From the NTID President's Office - March 2023

Jason Listman has been selected to receive the Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching for the 2022-2023 academic year. Awards for outstanding teaching are considered through groupings of the colleges. Jason’s award emanated from Group 3, which includes NTID, the College of Science, and the College of Health Sciences and Technology. The award will be presented at a ceremony and reception at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13, in Ingle Auditorium, and Jason will be recognized during the RIT Convocation ceremony May 12.

Submitted by Vicki Liggera

We’re pleased to announce new hires who have joined the NTID Counseling and Academic Advising Services team in academic year 2022-2023: Greg Beattie (Aug. 2022), Robin Padilla (Dec. 2022), and Lauren Goldberg (Jan. 2023). While each counselor/academic advisor may work with students all across NTID, each has a “primary” academic department they work with: Greg works with lab science technology and engineering students, Robin works with business studies students, and Lauren works with visual communication studies students. We’re also happy to have Kara Matchett-Putz, who joined Aug. 2021, and works with information and computing studies students.

We are looking for two more counselors/academic advisors; please encourage those in your network to apply!

Submitted by John Macko

• Katie White, director of accountability at Initiative, and a 2003 RIT graduate, invited Dawn Lucas and Beth Karbowski to present the “Working Together: Hearing and Deaf People” workshop to nine representatives from Media Brands and Initiative. Both employers are interested in hiring our students this summer.
• Advertised and produced a short video to encourage students to apply for Disability:IN’s NextGen Leaders program, a six-month mentorship and career development program for college students and recent graduates with disabilities, including veterans.
  • Roshan Mathew, a master’s degree student in human computer interaction, was accepted into the program.
• The 8th Deaf Employment Summit webinar, “Infinity & Beyond,” is scheduled for Thursday, March 9. The webinar is hosted by Gallaudet University in collaboration with NTID, Communication Service for the Deaf, and the National Association of the Deaf.
• Beth Karbowski met with Dr. Andy Tao, executive producer at Blue20 Productions, to discuss internship and contract opportunities for our students in visual communications and business studies majors. Dr. Tao is an RIT/NTID alumnus.
• Amy Stornello’s proposal, “Diversity through the Deaf Lens: Understanding the Deaf community’s struggles for employability,” has been selected to be presented at the National Association of Colleges and Employers 2023 Conference & Expo in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, in June.

Submitted by Joan Naturale

There are a number of BIG READ: NTID “Deaf Republic” events planned for March and April, with more to be added. Stay up to date on all events by checking the Big Read: NTID website and RIT events calendar.

Forty printed copies of “Deaf Republic” are available for borrowing at Monroe County public libraries, and there are 40 copies of the ebook version that patrons can check out through the Libby App and Overdrive. The ebooks will be available through April.

A few upcoming events connected to the Big Read: NTID include:

• Discussions of “Deaf Republic”:
  • Discussion and a short presentation by Kitty Jospé titled “How do you hear?” Friday, March 10, 10:30-11:30 at the Pittsford Community Library, 24 State St. Pittsford. Registration is required.
  • Wednesday, March 22, 6-8 p.m. at the Gates Public Library, 902 Elmgrove Rd. Rochester. Registration is required.
  • Friday, March 24, 1-2 p.m. in CSD/SDC-1310
  • Saturday, March 25, 2-4 p.m. at the Gates Public Library, 902 Elmgrove Rd. Rochester. Registration is required.
• Sara Katz, author of “Country of Glass,” will read selections of her poetry Monday, March 27, 7-8 p.m. at the Pittsford Community Library, 24 State St. Pittsford, and via Zoom. Interpreters have been requested. Registration is required.
• Kickoff of Deaf History and Poetry months with author Ilya Kaminsky presenting poems from “Deaf Republic” Saturday, April 1, 5-6:30 p.m. at the Gates Public Library, 902 Elmgrove Rd., with a book signing and reception to follow. (Interpreted). Registration is required.
• Discussion of “Deaf Republic” with the RIT Student Book Club, Saturday, April 1, 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge, Campus Center.
• “Deaf Republic” reading by Ilya Kaminsky, Sunday, April 2, 3:30-5 p.m.  in Webb Auditorium, James Booth Hall.
• NTID Performing Arts production of “Deaf Republic” Friday, April 14, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday, April 15, 2-4 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m., and  Sunday, April 16, 2-4 p.m. in the Henrietta Ballroom, RIT Inn.

We would love student participation for the April 1 kickoff and other events. Transportation to the event can be arranged. Please poll your students/classes to determine interest, and email Joan Naturale with feedback.

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 2022 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 Heather Eaggleston

RIT’s 2022 United Way Campaign kicks off Wednesday, March 1, and runs through the end of the month. Thank you to all NTID community members who stepped up to serve as Key Captains for their areas. They are essential to running the campaign and helping us meet our goal of raising $300,000 for the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes community. RIT’s theme for this year’s campaign is “Tigers Together.” Please consider what you can do as an individual to support the campaign so that together we can lift up our community and the agencies that provide crucial services.

Watch for the following campaign events: PB Jam, CHAIRity Auction, Spring Pie Sale, and NTID’s own Bake Sale and Auction. United Way Steering Committee Members Sydney Long, Ellen Johnson, and Heather Eaggleston are still accepting donated items, gift cards, and baskets for the auction through Friday, March 10. Tigers Together can make a difference—please consider donating today.

What is the best part of your job?

As a non-academic interpreter, I have the opportunity to interact with people from all over the university, at every level. I have the privilege to have a glimpse into how the university runs from behind the scenes.

What would surprise people to know about you?

