Newsletter December 2018

We want to congratulate several Division of Diversity and Inclusion team members for their recognition and dedication to making a difference in our community.

Belinda Bryce, Director of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), served on the panel “Building Campus and Community Partnerships” at the HEOP Professional Organization’s Administrators training workshop held in Albany, NY from November 7-8, 2018.

For Emil Anderson, a Vietnam veteran, going to college or having an opportunity to fulfill his passion of serving others through a professional career wasn’t even fathomable. Until this summer, when Anderson heard about the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program at RIT. After attending an information session on campus, Anderson was excited to embark into a new world of educational opportunities.

It is no secret STEM fields and many licensed professions lack representation of underrepresented populations. There are many contributing factors and it is important to help support our students through these career trajectories. Lack of awareness, access to research opportunities, mentoring or financial resources can at times inhibit the growth of underrepresented or economically disadvantaged students to develop into research scholars in theSTEM fields. 

Looking back for a moment. . . I am thankful to have taken part in the Playback Theatre workshop sessions. I was alongside such amazing people. We, as a group were willing to share, engage in dialog, support each other, and look deeply within at how difficult experiences strengthen us and provide opportunities to grow. What a great component of the Community Strand of the 5-year Inclusive Excellence initiative.