From the NTID President's Office - January 2023

Submitted by Rick Postl

NTID’s main application deadline was Jan. 15, which also is when we began to have a good sense for the attributes of the incoming class. Counselors have been able to visit double the number of schools, compared to the past two years, although we are not close to the average of 400+ annual school visits over the past decade. Fortunately, the number of prospects remain stable, and RIT’s appeal continues to be strong for the students and families we meet. Challenges remain in connecting with students and schools who are unfamiliar to us. To date, we have about the same number of accepted students as last year. Anything you can do to make prospective students feel welcomed is most helpful.

I am pleased to announce that Austin Gehret has been named the new chair of NTID’s Science and Mathematics Department, and Katie Schmitz is chair of NTID’s Department of Liberal Studies.

Congratulations to the following NTID faculty mini-grant recipients. These grants support adjunct professional development, lecturers’ professional development, faculty mentoring at RIT, and leadership development activities.

• Adjunct Professional Development Grants

  • Nicole Chow, Communication Studies and Services

  • Rhonda Voight-Campbell, American Sign Language-English Interpreting Dept.
     

• Faculty Mentoring Grants

  • Mike Kane, Business Studies Dept. and Sarah Sarchet, Science and Math Dept.
     

• Lecturer’s Professional Development Grants

  • Danny Maffia, American Sign Language-English Interpreting Dept.

Event plans continue to develop for NTID’s Big Read. A book discussion of “Deaf Republic” by Ilya Kaminsky, led by Sarah Kinor of NTID’s Department of Liberal Studies, is 1 – 2 p.m. Friday, March 24, in CSD-1310.

Free copies of “Deaf Republic” are available at the entrance of Ritter Library. You also may contact Joan Naturale or Jill Bradbury for copies.

RIT Libraries’ Big Read “Deaf Republic” InfoGuide and Deaf Poets InfoGuide, both developed by Joan Naturale, are available to support reading discussion.

Jill Bradbury and Joan Naturale presented to librarians at the Monroe County Library System, and to college, public, and school librarians at the Rochester Regional Library Council about the Big Read: “Deaf Republic,” and how they could participate. The following libraries are participating: Henrietta, Rochester, Gates, Pittsford, Victor, and upstate libraries near Utica and Rome. The Big Read website contains updated information and events as they are scheduled.

Dyer Arts Center’s “Insert Missing History Here”

“Insert Missing History Here” is an addition to the Dyer’s current exhibit “Shaped by the American Dream, Deaf History through Deaf Art.” Dyer’s new director, Fran Flaherty, saw the potential to create conversation around representation. With three white walls, visitors are invited to view the exhibit, contemplate the blankness of the walls, and insert our own missing history. Paper, pencils, push pins, and other paraphernalia will be available for visitors to write about how their own experiences are missing from history. “Insert Missing History Here” will be on view through Feb. 28, 2023, in celebration of Black Heritage Month.

Daniel Durant and “CODA” screening

RIT/NTID alumnus Daniel Durant will be on campus Feb. 16 and 17. At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16, a screening of the award-winning film “CODA,” which Daniel co-starred in, will be shown in Ingle Auditorium. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers with Daniel after the screening.

Submitted by Denise Kavin: NTID Outreach will offer summer programs to middle and high school deaf and hard-of-hearing youth on campus again this year. Pre-Employment Transition programs are in June and August. Explore Your Future is July 8-16, TechTigers (formerly Tech Boyz/Girlz) and HealthCare Careers Exploration programs are July 22-27.

Please welcome Dulcie Fisher to the Office of the Associate Dean of Research (OADR) as a research programs financial administrator.

Dulcie came to OADR from GCCIS’s Department of Computing Security, where she was a grant assistant. Previously, she was the accounts payable and purchasing manager in the Office of Sponsored Programs & Research Compliance at SUNY New Paltz. Dulcie also is an RIT graduate. She has worked in higher education for 12 years, six of those specifically related to sponsored projects. Dulcie’s experience in grants administration and higher education will be an asset in her role working with Mary Lamb and Maria Nikolaou. Her office is located in the OADR Suite, 50C-A226.

Submitted by Todd Pagano and Dawn Sullivan

• NTID’s Professional and Student Scholar Development Office has supported research conducted by student Bo Allaby, a fourth year psychology major, who is conducting independent research on aging and cognition, and specifically the construct of cognitive reserve. Visit our website for more information about student research funding and resources.

• The 2023 NTID Student Research Fair is scheduled for 10 a.m. – noon Friday, April 21, in Rosica Hall. NTID-supported student researchers will present posters or give demonstrations highlighting their research. The Call for Abstracts will be announced in February, and there will be workshops to help students write their abstracts and prepare for their presentations. For more information, contact Todd Pagano.

Join me in congratulating our colleagues who have moved to new positions, and welcome new members to the NTID community.

New positions

Elizabeth Hanks, interpreter/coordinator, NTID Center on Access Technology

Tiffany Panko, associate research professor and executive director, Deaf Healthcare and Biomedical Science Hub

Todd Thieu, coordinator of interpreter training and exchange initiative, Department of Access Services

New hires

Carly Alicea, audiologist I, Communication Studies and Services

Tadhg Hicken, research associate, NTID SPaCE Center

Robyn Padilla, assistant director, NTID Counseling and Academic Advising Services

Krystal Starks, senior staff assistant, Deaf Healthcare and Biomedical Science Hub

What is the best part of your job?