I began college as a fine arts major, then dropped out after one semester; I attended three different colleges before earning a degree in psychology.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to get outside with my dog and my people. We adopted a pup from a puppy mill rescue organization during the pandemic. It was one of the best decisions we've ever made. She is a joy and keeps me from hiding inside the house. Her name is Pippi Lue Ruby Dark-Lord-of-All Dickerson, name credit to my kiddos and dear friend Emily Z.!

What is the thing you like most about your major?

As a web and mobile computing major, I enjoy the opportunity to blend technology, accessibility, and creativity. Because of this, I feel the major has a unique variety of core classes compared to others.

What is something that would surprise people to know about you?

As a tech student, it may be surprising to know how much I like animals. The anatomy, behavior, and ecology of all kinds of creatures are of such great interest to me that I considered becoming a biologist at one point. I'm definitely a cat person, though!

What do you do in your free time?

I am an artist in my free time. I like all kinds of mediums, but my favorites are graphite, clay, and digital.

Join me in congratulating the following colleagues on their new positions.

New hires:

• Jerald Creer, senior staff assistant, performing arts department
• Myles Daoust, interpreter apprenticeship
• Dulcie Fisher, research programs financial administrator
• Emmanuel Garcia, senior research assistant
• Lauren Goldberg, counselor/academic advisor
• Kari Hansen, assistant director of institutional research
• Allison Higgins, senior staff assistant
• Rebecca McGregor, coordinator, student life programming
• Sarah Morgenthal, interpreter apprenticeship
• Derek Ochoa, interpreter apprenticeship
• Adena Poe, interpreter apprenticeship
• Jean Rodman, student employee liaison and interpreter, department of access services
• Emily Sien, interpreter apprenticeship

Transfers, promotions and permanent positions:

• Erin Clegg, associate director, internal outreach and special projects
• Joseph Fox, marketing communications specialist, performing arts department
• Wendi Gammon, manager, interpreting team for the College of Art and Design
• Brian Haak, events manager, office of external affairs
• Lori Harris, administrative operations manager, department of access services
• Sarah McCormick, assistant director, student life programming
• Rick Postl, director of NTID office of admissions
• Roxann Richards, associate director, external outreach and special projects

Submitted by Gina Coyne

• Emily Heyman, Staff Council chair’s report: 
  • Talent Development will put together some new learning resources for managers.
  • The Community Impact Award nominations are open. Staff interested in nominating students should fill out the  Qualtrics Survey | Community Impact Awards.
  • The Controller’s Office will be hosting Community of Practice training sessions. Training schedules can be found on the Controllers website. Sessions will be recorded for future reference and for those unable to make the live session. 
  • Be sure to check out Shop One, Shear Global, and other businesses in Global Village.
• Staff Council divisional committee provided an update from the enrollment management division. Their last quarterly meeting was Nov. 17. Applications are up across all academic units, and early feedback on attrition research has been reviewed; more information will be forthcoming. The FAFSA document will undergo small changes this year followed by big changes for next academic year, including a reduction of questions. All data will be sent electronically, as well as other changes.
• Old business regarding the Dec. 23 snow day and how time off should be applied according to university policy, as well as information regarding updates on the bonus and updates on FMS maintenance.
• New business included adding the Zoom link to the Staff Council website, and the impending removal of the RIT Wiki space.
• Dr. Keith Jenkins and Dr. David Wick discussed the results of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Campus Climate Survey. An opportunity for additional analysis and a follow-up of open-ended questions is currently underway.
• Jo Ellen Pinkham provided some background information on human resources’ role in determining the salary pool and employee benefits.
• Tina Ross, director of compensation, discussed compensation and wage bands, and answered questions from the council. Additional questions unable to be answered live will be forthcoming through additional discussions.

With a very busy spring underway, be sure the community knows about your event by posting it to the RIT Events Calendar. This is the main event information source for the university and has replaced individual department calendars. Submit your events or check specific dates for conflicts before scheduling your event.

• NTID’s bachelor of science in ASL-English interpretation program has been selected as the recipient of RIT’s 2022-2023 Excellence in Student Learning Outcomes Award, which will be presented at the same April 13 ceremony as the Eisenhart Award at 4:30 p.m. in Ingle Auditorium.
• Kelly Davis, Kathleen Brady, Mellissa Youngman and Mark Pfuntner received an award for their presentation at the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) conference in November.
• The following colleagues have earned RIT’s Cultural Humility Certificate:
  • Brian Bliss, interpreter
  • Chelsea Clutter, captionist I
  • Angela D'Alessandro, captionist II
  • Madeleine Grandon, captionist I
  • Anna Howland, captionist I
  • Carla Piccarreto, captionist II
  • Nicole Ribis, captionist II
  • Timothy Royce, captionist I
  • Shannon Smith, associate interpreter
  • Jessica Taylor, captionist I
  • Annika Temp, captionist I

• Thomas Warfield premiered a new orchestral work with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra called: “Freedom's Genuine Dawn,” in which he narrated the words of Frederick Douglass' famous Fourth of July speech. The work was commissioned by the RPO and Baltimore Symphony.
• Erin Auble will have two roles at the US Institute for Theater Technology conference this year:
  • co-chairing a presentation for the Education Commission Wednesday, March 15: "What’s In Your Accommodation Toolbox?";
  • running the hands-on Paint Lab for the Scenic Design and Technology Commission.
• Spencer Montan from NTID’s center on access technology has been appointed to serve as a member-at-large on the TDI – Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing board. 

• Deaf, hard-of-hearing students excited to compete in Alabama robotics tournament
• Deaf community enriches RIT experience for all
• RIT students to perform in Ovation on Friday
• RIT/NTID Dyer Arts Center’s ‘Insert Missing History Here’ exhibit encourages visitors to put their histories on paper

James A. Clement, 1979 Business (Business Administration), passed away in late January 2023.