Complementary Learning
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Complementary Learning
Breadcrumb
- RIT/
- Honors Program/
- Student Portal/
- Complementary Learning
Some kinds of learning are best accomplished outside the classroom, so an important part of the Honors Program is participation in activities that complement traditional academic work. Complementary learning activities typically involve service to the community, and participating in events that expose students to new cultures or challenge their ways of thinking about their relationship to the larger society.
Check out the Honors Handbook for information about what counts as complementary learning and how to report what you've done.
Please see below events and activities that are approved by the Honors Program office for Complementary Learning. This webpage is updated regularly to add new opportunities - but they are in no way the only activities you can take part in to earn complementary learning hours. Please refer to the Honors Program Handbook for other ways to earn hours and for a guide to submitting your hours.
07/15-19 i-can-bike Camp Volunteers Needed
Autstim Up hosts an Annual iCan Bike Camp. This year it will take place July 15 - 19, 2024 at the Golisano Training Center at Nazareth College. The week-long camp teaches individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other disabilities, to ride a conventional bike without training wheels. Specialized, adaptive cycling equipment is utilized by certified instructors and an army of volunteer spotters that build confidence, skill and ultimately, success.
With a nearly 100% success rate, the program changes the lives of children and teens by teaching them a skill that builds self-confidence, provides an inclusive recreation opportunity with peers, and encourages a lifetime of fun and exercise. Participants will need to bring their own bicycle to camp for adjustments and will ride off into the sunset on the last day!
09/24 Fram Signature Lecture
2024 FRAM SIGNATURE LECTURE with AI leader Kerrie Holley
Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Ingle Auditorium (SAU), reception following in Fireside
For more information and to register, click HERE.
Kerrie Holley is a visionary leader in the field of healthcare technology, with a proven track record of driving innovation and transformation at industry giants such as Google, Optum, Cisco, and IBM. Retired from industry, Google was his last executive role. Before his tenure at Google, Kerrie significantly contributed to Optum's technological advancement as the company's first Technology Fellow and Senior Vice President. Before Optum, Kerrie was a VP and CTO for Cisco's analytics and automation software portfolio. Then CEO Ginny Rometty appointed him to be the second black IBM Fellow, IBM’s highest honor for a scientist or engineer and he was the the first black Distinguished Engineer. His last role was in IBM Research, focusing on cognitive computing. Before joining IBM Research, he was the CTO for IBM’s Global Business Services for the Applications Innovation organization. IBM Watson achieved fame in 2011 when it competed on the popular quiz show Jeopardy! And defeated two human champions. Kerrie appeared on ABC News and in a TED talk describing Watson’s next job the next day. He is the author of three books, the most recent being LLMs and Generative AI in Healthcare, The Next Frontier (Holley & Mathur, Oct. 2024).
Kerrie graduated from DePaul University in Chicago with a degree in mathematics. Kerrie also holds a Juris Doctorate degree from DePaul University. In 2016, DePaul conferred a Doctor of Humane Letters. Kerrie holds over 30 patents. In 2023, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional distinctions.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer at the National Kidney Foundation
🌟 The National Kidney Foundation of Upstate and Western NY is on the lookout for passionate volunteers! Whether it's diving into administrative roles or capturing the heart of their events with photography - there's a spot for you! 📸
Connect with Kristen West Ryan for more information
- 📞 : 585.598.3963 x373
kristen.ryan@kidney.org
By volunteering, you’re not just helping out - you're championing the Kidney Foundation’s vital programs and showing immense love to our local Kidney Community.
🌐 Learn more: National Kidney Foundation
(Please note to submit hours to CLCE and select Honors as your associated club/org to receive comp learning!)
Volunteer with Shift2
🌟Shift2 is a non profit organization on a mission to maximize the usefulness of existing technology to make a positive impact on people’s lives. They are conveniently located on Jefferson road.
Volunteer Duties Include:
- Wiping hard drives
- Troubleshooting devices
- Installing Operating Systems
- Physically cleaning computers
- Dismantling and recycling parts
- Sorting RAMs for resell
- Matching Computer Monitors
Available Monday- Friday anytime from 9am-6pm
📧Contact Lisa M. Muhammad at lisa@shift2nfp.org for more information.
Volunteer at Deaf Refugee Advocacy
Seeking enthusiastic volunteers to further their mission. Presently, they have openings for the following positions:
- Teacher Resource Aide: Assisting in teaching ASL, English, and other subjects to our students.
- Special Projects: Involvement in various special initiatives.
