Twyla Cummings wins diversity award

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Twyla J. Cummings

Twyla J. Cummings, senior associate dean of the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology, is the 2014 Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Faculty Pluralism Award winner. The award is given to an RIT faculty member or staff member who has made a significant contribution to diversity efforts on campus and within the Rochester community.

“I am humbled to be among the nominees and I am deeply honored to be recognized with this award,” said Cummings, who was recognized among all faculty and staff from the university who have led programs that serve under-represented groups on campus. Nominees also were acknowledged for their community service and volunteerism in the greater Rochester area.

A professor in the School of Media Sciences, Cummings is actively involved in the Rochester community serving as chair of the board of the Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation and co-chair for the YWCA Board Advisory Council. She previously served as board chair for the YWCA of Rochester and as a board member for the Rochester Women’s Network.

Cummings’ teaching and research at RIT is focused on the areas of media distribution, print industry trends and women in graphic communications. A frequent speaker on critical developments in post-press and issues impacting the graphic communication industry, she was last year inducted into the print industry’s Women of Distinction program, sponsored by the OutputLinks Communications Group, a global marketing and publishing firm.

She is a past board member of the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) and the board of governors for the R & E Council of NAPL. Cummings also is a current member of the prestigious Walter E. Soderstrom and Nonpareil Societies of NAPL and the R & E Council. She presently serves as a member of the America East Advisory Board and chairperson for the 2014 America East Conference.

In addition to earning a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in business and industrial management from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, Cummings earned her doctoral degree in management from Union Institute and University in Cincinnati.

The award, established in 2002, is named after Isaac L. Jordan, the first chairperson of the President’s Commission on Pluralism and Inclusion. Jordan was well known for his leadership and role in advancing pluralism among a wide range of campus constituents.