November 8, 2024

Celebrating Excellence: National and International Scholars Breakfast

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Breakfast with the Scholars 2024 event hosted by RIT Grad School, featuring a group of scholars and faculty

Breakfast with the Scholars 2024 event hosted by RIT Grad School, featuring a group of scholars and faculty.

On October 23rd, 2024, Dr. Slusarski, Dean and Associate Provost of the RIT Graduate School, hosted the annual National and International Scholars Breakfast. Students invited represent a distinguished group of scholars from prestigious programs, including the Fulbright Program, which fosters international educational exchange; the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science (GEM) Fellowship Program, which supports underrepresented students in STEM fields; Google PhD Fellowships, awarded to exceptional students conducting innovative research in computer science and related fields; the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), which recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines. At least one scholar has been awarded a NASA's Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) research grant, a program providing funding for innovative research that aligns with NASA’s scientific goals. These awards and grants reflect each scholar’s remarkable dedication and potential to contribute significantly to their fields. 

Among those in attendance were Doreen Edwards, Dean of the Kate Gleason College of Engineering; Andre Hudson, Dean of the College of Science; Matt Huenerfauth, Dean of the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences; and Provost Prabu David. The presence of faculty advisors, college deans, and the provost highlights the commitment of faculty, staff, and leadership at the university to foster a nurturing environment for RIT scholars to thrive and achieve excellence.

College of Science

Areej Arshad - Applied Statistics (MS) - Fulbright Scholar
Lazar Buntic - Astrophysical Sci & Tech (PhD) - NASA FINESST
Thresa Kelly - Astrophysical Sci & Tech (PhD) - NSF GRFP Recipient
Jitrapon Lertprasertpong - Astrophysical Sci & Tech (PhD) - Thai Gov Scholar
Zainab Mangi - Astrophysical Sci & Tech (PhD) - Fulbright Scholar
Felix Martinez - Astrophysical Sci & Tech (MS)- GEM Fellow
Liza Matrecito Salcedo - Astrophysical Sci & Tech (PhD)- GEM Fellow
Sophia Sosa Fiscella - Astrophysical Sci & Tech (PhD) - NSF GRFP Recipient
Olivia Young - Astrophysical Sci & Tech (PhD) - NSF GRFP Recipient

Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

Sebastian Bolatto - Game Design & Development (MS) - GEM Fellow
Uzair Shahed Islam - Computer Science (MS) - Fulbright Scholar
Emily Kuang - Computing & Info Sci (PHD) - Google Fellow
Allahsera Auguste Tapo - Computing & Info Sci (PHD) - Google Fellow

Golisano Institute for Sustainability

Liron Gjocaj - Sustainable Systems (MS) - Fulbright Scholar

Kate Gleason College of Engineering

Luis Ramiro Aliendre Santivanez - Biomedical Engineering (MS) - Fulbright Scholar
Otto Giron - Elect & Computer Eng (PHD) - Fulbright Scholar
Bonface Ashiembi Odera - Engineering Management (MS) - Fulbright Scholar
Rodney Sanchez - Elect & Computer Eng (PHD) - GEM Fellow

Saunders College of Business

Kethyapheara Chan - Finance (MS) - Fulbright Scholar
Krittin Dejhomchuen - Business Analytics (MS) - Fulbright Scholar
Matilda Gjini - Hospitality Business Mgt (MS) - Fulbright Scholar
Phatsimo Olebile Koboto - Hospitality Business Mgt (MS) - Fulbright Scholar
Pechputhika Ros - Business Administration (MBA) - Fulbright Scholar
Khin Thet Zun - Business Administration (MBA) - Fulbright Scholar

     
Attendees in conversation at the "Breakfast with the Scholars" event. Two individuals are talking in the foreground, with others engaging in discussions in the background.     An attendee in a flannel shirt talking to the Provost. The Dean stands nearby, addressing the group in front of a projector screen displaying event information.     A lively discussion between 2 individuals.
     
An engaging one-on-one conversation between 2 peoplw, with a welcoming environment visible in the background. Two attendees examining name tags and event items on the table, with more participants in the background enjoying the event. A cheerful moment shared between attendees, both actively engaged in conversation at the "Breakfast with the Scholars" event.

  

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About the author

Christie Leone headshot
Assistant Dean RIT Graduate School

Christie is the Assistant Dean of the RIT Graduate School, a role she has held since May 2023. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, her expertise spans academic advising, career services, curriculum management, and program administration. Before becoming Assistant Dean, she served as Assistant Director for Combined Accelerated Programs, where she supported students transitioning from undergraduate to graduate study. Christie has been with RIT since 2015, starting as the Student Services Coordinator in the Mechanical Engineering department, and she holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Education.