- Transportation Provider: Offering support to clients requiring transportation to and from the office or specific locations.
Should you have any queries about volunteering, training, or require further information, please don't hesitate to contact them at
📧 (inquiry@deafrefugeeadvocacy.org) or via video phone 585-286-3440.
Volunteer with Tru-impact
Join TRU-Impact Inc. and Empower Rochester's Youth!
🌟 Passionate about making a difference? TRU-impact is looking for student volunteers to tutor and mentor local youth. Be a part of a dynamic team, helping children reach their full potential!
📚 Schedule: 1-2 times a week, 4:30-6 pm, Mon-Thurs.
Contact TRU-impact:
📩 Deanna Baddley:
deanna@truimpactroc.org
🌐 Learn more: TRU-impact
Volunteer with YWCA |
The YWCA is a powerful resource in our community, helping women and girls by empowering them to regain control of their lives and get on the path to a healthy, successful future. YWCA is seeking volunteers who want to make a difference.
For more information, please reach out to April Allen at allen@ywcarochester.org or sign up here
Volunteer at the Willow Center
Willow Center is the only New York State certified domestic violence service provider serving Monroe County. Our mission is to prevent domestic violence and ensure every survivor has access to the services and supports needed along the journey to a safe and empowered life.
If interested, reach out to volunteer@WillowCenterNY.org
Volunteer at the League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. Volunteers help set up registration tables and engage in activities like postcard writing and distributing non-partisan literature.
If interested in volunteering, please fill out this form.
Volunteer at the the Agape Haven
We are a growing grassroots organization meeting needs of the under-served population, especially women and girls. We empower our community using a holistic approach by providing access to educational resource, social emotional support and food security.
To volunteer, contact Julia Oakley at info@agapehavenofabundance.org or Sign up Here!
Testimonials
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“Throughout my experience with the American Cancer Society, I had the opportunity to learn about many different types of cancer, listen to the stories of many cancer survivors/fighters, educate others on cancer, and help bring awareness to the disease through a variety of activities. I had the opportunity to listen to many people's stories about how cancer affected them personally and relate to them and support them on an emotional level. I was able to help bring awareness to the disease by participating in many different fundraising events, and this opportunity helped me meet a new community of people who all shared the same interest. It taught me a lot about a relevant disease in our world currently and having the ability to come together with a group of people and participate in different events to raise awareness was very meaningful to me. I felt like this opportunity helped me feel welcomed in the RIT community, and I feel like I gained a lot from the social and intellectual aspects of my comp learning.”
-Mikayla Leibenguth CHST
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“It's really easy to get bogged down with the expectations you fail to meet for yourself. Then you start just focusing on all the things you can't do and you fail to realize all the things you can. This year's comp learning helped me to realize that there is nothing wrong with changing your goals and expectations if you need to because at the end of the day, any efforts are better than none.”
-Isaac Buswell COS
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“Complementary Learning helped me begin to find my place in the RIT and Rochester Area Community. As a first-year student, Complementary Learning helped me start exploring the Greater Rochester Area through the Into the ROC activities. I also learned more about the different organizations and opportunities on the RIT campus to help other students such as RIT Food Share. When I returned home on winter break, I was excited to get involved and connected with my community again through the FIRST Robotics Tournament”
-Rachael Tobey CET
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“Many of the hours I completed for complementary learning this year were focused on leadership for alpha Kappa Delta Phi and other organizations I am passionate about. This leadership position has taught me how to effectively voice my opinions and communicate effectively with other members of the organization, the International Leadership Board, and other organizations on campus. Additionally, it taught me how to organize weekly chapter/e-board meetings and lead workshops to fulfill our Risk Management requirement from International Leadership Board. This experience has given me the ability to separate my personal feelings in a professional environment, a skill necessary which was necessary for me to succeed in my internship/co-op that I took for summer 2022 and fall 2022.”
-Crystal Qu KGCOE
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"I've learned the importance of volunteers and those who donate their time, skills, and resources to the impoverished. Thanks to the help of volunteer lawyers, doctors, and even college students like me, we've helped keep these families afloat, whether it be through providing them with emergency food supplies, legal counsel they couldn't normally get, preventing shutoffs of their utilities, helping out with housing problems, and so much more. Even if it's just something little, the contributions of every volunteer matters."
-Albert Hynes GCCIS -
"I do not volunteer for the recognition. I volunteer because I care, I enjoy it and because I believe that it is a responsibility for all to partake in. A responsibility that entails giving back to others, giving back to those less fortunate, or to simply help others.”
-Zayneb Ghazle CHST