At the suggestion of faculty in NTID’s Department of Science and Engineering Support (DSES), Michael Cross, Jr. BS ’96 merged his interests in math, art, and architecture and enrolled in RIT’s civil engineering technology bachelor’s degree major. After graduation, Michael planted roots in the Buffalo area and joined the New York State Department of Transportation. You may have driven all over his work as you headed down the reconstructed nine-mile section of New York State Route 394 near Jamestown. Or you may have benefited from driving over bridges that Michael was instrumental in getting repaired, in addition to other rehabilitation plans that made your commute easier. Michael manages section 5, in the greater Buffalo area handling many of the planning details leading up to road construction. Michael credits the camaraderie achieved within his study groups during his undergraduate years, collaborating with other deaf students, and the assistance received from DSES, as motivating factors for aligning himself with projects that help support efforts for our deaf/hard of hearing students.

What factors influenced your decision to attend RIT/NTID?
After taking architecture courses at a different university, my interest in architecture waned. I decided to take civil engineering technology at RIT/NTID, aligning my passion to work and contribute to the highway and transportation systems. Also, the availability of interpreters and note takers for the courses influenced my decision to pursue this program.

What about college were you least prepared for?
Confident in my post-college aspirations, or so I believed, I found myself unexpectedly pivoting. When entering college, I was uncertain of what I wanted to study (or so I thought). I took many liberal arts courses; eventually, I gravitated toward architecture classes. It wasn’t until my internship at Computational Initiative Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory, that I discovered my passion in computer-aided design (CAD), prompting me to change my major to an engineering program.

Who influenced you most during your time at RIT?
Easily – the Deaf student population and the related NTID/RIT support offered. The support epitomized my adaptability and evolution as a student and as a person.

What were your favorite classes and why?
Every communication class I took. Those classes offered a new lens through which to examine the filters we use, whether consciously or subconsciously, when we receive or deliver information.

What advice would you give current students?
It is important to stay updated with new or updated software programs relevant to the current market and familiarize yourself with their functionalities. If RIT offers training (or self-training), I highly recommend you take advantage of those learning opportunities. When you begin working, do not let fear stop you from asking questions; it can only help you.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your current field/role (work)?
I enjoy working with my team to create bridge repairs and rehabilitation plans.

Deaf Awareness Month is an important time to educate others about deaf/hard-of-hearing culture and community. What are some key aspects of deaf culture or hearing loss that you would like to highlight, especially as someone who works in an environment with mostly hearing co-workers?
I work with an all hearing team. I do not have the ability to use my voice or read lips. I ask my co-workers to communicate through email or paper. Recently, I was able to use a new app that can translate from voice into text on my smartphone. That app is not perfect, but it works well enough when communicating with one or few co-workers at the same time. I do teach some basic American Sign Language to my co-workers.