DDI Good News | October 2023
We are very happy to welcome Gena Willis to the Division of Diversity and Inclusion effective October 2, 2023! She is the assistant director of Affinity Programs and Leadership with MCAS. Willis comes to RIT with almost 10 years of higher education experience at SUNY Brockport. She’s worked as a senior counselor for the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), as well as the career advisement coordinator in the School of Business and Management’s Center for Student Success, teaching courses there. Willis was also responsible for professional development programming for students and handled employer relations for the school. Willis is a founding member and served as chair of the Faculty and Staff of Color Affinity group, and as an advisor for the Chi Alpha Epsilon honor society, Delta Sigma Theta sorority, the Caribbean Student Association, Chess Club, and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Willis earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Brockport, a master’s degree in higher education from Stony Brook University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at SUNY Empire State University.
Good news coming from Kate Torrey, senior program director CSTEP McNair/LSAMP, Alexis Byers, assistant director McNair Scholars and Megan Kalloo assistant program director CSTEP. The CSTEP, LSAMP, and McNair Scholars Programs are all at near capacity. In addition, the Annual Report for CSTEP was successfully submitted to the New York State Department of Education last month and this fall the CSTEP, LSAMP, and McNair Scholars Programs is hosting eight “Do experiences” for RIT 365 to introduce first year students to undergraduate research. The “Do experiences” take place across campus and introduce students to the resources available at RIT. They’ll learn about undergraduate research opportunities, hear from an older student from CSTEP, LSAMP, or McNair who has completed a research experience, and take part in a brief research simulation.
Kendall Scott, director, Future Stewards Program says that RIT has once again been distinguished as one of the top 200 colleges for Indigenous students by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. (AISES). Scott says, “This accolade reaffirms our commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and the provision of an enriching educational environment for students from all walks of life.”
Sandra Whitmore, executive director for Marketing and Operations, served on the conference planning committee for the 2023 NY State SHRM Conference, “Be the Change” that was held at Turning Stone Resort September 10-12, 2023. Over 600 human resource professionals attended from across New York State to learn from outstanding speakers, connect with each other, and gain SHRM/HRCI re-certification credits. This year the keynote speaker was Brian Baumgartner, best known as “Kevin Malone” on NBC’s Emmy-winning series, The Office. (pictured with the conference planning team)