Pre-Collegiate DDI Summer Experience | September 2018
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).
DDI Summer Experience students lived on campus, interacted with RIT faculty, staff and upper-class student leaders. Students completed two credit-bearing classes that provided them a jump start to their freshman year. Additionally, students had the opportunity to engage in cultural and co-educational activities. The combination of academic, cultural and community-building experiences allowed students to establish a strong community to each other, to the Division, to RIT and to Rochester.
In addition to classes and program activities, students also met with professional staff for one-on-one coaching. Through coaching students were introduced to other Division student success programs and departments, such as CSTEP, I’m First, Native American Future Stewards Program, McNair Scholars, LSAMP, MOCHA and WOCHA. Many of the students felt that “The DDI Summer Experience” was key to preparing them before they began their first semester as RIT students.
The Multicultural Center for Academic Success (MCAS) and the Higher Education Opportunity (HEOP) will continue to support DDI Summer Experience students as they transition to college this fall. Continued coaching and referrals to various resources on campus will help these students better meet college challenges and take advantage of the many transformational opportunities available at RIT.
University Communications, created a short video to showcase the talent and enthusiasm of the student who participated in the DDI Summer Experience program WATCH HERE.