DDI Good News | May 2023
We have a new member joining our DDI family beginning May 15th. The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program welcomes its new Assistant Director, Alexis Byers. Byers holds a PhD in Mathematics from Western Michigan University and a B.S. in Mathematics from Wittenberg University. Most recently Byers was an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Youngstown State University and the principal investigator and director of People Reaching Intuition in Mathematics for Empowerment (PRIME), a program for high school students in Youngstown, Ohio. Byers has served as a research advisor/mentor for both undergraduate and graduate students and brings a wealth of experience to the position. DDI is happy you’re here!
A major “thank you” from all of us within the Division of Diversity and Inclusion to Belinda Bryce, program director, HEOP. She is retiring from RIT effective June 30th. Since 1989, Bryce has worked in student support programs in Student Affairs and Diversity and Inclusion and has taught courses as an adjunct in the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Art and Design. She has been a passionate advocate for the learning and achievements of many RIT students. We’re all sending our best wishes for a wonderful life ahead in retirement!
Kendall Scott, director, Native American Future Stewards Program, attended the 2023 Reservation Economic Summit (RES) last month in Las Vegas. RES is one of the largest gatherings of Tribal leaders, presented by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED). Scott received excellent feedback on his presentation entitled “Building Stronger Tribal Communities Through STEM” before Tribal Leaders throughout the Nation, Canada, Central and South America, New Zealand, and Australia. Scott gave a lot of examples of the innovative work Future Steward Program students are working on and says, “For me, the best part was telling the Tribal leaders what RIT students are capable of.”