treats with FIRs”, which helped teach students how to write personal statements, get letters of recommendation, start with undergraduate research, and seek out internships.
Kim is excited to be continuing with the FIR program, and while the 2017-2018 academic year has come to a close, Kim is already planning events for the coming academic year. In addition to her existing programs and events, Kim also hopes to shift her focus towards creating a program about gender equality and imposter syndrome. “Many capable young women often struggle with self doubt as a minority in their fields,” Kim explained. “I’m currently talking with Resident Director Monica Shanna to co-design a Fiat Lux seminar [to address this issue of] imposter syndrome.”
Read more about Professor Kim and her efforts to give back to the student community here.