Tiger's Tale

RIT researchers earn $1 million Civic Innovation Challenge grant to empower Deaf community

Rochester Institute of Technology and National Technical Institute for the Deaf researchers have identified a critical gap between emergency services and the needs of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Now with a $1 million grant, they are working to bridge that divide. RIT was one of 19 teams to earn a $1 million award through the National Science Foundation Civic Innovation Challenge. The challenge brings together academic and civic partners to address the needs of different communities.

Learn more about the NSF Civic Innovation Challenge

Why I Give: Krystle Jones-Ellis BS '09, MS '15

“During my time at RIT, there weren't many black women students,” said Krystle Jones-Ellis BS '09, MS '15. “As an alum, I wanted to ensure that I provided resources for those students to have what they needed to succeed. I also met my husband at RIT. He benefitted so much being a part of the NTID community that it was important for me to give back in support of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, too.”

Learn more about why Krystle gives back to RIT

RIT Canstruction 2023 Campaign

Join in on the RIT Canstruction 2023 Campaign and help them hit their goal of raising $7,000 before December 1, 2023.

Each year, RIT students from several colleges and departments participate in this annual international competition where they apply design and engineering thinking and techniques to design and build a giant structure of food for charity. All funds are used for canned food and building material purchases.

Support Canstruction Today

New Alumni
Career Opportunities

Ziegler CAT, Shakopee MN

Application Engineer OEM
Career Connect #124362

Apply to Ziegler CAT

Peraton, Springfield VA

Image Scientist
Career Connect Job #116256

Apply to Peraton

More Alumni
News and Events

MBA & Graduate Chat: Ask Me Anything

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Saunders College of Business

Sustainable Architecture Challenge

Friday, November 10, 2023
Golisano Institute of Sustainability

Class Notes

Christianna Rose BFA '11 and Paolo Varrenti celebrated the birth of their first child and future RIT Tiger, Sebastian Cosmo Varrenti, on April 17, 2023.

Read more

Jay Levine BS '76 has recently taken on the role of volunteer chairperson for the PGA golf tournament formally known as The Honda Classic.

Read more >

Julie (Zepke) Krug BFA '09 and Ken Krug BS '10 welcomed a baby boy, Shelby Paul Krug, born in January 2023.

Read more >

Update Your Contact Information

Your relationship with RIT doesn't end when you cross the stage. Update your information at https://www.rit.edu/alumni/update and join the thousands of other proud alumni who volunteer, attend alumni events, take advantage of alumni benefits, and continue to support the areas of RIT that mean the most to them. By completing the form, you will ensure that you receive invitations to alumni events in your region as well at the RIT University Magazine throughout the year.

Questions? Contact the Office of Alumni Relations

ritalum@rit.edu or 585-475-4485