DDI Good News | October 2022
A very warm welcome to Kendall Scott (Kickapoo, Meskwaki) who officially joined the Native American Future Stewards Program as director effective September 26th. Scott is a graduate of Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma and earned a bachelor’s of science in criminal justice and a bachelor’s of art in American Indian studies. After graduation, he worked at Bacone as the Student Activities Coordinator, Housing Director, and Senior Director of Student Support and Services. Scott is from the Bear clan and his traditional name is Na-Sa-Ko-Ska-Ka which means a bear that pushes on a tree. We are happy he is here!
Robert Bonfiglio, assistant director for Assessment and Academic Success, MCAS was invited to take part in Kevin Kumashiro's 12th International Conference on Education and Justice, a virtual event. Bonfiglio co-presented with Tatiana Colon, former “VISTA” at RYY. Their topic: “Open the School Doors: Community Afternoon Activities as a Policy Model” focused on their previous work with diversity, equity and inclusion in secondary education.
Congratulations to Donathan Brown, assistant provost & assistant vice president, Office of Faculty Diversity and Recruitment. He is featured in the new book, “We’re Not OK-Black Faculty Experiences and Higher Education Strategies” published in May by Cambridge University Press. You’ll find Brown’s comments in chapter 13, titled “Programs with Promise.” He shares information on the Future Faculty Career Exploration Program and the unique initiatives used by the Office of Faculty Diversity and Recruitment to engage and recruit diverse professoriate.
Tina Chapman DaCosta, director of Diversity Theater, presented the award-winning film BRICK BY BRICK at the Fringe Festival with RIT at the Little Theater last month. She wrote, directed, and produced the film in partnership with RIT’s School of Film and Animation, along with producer Micky Levy and co-producer Marina Viscun, is used in a variety of settings to promote discussion on diversity and inclusion.
Kate Torrey, senior director CSTEP, McNair Scholars, and LSAMP, Phillippa Thiuri, assistant vice president for Academic Access and Success, and Makini Beck, SOIS/Sociology Department, traveled to San Diego, California last month to present at the 41st annual conference of the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). The three discussed the DDI in Dubai model as a study abroad program designed for McNair Scholars (and other diverse students) and shared how it can be replicated by other campuses.
Sandra Whitmore, senior director of operations, served on the conference planning committee for the 2022 NY State SHRM Conference, “Putting the Pieces Together” that was held at Turning Stone Resort September 11-13, 2022. Over 450 human resource professionals attended from across New York State to learn from outstanding speakers, connect with each other, and gain SHRM/SPHR re-certification credits.
Farewell and thank you:
Aaron Pagan, marketing communications specialist with RIT/NTID Office of Diversity and Inclusion accepted a new position as a senior manager of marketing and communications at a New York City based organization. His last day was September 16th. Pagan was also a valued partner with DDI’s Marcom Team.
Stephanie Paredes, assistant director, Community & Belonging leaves RIT after 13 years and is continuing her career journey. Paredes’ work with the MOSAIC Center, WOCHA-Women of Color, Honor and Ambition, cultural programs and signature events like Expressions of King’s Legacy and Let Freedom Ring made her a familiar face on campus. Her last day was September 26th.