Alma Jam, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer for MAS at the Media Lab, was one of the Infinite Mile Award winners for 2025  from the School of Architecture and Planning.   

The SA+P Infinite Mile Award recognizes staff whose outstanding contributions advance—directly or indirectly—the School’s core aim of producing innovative research, scholarship, and teaching that tackle humanity’s toughest problems.  Jam's award reflects the depth and breadth of her contributions across student support, staff culture, leadership advising, and institutional advocacy, demonstrating her extraordinary dedication to the values of community, inclusion and service.

Jam earned her B.A., M.A., and Ed.D from Idaho State University, where served as a TRIO Advisor for the McNair Scholars Program and the Program Manager for the Diversity Resource Center.  After completing her doctorate, she was hired at MIT and served for three years as the Assistant Director of Intercultural Engagement in the Division of Student Life, where she advised 70+ cultural and identity-based student organizations, as well as organized leadership conferences and training sessions to promote social justice programming. 

Jam joined the School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) in the spring of 2023 and currently serves as the Diversity, Equity & Belonging Officer (DEIB) in the Program in Media Arts and Sciences (MAS) at the Media Lab.  In this role, she develops programming and supports initiatives that build connection and community throughout the Lab to enhance the wellbeing and communication for students and faculty.  She will also engage with student organizations, student affinity groups, other student leadership as well as alumni, and will create new opportunities for students to provide feedback to Lab leadership.  In addition, she works closely with the MAS team to manage and expand student recruitment, enrollment, and retention strategies.