DDI Good News | October 2024
DDI is happy to welcome two new colleagues! Marykatherine Woodson is the new director of the Multicultural Center for Academic Success (MCAS). She started in this role September 30th. Her face is a familiar one! She has worked at RIT for eight years, first as assistant director and most recently as associate director, Center for Residence Life. Woodson actually got her start in student affairs while she was in college! She is very active in promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives university wide. She is the recipient of RIT’s 2023 Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Staff Pluralism Award, given to those who work to build an inclusive community. Be sure to say hello to Jess Austin who joined the Division September 9th as the new assistant program director of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). Austin has a master’s degree in English from SUNY Brockport and worked as an ELA teacher at Greece Odyssey while also coaching cross country and track and field. Most recently she has worked on supporting client wellness at a Yoga studio. Welcome aboard!
Robert Bonfiglio, interim associate director Rochester City Scholars, is taking part in the United Way’s Pride Leadership Development Program. It provides participants with a variety of workshops and mentoring opportunities with the goal of placing more LGBTQ+ individuals on boards, committees, community projects, and in policy-making positions. Bonfiglio is also working with Katie McConky, professor, Kate Gleason College of Engineering, and others, to support RIT student volunteerism in middle schools within the Rochester City School District.
Sandra Whitmore, executive director for Marketing and Operations, served on the conference planning committee for the 2024 SHRM NY State Conference, “The Art of HR” that was held in Albany in September. Over 650 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 was special as Sandra led the development and implementation of two new awards for the state: HR Professional of the Year and Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Congratulations to Sady Alvarado-Fischer, the newly appointed RIT Minett Professor. She delivered the keynote address at the 2024 Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Colors of Success Leadership Award ceremony in September. Read more about our new Minett professor in this month’s newsletter.
Goodbye and thank you for the work you’ve done! Sending our good wishes to Alexis Byers, assistant director of the McNair Scholars and Melodie Velazquez-Soto, assistant director for Rochester City Scholars. Both have made significant contributions to the Division of Diversity and Inclusion and the students at RIT.