NCCC Success Story

Where is your hometown?
My hometown is Bronx, NYC.

What was your degree program and graduation date at RIT/NTID?
I started in the Lab Science Technology program but switched to a BS in Biomedical Science. I plan to graduate in Spring 2025.

What is your preferred language of use: ASL, Spoken English, Both, or another language?
I prefer to use both ASL and Spoken English.

What was your high school experience like? Were you mainstreamed, the only deaf person in the class, or were you enrolled with deaf classmates?
I was mainstreamed with interpreter support and note-takers. There were other deaf students in the program, so while I was mainstreamed, I did have deaf peers in the program.

What was your college search process like, and what reasons made you choose RIT/NTID?
I was looking for a strong foundation in research and accessibility. I also prefer cold states, so RIT/NTID was a perfect fit for me.

Did your identity as a deaf/hard-of-hearing person have an impact on your college choice?
Yes, my identity as a deaf person played a significant role in my college choice.

What makes RIT a good fit for you?
RIT provides everything I need to succeed. NTID has been very accommodating and encouraging. They offer research labs, and I feel much more confident in my abilities now.

Are there any unique benefits gained at RIT/NTID that you could not find elsewhere?
Yes, the MSSP (Mentor Supported Shadowing Program) for deaf and hard-of-hearing students is unique to RIT/NTID and the only one of its kind in the world.

What are your peers like at RIT/NTID? Do you have a mix of hearing and deaf friends?
I have a mix of both hearing and deaf friends.

Are you involved with any extracurricular activities on campus?
I was involved with the Deaf Volleyball Association before, which was a lot of fun.

What is your career goal?
My career goal is to become a doctor, specializing in family medicine and infectious diseases.

How has your experience at RIT/NTID prepared you for your career?
My experiences at RIT/NTID have given me the confidence and the resources I need to pursue my career goals.

If possible, what one word would you use to describe RIT/NTID?
Chaotic.

If applicable, what was your co-op employer's name and location?
My co-op employer was North Carolina State in Raleigh, where I worked with two program coordinators.

If applicable, what was your position at your co-op and what were the role’s responsibilities?
I was a research assistant working in a bench lab, handling actual lab equipment and procedures.

If applicable, how did your co-op relate to your studies at RIT/NTID?
Interestingly, the biotech class I took at RIT/NTID applied directly to every aspect of the co-op experience. I even revisited some old class notes to help with the work.