Two things: the people I get to work with, and the satisfaction I feel in following in my parents’ footsteps here at NTID. Both started working here around 1970 and remained until retirement, and it’s wonderful to know that I am, in some small way, continuing the work they loved.

What would surprise people to know about you?

I published a book in 2022 entitled, “Are We There Yet? An Illustrated Journey of Coping & Creativity During COVID-19,” about what we all endured and accomplished in the first year of the pandemic. More info at www.NewYorkTate.com.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Amateur photography, creating large cross-stitch pieces and Ukrainian Easter Eggs, reading (and writing reviews on my blog), watching baseball, exploring the Rochester area, travel and visiting friends when I can, and video chats with my best friend’s 4-year-old.

What is the best part of your major?

The best part of my major is that I can use what I have learned to help everyone. I like helping others, and I am glad that my major teaches me skills that allow me to have an impact on friends, family, and communities. For example, I can help friends and family with taxes and help people better understand financial stuff. I have been involved in different club positions related to my major. It’s incredible how my major can be applied everywhere and help everyone.

What would surprise people to learn about you?

People will be surprised to learn that I am the only deaf child with two older brothers. It is surprising because I have deaf parents. It’s pretty cool that I am the only deaf child, whereas my other siblings are hearing. It's also a surprise to many people that I have deaf parents.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I love listening to music, exercising, playing basketball, playing video games, hanging out with my friends, and many other things. However, the one thing I have always loved to do was play video games. I am a gamer at heart.

Directory photos for newly hired NTID faculty and staff are Feb. 6 - 8. Sign up using this Google sheet. Please arrive on time. For best results, please wear solid color clothing, and avoid anything with logos – except those with RIT and NTID departments. Current faculty and staff who need to update their photo may do so Feb. 9 and 10. For all appointments, please submit a completed Talent Release form prior to your scheduled time. Please contact Matthew Sluka if you are unable to make your appointment.

If you need to use your directory photo for anything other than the directory (e.g. submitting to a publication, adding to your personal web page), please contact Matthew or Susan Murad.

Thanks to the ASLIE Department’s Danny Maffia, who coordinated pro bono work by Bachelor of Science in interpreting students at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, NTID now is part of RMSC’s Community Partner Program. Anyone with an RIT ID (tell them you are with NTID) and their families gets free admission to the RMSC (excluding planetarium). Contact the RMSC with questions.

Submitted by Gina Coyne

Staff Council held a closed meeting on Thursday, Jan. 19, and welcomed new representatives Jonathan Santer (Block 1) and Lia Giasi (Block 6).

Representatives discussed topics including employee morale and SC involvement with senior administration. Standing SC committees and blocks held breakout sessions to plan for the remainder of the term.

A few reminders:

• Director of Compensation, Tina Ross, will attend our next SC meeting 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, via Zoom to discuss compensation and wage bands. Please submit any questions you have to your SC representative or staffcouncil@rit.edu, or bring your questions to the meeting.

• Meeting minutes from the Dec. 8, 2022, Staff Council meeting were approved, and the full version is on the Staff Council website – Past Meetings.

• Rick Postl has been named permanent director of NTID’s Office of Admissions.

• Congratulations to all who participated in the Shining a Light event at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. The event marks the first time the event has happened at a school for the deaf. Special kudos to Visual Communications Studies faculty Eric Kunsman and chair Andrea Zuchegno, along with the many volunteers and staff who made this possible.

• The following colleagues have completed the Cultural Humility Certificate program offered by RIT’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Each person must attend a total of six workshops to complete the certificate:

  • Janine Butler, associate professor, Department of Liberal Studies

  • Dana Cardona, interpreter

  • Brittany Coyne, associate interpreter

  • Gina Coyne, associate interpreter

  • Nic Crouse-Dickerson, senior interpreter

  • Brian Haak, associate interpreter

  • Jennifer Jess, interpreter

  • Catherine Kiwitt, interpreter

  • Carolyn Kropp, senior interpreter

  • Nicole Lupinetti, interpreter

  • Venessa Martinez, apprentice interpreter

  • Jessica Morgan, interpreting coordinator

  • Jennifer Mura, interpreter

  • Maria Nikolaou, research programs financial administrator

  • Jonathan Roman, associate interpreter

  • Christy Smith, interpreter

  • Karen Tobin, senior lecturer, Department of Science and Mathematics

  • Sara Villa, captionist II
     

• Kim Kurz, Peter Hauser and Geo Kartheiser have published “Second language learning of depiction in a different modality: The case of sign language acquisition” in January’s “Frontiers in Communication” publication.

• The NTID Scholarship Committee has recognized Eric Kunsman with NTID’s Pre-Tenured Scholarship Award for 2022-2023.

• Joseph Bochner’s article on cochlear implantation was published in the winter edition of Hearing Health Magazine.

• Pam Conley’s memoir “Solving Mysteries of Language Access and Power with Nancy Drew” was recently published in "Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature," drawing praise from the publishers.

Here is a sampling of NTID-related articles and news stories:

• Sally and Michael Skyer establish scholarship in Melissa’s name.

• RIT’s Thomas Warfield honored with ‘Twenty-five Years Through Movement and Space,’ Feb. 24-26

• NTID researcher helps preserve the rich history of Black ASL

• RIT/NTID receives federal funding appropriation from 2023 Omnibus budget

• Photos: AIDB students participate in Photography Project

• Disability Leadership Scholars program aims to educate and empower

• Vicario named Women’s Hockey Operations Coordinator

• Deaf West to Co-Present 3rd Annual National Deaf High School Theatre Festival