DDI Good News | September 2022
We want to extend a warm welcome to the following new members of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion and share some good news with you from our current team:
Robert Bonfiglio joined MCAS as the assistant director for Assessment and Academic Success. He started July 13th. He is an Oberlin College grad where he majored in Math and American Studies and earned his Master's in Education Policy from the Warner School at the University of Rochester. Bonfiglio has worked with diverse students at both the K-12 and undergraduate levels and is passionate about working with underrepresented students and special populations.
Alexandria Collins began her new role as assistant director for MCAS: Student Development on July 12th. Collins previously worked in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at RIT. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Education from Niagara University.
Victor Davidson assumed the position of director of Upward Bound July 25th. He comes to RIT from The Center for Youth where he was program manager for New Beginning School, which is an alternative school for young men in Rochester. Davidson graduated from State University of New York at Buffalo with a degree in Health and Human Services and he earned a Master of Science degree in Recreation and Sport Sciences and Master of Science in Athletic Administration from Ohio University.
Melodie Velazquez-Soto is the assistant director of Student Services & Community Initiatives in the MCAS center. She started her new job May 30th. She will work with David Benitez in the RCS program as well as handle other duties. Velazquez-Soto previously worked in the Office of Faculty Diversity and Recruitment.
Diversity Education is Growing!
RIT’s Diversity Education is expanding. For those who aren’t familiar, it now includes Taj Smith, Stella Lee and Stephanie Paredes. Stella serves as the assistant director of Diversity Education with a focus on educating and equipping all students with skills to operate in a diverse campus and workforce environment. She is eager to offer these experiences at student organization meetings and/or residence halls. Together with Smith, they will also work more closely with specific colleges or departments to reach students.
Paredes has a new title this academic year. It is assistant director of Community and Belonging. She will continue much of her same job responsibilities around planning and executing signature events like heritage months, Let Freedom Ring and Expressions of King’s Legacy. She will be charged with ensuring more of our ALANA students and all their intersectionalities find a place to call home and learn how to be in community with others. This includes more frequent student engagement with the city of Rochester. And speaking of new titles, you can also add “award-winning director” for Paredes. She served as director for “Water by the Spoonful”. The play, produced by SUNY Brockport’s Department of Theatre and Music Studies in collaboration with the Rochester Latino Theatre Company, received a Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Award this past May. Brava!
DDI’s Diversity Education is planning a lot of exciting things. Be on the lookout for a campus-wide invitation to help plan a couple of events for Let Freedom Ring as we expand how we honor Dr. King’s legacy through interactive and small group programming.
Tina Chapman DaCosta, director of Diversity Theater, was invited in August to speak at Lawrence Technological University in Detroit at a Course-based Research Experience (CRE) Retreat. She presented a session called “Brick by Brick Community building Film and Workshop” and also participated in an “Inclusive Excellence Seminar” speaking on DEI Theater: Perspectives from different continents. This month Chapman DaCosta is presenting Diversity Theater’s film Brick by Brick at the Fringe Festival, September 16th-18th at The Little Theater as part of RIT’s offerings.
Keith Jenkins, vice president and associate provost for diversity and inclusion, is one of 27 nominees for the first annual Colors of Success DEI Award given by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. It recognizes individuals who have “demonstrated exemplary leadership in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion” in the Rochester community.” RIT alum Dr. Deanna Kimbrel, chief diversity officer/director for the County of Monroe, is also a nominee as well as Stephanie Paredes. The award ceremony is Friday, September 16th at the Hyatt Regency Rochester's Grand Ballroom.
We also want to take a moment to say goodbye and thank you as two valued members of the DDI family enter a new phase in their professional careers.
Elizabeth A. Bremer who has been at RIT for close to a decade with her most recent role as director of Assessment and Research Management within DDI. Liz has accepted the position of director of Student Affairs at the University of Rochester, School of Nursing.
Erica Scorpio spent nearly eight years with RIT/NTID with her most recent position as ALANA Staff Retention Specialist. Scorpio is joined Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York as director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.