From the NTID President's Office – February 2024

Submitted by Rick Postl

The FAFSA Simplification Act, passed by Congress, continues to experience roll out issues that impact all schools. The FAFSA finally was released Dec. 31, instead of Oct. 1, but schools will not receive the information needed to package students until late March/early April. The National Decision Day for high school seniors to commit to a school is May 1, so this delay contributes to uncertainty for families making decisions based on affordability. RIT is well-positioned by making available the RIT Financial Aid Application, releasing financial aid *estimates,* and communicating confident messages to students and families. This impacts RIT/NTID students as well, but to a lesser degree, presuming that financial circumstances remain stable. Continued attentiveness and engagement among faculty and staff who meet with prospective students and families in the peak campus visitation season this spring is critical.

Submitted by Amy Stornello

The Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey launched for students on February 10, 2024. All students received an email from the Title IX Office that day, inviting them to take the survey. We need your assistance with encouraging students to participate. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. 

The survey is available in ASL.

The climate survey is administered biennially as a requirement of NYS Education Law 129-B (Enough is Enough). RIT takes the opportunity to review survey responses to inform planning for prevention and awareness efforts on campus.

Tips for encouraging students:

• Share this information with your peers and colleagues!
• Provide time in class, meetings, practice or work for students to complete the survey.
• Give a reminder between now and when the survey closes on3/2/24.

Submitted by Todd Pagano

The 2024 NTID Student Research Fair is 10 a.m. - noon Friday, April 12, in Rosica Hall.

NTID-supported student researchers will present posters or give demonstrations highlighting their research. Please encourage your students to participate and submit abstracts by March 25. For more information/questions, contact Todd Pagano.

Submitted by Bryan Hensel

Save the date for the spring 2024 Edmund Lyon Memorial Lectureship with alum Stephanie Nogueras ’11. A deaf, Latina, actress and advocate, Nogueras is best known for her role as Natalie Pierce in “Switched at Birth,” and also has appeared in “Accused,” “The Good Fight,” “Criminal Minds,” “Grimm,” and much more. Beyond her acting career, Nogueras embraces her role as a mentor, dedicating her time to teaching ASL and Deaf culture to students and families. The lecture is 6:30 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in CSD Student Development Center-1300/1310.

Submitted by Heather Eaggleston

The NTID Annual Report fulfills the requirement of the Education of the Deaf Act that NTID prepare and submit an annual report to the U.S. Secretary of Education. The 2023 Annual Report is an excellent resource that provides a wealth of information about NTID, our students, and our work.

Reports for past years also are available online.

Submitted by Brittany Comegna

It takes many dedicated colleagues to provide support for Project Fast Forward. Thank you to those ‘behind the scenes’ professionals who make this program such a success nationwide:

• Patrick Smith, for supporting the Project Fast Forward webinar. His patience and attention to detail made all the difference as we attempted to navigate this fairly new frontier.
• Kim Taylor, for quickly packing two boxes of swag items to ship to California. The boxes were meticulously packed and looked amazing upon arrival.
• David Krohn, Catherine Kiwitt, and Donna O’Brien, for their quick action and flexibility switching from a remote appearance to a live appearance for the Project Fast Forward webinar. It wouldn’t have been possible without you!
• Ilene Avallone, for always being on top of things, responding to emails with lightning speed, and for being an overall great person to work with. 
• Tate DeCaro, for helping us understand the communication flow in Slate, and for her upbeat attitude in managing email blasts. You make our jobs so much easier!

Submitted by Joan Naturale

We received a donation fund from alum and artist Remy Glock ’11 in honor of her friend, a deaf computer scientist, Dr. Brent Neil Shiver. Using the donation, we purchased two art pieces: “Midnight Rider” and “Grand Florale,” both by artist Charles Wildbank, that will be on display in the library.

Submitted by Tim Albert

Please send event information to Rebecca McGregor, Student Life Team program coordinator for social media. Rebecca is happy to add event information to the weekly graphic series “What’s Up at NTID?” that runs on digital displays. 

Submitted by Maria Ocasio

Join me in welcoming the newest members of RIT/NTID and congratulating colleagues who have moved into new areas.

New hires:

• Dionne Bash, senior staff specialist, Office of the Associate Dean of Research
• Lauren Berger, interpreter, Department of Access Services
• Valerie Burgio, interpreter, Department of Access Services
• Frances Cooley, tenure track faculty, Department of Liberal Studies
• Alianna Guidice, associate interpreter, Department of Access Services
• Benjamin Jarashow, non-tenure track faculty, Department of Liberal Studies
• Sydney Roy, associate interpreter, Department of Access Services
• Alexandria Schoonover, senior program coordinator, Office of External Affairs
• Hannah Smith, associate interpreter, Department of Access Services
• Renae Smith, associate interpreter, Department of Access Services
• Danielle Uhlig, associate interpreter, Department of Access Services
• Emily Young, associate interpreter, Department of Access Services

Transfers:

• Jennifer Gentzke, non-tenure track faculty, MSSE
• Adena Poe, apprentice interpreter, Department of Access Services

1. What is the best part of your job? 

My favorite part of my job as a marketing communications specialist for CMMS is to work very closely with people and clients to address communications needs, which allows me to research, write, and develop content to promote exciting events, programs, and initiatives to wider audiences via communications channels. Additionally, I enjoy conducting interviews, writing and producing stories about alumni events as well as achievements. 

