Mikaela Shiffrin, one of the most decorated alpine skiers in history, has added another significant honor to her remarkable career. The 30-year-old Colorado native recently received an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College, an Ivy League institution in New Hampshire.
Shiffrin’s journey has been marked by outstanding achievements and resilience. With 101 World Cup wins and two Olympic gold medals, she has established herself as a leading figure in alpine skiing. Despite facing challenges, including a severe giant slalom crash last November, she has shown unwavering determination.
The honorary degree was presented to Shiffrin during Dartmouth’s June 15 ceremony. This recognition is deeply meaningful for her, as her late father, Dr. Jeff Shiffrin, was an alumnus of the college. He worked as an anesthesiologist and cared for many snow sports athletes before his unexpected passing in 2020.
On Instagram, Mikaela shared her emotions about the honor: “Hey Dad… I received an honorary degree from Dartmouth today. Who’d have ever thought we’d have two Dr. Shiffrins in the fam? (One went through 12+ years of school, one skis down a mountain). Felt a bit closer to you in the past 24 hrs — for the first time in a really long time — and I’m so grateful for that. Happy Father’s Day. I miss you, always.”
Dartmouth President Sian Beilock praised Shiffrin for her influence beyond sports, saying the degree was awarded “for building a legacy beyond the slopes, teaching us how to go beyond our comfort zone and reminding us that it is not how we fall, but how we get up. Dartmouth is proud to award you the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.”
Shiffrin was one of seven inspiring individuals to receive honorary degrees this year, marking a major milestone in her career and one of her most meaningful recognitions to date.