At one time, she captured photos of deli meats and cheeses that looked like smiley faces engraved in the foods. With a couple hundred images, she aspires to one day create a coffee-table picture book of the unique – and entertaining – photos, but calls it a longshot.

Storti brings the same enjoyment to her day job at Rochester Institute of Technology’s K-12 University Center that houses the apprenticeships and fellowships branch of the Army Educational Outreach Program.

Saying it’s “different every day,” the position allows her to be involved in meaningful work that ties her passions of education and outreach together, while supporting the program and its director, Donna Burnette.

“It’s everything from helping with projects, recruiting and being a source of information, while working to make the program sustainable,” Storti said. “I look at myself in a support role that fosters the growth of the program, and I think continuing to build relationships and bringing trust is the main goal.”

AEOP is a U.S. Army-funded initiative that offers high school through postdoctoral individuals with opportunities to be immersed in real-world STEM experiences alongside renowned scientists and engineers. One of the goals is to provide participants with the chance to be interactive in the work they love through innovation and research campaigns across the country, and connect civilians to members of the armed forces in projects that have the power to change the world.

Storti started in the position in the summer of 2022 after working in various other roles with the K-12 center.

“At one time I wanted to be a teacher, but found a way to still work with kids through outreach programs that was equally as important as being in the classroom, but provided a different kind of service,” she said.

Storti graduated from Brockport in 2012 with a degree in health sciences. While a student and postgraduate, she worked at Monroe Community College with programs similar to what the K-12 center offers – Liberty Partnerships Program, Science and Technology Entry Program and Upward Bound. There, she met Burnette who she said was integral in shaping her career. With several years of experience at MCC, coupled by three years in AmeriCorps, Storti landed a job at RIT in 2015 working as an outreach specialist and assistant director of STEP.

“What I like about outreach is the hands-on part of the job,” she said. “I liked being able to watch the students’ progress. At one time I started with seventh-graders and just watched them graduate.”

Now, more involved in the administrative side of the business, Storti still has the opportunity to work with AEOP outreach specialists Kierra McInnis and Miranda Salsbery who are also based at RIT’s K-12 center.

Outside of work, Storti said she enjoys cooking, and spending time with family and her dog, Louise. Her specialty meals include chicken French, and just about any other dish during the holidays.