Mourning the loss of NTID faculty Melissa Skyer

Members of the RIT/NTID community mourn the passing of Melissa Skyer, an RIT alumna and senior lecturer in NTID’s Department of Science and Mathematics. Melissa’s mother, Sally, an RIT/NTID retiree, informed us that Melissa passed away peacefully March 9, 2022.

Melissa earned a BS in biology in 2004 and an MS in environmental science in 2006, both from RIT and both with highest honors. Following graduation, she briefly served as a math and science tutor for deaf and hard-of-hearing students at William Harper Rainey College in Palatine, Illinois, before beginning her career as an environmental scientist. She was a staff environmental scientist and ecologist at Burns and McDonnell Engineering in Downers Grove, Illinois, and then moved to Los Angeles, where she worked as a senior environmental scientist and technical advisor for Southern California Gas.

In 2014, Melissa joined the NTID faculty, serving as a tutor in biology and environmental science for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in RIT's College of Science.  She also taught science courses.

In sharing this sad news with the NTID Department of Science and Mathematics, chair Matthew Lynn said this:

“Melissa's legacy will continue in so many ways, especially through the fascinating and highly creative online environmental science course she designed a couple of years ago. In fact, we are currently offering this full-semester course this spring for the benefit of our fully online students so that they can complete a science general education requirement. Each course video showcases Melissa teaching about a different aspect of environmental and earth science. She was passionate about designing and creating this online learning opportunity for our students, and her pride in the outcome of this curriculum product was clearly evident. The development of this online course required a significant amount of effort, and what Melissa produced, in terms of recorded lectures in spoken English and in American Sign Language, is a stellar example of how to deliver an online curriculum in an exceptionally accessible fashion to a wide audience of students."

Service to RIT/NTID and to the community was also an important aspect of Melissa’s work. She supported efforts by the NTID Center on Employment by leading workshops to help other scientists understand best practices for working with our deaf and hard-of-hearing students during their required cooperative work experiences. Melissa also undertook Project Lead the Way efforts at Gananda High School, where she delivered presentations in the area of biomedical science and specifically on various issues related to deafness. She was an active supporter of NTID Outreach activities, including health science careers and agriculture camps for deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students in California. Locally, Melissa joined the non-profit Genesee River Watch in 2019 as a member of the Board of Directors, where she participated on the technical and educational sub-committees of this group. Each of these activities not only highlighted her scientific leadership in the community, but also helped others to see how deaf and hard-of-hearing scientists can make important and lasting professional contributions. These efforts have helped to ensure the mentorship of the next generation of deaf and hard-of-hearing scientists and the allyship of their hearing colleagues.

The loss of a member of our campus community has a profound effect on all of us. Please take an extra moment to check in with one another to offer support and care.

The Counseling and Psychological Services staff, chaplains in Spirituality and Religious Life, and NTID counselors/academic advisors are available for students who are in need of support or wish to share their feelings of loss.

• Schedule an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services by sending a secure message on the RIT Wellness Portal or contacting the office at 585-475-2261. To connect with mental health support services outside of business hours, students can call the 24-hour mental health line at 1-855-436-1245. Counselors fluent in ASL are available.
• You can reach Spirituality and Religious Life staff and chaplains at srl@rit.edu or via phone at 585-475-2137.
• NTID counselors/academic advisors provide personal, social, career and academic counseling services to all deaf and hard-of-hearing students at RIT. Connect with the NTID Counseling & Academic Advising Services if you are seeking support.

Faculty and staff may use resources of the EAP through Human Resources. Employees may contact the EAP as follows:

• Phone
  1-844-572-9730/V
  1-800-697-0353/TTY
• Online
  www.guidanceresources.com
  Web ID: RITEAP

Information about a service to celebrate Melissa's life will be forthcoming. We extend our deepest sympathy to Sally; Melissa’s brother, Michael, a senior lecturer in NTID’s MSSE program; and all of Melissa’s family, friends, students, and colleagues.

Gerry Buckley
NTID president, RIT vice president and dean