Newsletter September 2018

RIT Upward Bound Classic concludes first year with residential program for teens, which helped bring a new perspective about college expectations and careers fields for the first thirteen students to ever attend this type of summer experience. RIT’s Upward Bound Classic, is a grant funded five-year, $1.28 million program dedicated to serving 60 students annually, through the Department of Education at two local high schools.

For many graduating high school seniors, the summer before starting college can be a time for last-minute fun and ‘sleeping in’ – but for many deaf and hard-of-hearing soon-to-be freshman at RIT/NTID, the last few weeks before the official beginning of classes are an opportunity to become familiar with college life. Two RIT/NTID programs are designed to introduce new surroundings and new ways of connecting, with a goal of improving students’ chances of success.

Ivanna Colon joined the Division of Diversity as the new Assistant Director for Upward Bound. Previously, Ivanna worked with SUNY Oneonta as the Access to College Excellence Counselor within the Office of Access and Opportunity Programs.

We would like to congratulate and recognize several DDI members for their continued successes.

Sixty-four incoming RIT freshmen participated in a unique pre-collegiate summer program sponsored by the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. The DDI Summer Experience provided a four-week sustained and immersive experience for diverse students entering RIT from various pathways, such as the Johnson-Destler Rochester City Scholars program and the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP).

On Monday, August 27, 2018, President Munson hosted a welcome dinner for the Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars (RCS) class of 2022 and their families. 

The program was established in 2010 by former President Bill Destler and his spouse, Dr. Rebecca Johnson. The Destler/Johnson RCS program provides students from the Rochester City School District and/or Greater Rochester Charter School system, who meet the academic requirements for admission an opportunity to receive full tuition scholarship to RIT. To date, 185 scholars have been awarded scholarships.

RIT seeks to enhance an environment where diverse people and their unique perspectives are at “key decision-making tables” at each academic college. The Multicultural Center for Academic Success (MCAS) Advocates program consists of students and dean appointed faculty/staff who work together to build AALANA communities within the college.  These MCAS advocates have learned from each other and planned dynamic and engaging programming for students and staff/faculty alike.