From: Student Life Date: January 31 Subject: MIT Sloan Student Life Newsletter January 31, 2024
January 31, 2024
Dean David Schmittlein to step down
Yesterday, we learned that Dean David Schmittlein has decided to step down from his role as John C Head III Dean of Sloan to attend to a personal health concern. Effective Monday, February 5, Associate Dean and Professor Georgia Perakis will become interim dean. Please find the full message here. We know this news came as a shock to many Sloanies. We will truly miss Dean Dave, and are immensely grateful for all he’s done for the MIT Sloan community.
Black History Month
February is black history month, a time to celebrate and honor the history and contributions of black communities and individuals from the past and present. Throughout February, the Student Life Office is highlighting events, resources, and other opportunities to learn more about black history within the MIT community, and greater Boston area.
MIT’s 50th annual MLK celebration: Join MIT in celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, from February 5 – 17, 2024 with a series of activities highlighting this year’s theme: “We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character; that is the goal of true education.” – Martin Luther King Jr., “The Purpose of Education”. You can also learn more about the history of MIT's MLK Celebrations here.
MIT Black History Project: The MIT Black History Project began in 1995 with the goal of documenting the role of Black life at MIT since the Institute’s founding in 1861. Follow them on Instagram @mitblackhistory.
Embracing the Promise of a Rising Cambridge and Boston
Wednesday, February 7th
5:30pm-7:45pm The Foundry, Cambridge
Join us for food, refreshments, and an engaging and insightful evening as we delve into the rich history and future prospects of Boston and Cambridge as beacons of education, business, innovation, and civic engagement. This event is part of the MIT MLK Celebration.
Learnings Presented by MIT Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Session 1: Israeli-Palestinian Peace Processes: Shared History and Contrasting Narratives
Thursday, February 8 @ 4:00-5:30 PM
Session 2: The Future for Israelis and Palestinians: What is Possible, What is Likely, and How the Current Conflict Affects What’s Next
Tuesday, February 20 @ 12:00-1:30 PM
Israel, Palestine, Gaza Talks Presented by Peter Krause
Peter Krause, MIT PhD ’11, is an Associate Professor of political science at Boston College and a Research Affiliate with the MIT Security Studies Program will be giving two talks to the MIT Sloan Community:
Session 1: Israel, Palestine, Gaza before and after October 7: Understanding historical context and contrasting narratives. February 2nd, 12pm-3pm.
Session 2: The Current Conflict in Gaza and the Future of Israeli-Palestinian Relations. February 16th or February 23rd, 12pm-3pm.
Lunch Chats with Nia Wednesday, February 7th 12pm-1pm
Student Life Office Suite (E52-101)
Do you have questions about Student Life at Sloan? Sign up for a lunch chat with Student Life Director, Nia DeYounge! Please only sign up for one lunch chat per semester
SLO Focus Groups
Join us for a focus group to help us better understand how MIT Sloan students experience our core principles of Caring, Contribution, and Community.
8th Annual ETA MIT Conference
Friday, February 16th 8am-5pm Samberg Conference Center
Get ready to dive into a day full of engaging presentations and interactive sessions covering a wide range of topics in ETA such as value creation with AI, ETA to reduce the racial wealth gap, and more. $65 for Students
MIT Sloan Asia Business Conference 2024
Saturday, February 24th 9am-6pm Building E14, 75 Amherst Street
Under the theme, Asia Unleashed: Shaping Business Beyond Boundaries, the 14th MIT Asia Business Conference brings you profound insights into trends of AI, Finance, Sustainability, DEI, and Entrepreneurship in Asia. $25 for MIT Students
Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference 2024
Friday, February 23rd
8am-5pm Building E14, 75 Amherst Street
This year’s SHBC is themed Breaking Barriers: Innovating for Healthcare Access. This year’s conference will feature four insightful panels, including topics like AI as a Catalyst for Care Delivery and Removing Financial Barriers to Care. $30 for MIT Students
MIT Sloan Fintech Conference
Friday, February 23rd 8am-6pm Samberg Conference Center
One of the landmark events at MIT Sloan, the conference brings together the world’s most prominent minds in fintech and 500+ innovators, investors, professionals, students, and professors. $45 for MIT Students
The MIT Sloan Product Conference
Friday, March 1st 8am-5pm Wong Auditorium
At this year's second annual product conference, cross- functional leaders will come together for engaging dialogue on the AI-powered products and the way AI is transforming product management roles. $45 for MIT Students
MIT Sloan Diversity & Innovation Grant Application
Diversity & Innovation Grants (DIG) provide financial support for initiatives that strengthen the guiding pillars of MIT's strategic plan: belonging, achievement, and composition. Grants up to $3,000.00 are available to MIT Sloan student organizations and groups. Grants up to $750.00 are available for students that are leading smaller initiatives, traveling to conferences, or working on a particular event. Student(s) can renew a grant once every academic year. Each application will be evaluated by members of the MIT Sloan community.
SERC 10K Prize Essay contest: Envisioning the Future of Computing
The Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC), a cross-cutting initiative within the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, in collaboration with the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, invites MIT students to envision the future of computing.
Tell them your ideas, aspirations, and vision for what you think the future holds. The winning entry of the Envisioning the Future of Computing Prize competition will be awarded a grand prize of $10K. In addition, they will recognize two runner ups with $5K each, and up to 12 honorable mentions with $1,000 each.
Submissions are due by midnight on February 4, 2024. Learn more here!
Last Chance to tell us what YOU love about Sloan!
Enter for a chance to win 2 tickets to see the Boston Celtics take on the Brooklyn Nets on Valentine's Day (Feb 14th).
We want to hear from you! The Student Life Office is celebrating the entire Sloan community and all the Sloanies who make MIT Sloan the amazing and caring place it is. Tell us what you love most about being a Sloanie and nominate someone (student, faculty, or staff) who makes Sloan a better place for a chance to win a pair of Celtics tickets for both you and the person you nominate on Valentine’s Day! Fill out this survey by February 1st to enter the contest. 8 entries will be selected and winners and the people they nominated will each receive a pair of tickets to see the Celtics on February 14th!
Student Life Newsletter Submission
All submissions should be directed to this survey which automatically submits your submission for review for the MFin, Student Life, SES, EMBA and SFMBA departments.