2. What would surprise people to know about you?

One of the things that surprises people to learn about me is that I am currently pursuing my second master’s degree, studying for a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing. I obtained my first master’s degree in communications from Northwestern University. 

3. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

During my spare time, I enjoy hanging out and participating in several activities with friends. Far away from home, I spend a lot of time video phoning with my parent, while watching sports (especially since my sibling currently works as an assistant coach for an NBA team) on TV. I also regularly read news outlets, such as “New York Times” and “Wall Street Journal,” to stay updated on current happenings around the world. 

This fourth-year BS/MS Mechanical Engineering Technology major from Vancouver, Washington, recently led the effort behind the Deaf in STEM conference on campus. 

1. What is the best part of your major?

There are no specific parts that make engineering awesome as it is. The engineering world is a fascinating place to be. Not only do you get to work on solving problems with really awesome people, but you also get to see and understand the connection between different areas of concepts such as materials science, thermal, chemistry, physics, automation, and so much more. I also love seeing other women in engineering pursue their disciplines, and having a community supporting each other through the world of engineering and STEM. 

2. What would surprise people to know about you? 

Before I returned to school, I used to be a chef working in the kitchen industry. I also love cows, especially highland cows. I want to visit Scotland and see highland cows someday. 

3. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love spending time with my family doing activities through camping, fishing, kayaking, playing card games, and watching sports. I am currently learning how to skate. I also enjoy cooking and learning new recipes. 

• Congratulations to the organizers, presenters, and attendees of the Deaf in STEM conference held Feb. 2 and 3 on campus. 
• MSSE Chairperson Patrick Graham received the “Innovation in Teaching Teachers with Technology” award at the Association of College Educators-Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ACEDHH) conference in Las Vegas. The award is to “honor the innovation in design or utilization of technology of an ACE-DHH member in terms of teaching, research and/or service in the preparation of teachers of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The nominee currently must be a faculty member in a program for preparing educators of students who are deaf or hard of hearing.” 
• The Center on Access Technology conducted their inaugural training session with the new, NTID developed C4 Access Solution! The hybrid captioning system offers is a flexible solution, enabling captionists to use automated speech-to-text while editing in real time to ensure the utmost accuracy and quality of captured information. Additionally, the application accommodates more traditional typing methods, including the use of abbreviations, further enhancing its versatility and usability. Kudos to all involved for their commitment to the advancement of accessibility solutions!
• Congratulations to the following RIT/NTID Performing Arts students who received accolades at the Region II Kennedy Center College Theatre Fest at West Chester University in January.
  • Serena Rush finished in third place.
  • Ace Gray won the Best Partner Award.
• Join me in congratulating the following colleagues who earned the Cultural Humility Certificate through RIT’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion:
  • Greg Beattie, assistant director, Counseling and Academic Advising Services
  • Michael Berrios, lecturer, Department of Information and Computing Studies
  • Jessica Contreras, research program coordinator, Center for Culture and Language
  • Christopher Cymbal, captionist II, Department of Access Services
  • Julie Diaz-Poore, assistant director, Counseling and Academic Advising Services
  • Maggie Donaldson, assistant director of NRSC and special projects
  • Amanda Dole, associate interpreter, Department of Access Services
  • Natanael Escalera, associate interpreter, Department of Access Services
  • Kara Everson, associate interpreter, Department of Access Services
  • Kristen Flood, director of operations and special assistant for strategic planning, Office of External Affairs
  • Taylor Gilster, interpreter, Department of Access Services
  • Bryan Hensel, executive director, Office of External Affairs
  • Elizabeth Jackson Machmer, audiologist II, Communication Studies and Services
  • Holly Jentsch, interpreting coordinator, Department of Access Services
  • Holly Memelo, captionist II, Department of Access Services
  • Lauren Perina, associate interpreter, Department of Access Services
  • Cheryl Reminder, coordinator, Department of Access Services
  • Jase Rivera, interpreter, Department of Access Services
  • Jennaca Saeva, interpreter, Department of Access Services
  • Kathryn Schmitz, department chair, Department of Liberal Studies
  • Marissa Woodruff, assistant director, Alumni Relations
  • Phillip Ynzunza, associate interpreter, Department of Access Services

• RIT and NTID receive diversity and inclusion award from NIH
• The new “A Quiet Place: Day One” trailer is here - but will the sequel do enough for deaf representation?
• People call out NFL for not broadcasting sign language performance of national anthem
• RIT/NTID alum Daniel Durant to sign national anthem at the Super Bowl
• Alum Karen Tellinghuisen named to local sports hall of fame
• Alum Sara Blick Nitko quoted in Philadelphia Inquirer article on gene therapy (subscriber only content)
• Stories on NTID earning a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts:
  • Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $8 Million to Support the Arts, Music, and Boost Educational & Cultural Programming Across New York Through the National Endowment for the Arts
  • National Endowment for the Arts Announces More Than $32 Million in Arts Funding to Organizations Nationwide
• Alum Stephanie Nogueras is featured in this story from RIT’s University Magazine.

• Kenneth K. Kressler, SVP ’75, ’80, NTID medical lab technician, passed away Dec. 26, 2023.
• Howard "Howie" Schlang, ’72, NTID programs, pre-1975, passed away Jan. 11, 2024.  
• Patrick J. Cullen, SVP ’72, ’77, business administration, passed away Jan. 29, 2024. 
• Christine “Kris” Noel Agrez, ’96, alum and former faculty member passed away Jan. 30, 2024.