From the NTID President's Office - March 2024

Submitted by Rick Postl

We are focused on building the fall 2024 class. Recent trips to two middle school math competitions gave us good insights for students in the pipeline. Ongoing collaboration among Admissions, Outreach, Project Fast Forward, and the NTID Regional STEM Center continues to be critical. Enrollment for fall is looking good. The number of accepts and deposits exceeds the seven-year average.

Submitted by Bryan Hensel

• Don’t miss the spring 2024 Lyon Lectureship Series with alumna Stephanie Nogueras, ’11. A deaf Latina, actress and advocate, Stephanie has starred in programs such as “Switched at Birth,” “The Good Fight,” “Accused,” “American Diablo,” and more. During this moderated discussion you will learn how Stephanie launched her career while a student at RIT/NTID, and went on to hold prominent roles in television, film and on stage. The lecture is scheduled 6:30 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in the CSD Student Development Center, rooms 1300/1310. Contact Brian Haak, NTID events manager, for more information. The event is free, but registration is required.
• Join us for the spring 2024 NTID ASL Lecture Series, “Deaf Centered Interpreting: The answer we have been looking for?” with Thomas K. Holcomb, Ph.D., professor, Ohlone College, at noon Friday, March 29.  You can view the presentation live in the Dyer Arts Center, or register to watch via Zoom. Please contact Leisa Boling, RADSCC interim coordinator, for more information.

Submitted by Todd Pagano

Please support our wonderful student researchers and join us for NTID’s Student Research Fair 10 a.m. – noon Friday, April 12, in Rosica Hall.

NTID-supported student researchers will share how they are breaking new ground in health science, chemistry, communication studies/linguistics, access technologies, environmental research, and more.

Abstracts can still be submitted at the fair website. For more information, contact Todd Pagano.

Submitted by John Macko

Employer Partnerships:

• Miranda Harms met with Ramon Moran, CODA and program manager of external partnerships at Blue Origin, a private aerospace manufacturing company based in Kent, Washington, with locations across the country, to share more information about our students and graduates in engineering and business operations for potential co-ops and employment.
• Pam Christopher had a virtual meeting with eight representatives from the Department of Homeland Security to discuss potential co-op and full-time opportunities for our students.
• Emma Bixler from CorpsTHAT had a successful campus visit and met with 16 students. CorpsTHAT works to support the inclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing participants in conservation corps and outdoor programs.
• Regina Kiperman-Kiselgof and John Macko had a productive meeting with Stacy from the CIA in Washington D.C., to discuss employment opportunities, plans for students to visit the headquarters, possible collaboration in a future Deaf Employment Summit 2, and participation in NTID summer programs. 
• Sophie Powell met with the owners of United Hands and Coney Island House of Wings. Both owners are seeking students for social media manager/content creator internship positions.

Jobs posted on the NC3 website include:

• Schenectady City School District - American Sign Language (ASL) teacher
• Initiatives/Mediabrands - residency program - multiple positions
• Cloudbeds - IT administrator and senior strategic finance analyst (remote)
• Service Bridges, Inc. - service coordinator and staff Interpreter
• Texas Association of the Deaf - junior social media coordinator and junior web developer (remote)

Upcoming Events:

• Beth Karbowski and Erica Roethel will attend the CSUN Assistive Technology conference in Anaheim, California.
• Sophie Powell, Regina Kiperman-Kiselgof, and Pam Christopher will attend and exhibit at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Talent conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Submitted by Linda Bryant

NTID’s Online Office developed a new certificate for anyone interested in making their coursework and media accessible. Now available on Talent Roadmap, the Inclusive Course Design: Strategies for Accessibility is a four-course, self-paced, online series that fosters understanding, strategies, and actionable steps toward more inclusive and accessible course materials. Each course takes approximately one hour to complete. Participants are not required to do all four courses, and can choose the order they complete them; however, it is recommended to do them in order. A Certificate of Completion is awarded to those who complete all four courses.

• Course 1: Understanding the Student Experience provides instructors with insight into student learning challenges, examples of diverse learning experiences, and tips to help all students thrive in their classes.
• Course 2: Empowering Learning Through Ally’s Alternative Formats advances instructors’ knowledge of tools available within myCourses that are designed to make your course content more accessible.
• Course 3: Ensuring Accessible Documents provides instructors with the guidance necessary to gain valuable insights and skills for creating accessible digital documents.
• Course 4: Crafting Accessible Digital Media helps instructors develop skills for creating and reviewing engaging and accessible digital media.

Thank you to the following colleagues who participated in the development and review of these courses: Serena Tucker-Cooke, Charles Coleman, Jr., Janine Butler, Michael (Mike) Kane, and Stacy Bick. Visit the link to register on Talent Roadmap. If you have questions, email NTIDOL@rit.edu.

Submitted by Joan Naturale

RIT Libraries and NTID are establishing a library and Deaf Studies Archives advisory committee. The primary objective of this committee is to provide guidance and recommendations for the digitization of our extensive community-based Deaf Studies Archives collections, totaling over 200 collections. The ultimate goal is to make these valuable resources accessible online for faculty, students, and the broader community. Additionally, the committee will play a vital role in advising on inclusive library and Deaf Studies Archives services. Members of this advisory committee are: Leisa Boling, Corinna Hill, Joseph Hill, and Jeanne Behm. Joan Naturale is the library and DSA consultant for this advisory committee.

Submitted by Ellen Johnson

My mom was a single mother raising four children. As a child, Salvation Army and Family Service Rochester helped us receive food, cleaning products, Christmas gifts, and other types of assistance. As a mother myself, I benefited from the Young Mothers Program at YWCA, from the services my son with disabilities received via the Al Sigil Center, Mary Cariola, and Lifespan, from Head Start that my daughter and youngest son attended, and from the Empire Justice Center, which helped connect my son with an advocate and helped me establish my nonprofit. These United Way organizations and more have assisted my family over the years, so I know first-hand how the United Way can help individuals when they need it most. That is why I am honored to represent NTID and serve as chair of the 2024 RIT United Way Campaign this March.

RIT’s 2024 United Way Campaign Goal is to raise $285,000 for our community and have 900 participating donors. I hope NTID will do our part to reach those goals. Please read the emails from your NTID Key Captains as they communicate about the campaign, and please join us for NTID’s United Way Silent Auction Fundraiser March 19-21. Donate at RIT’s United Way website, or contact your Key Captain (or me) for more information. Together, we can help United Way organizations like these make a difference as they did for my family.

Submitted by Maria Ocasio

Please welcome the following new hires:

• Noel King, mental health therapist, Counseling and Psychological Services
• Matthew Parsley, technical theater assistant, Department of Performing Arts
• Joseph Ruggieri, student financial services coordinator, Student and Academic Services

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is getting to know all our amazing cross-registered students. I was lucky to know many of the COS and CHST students as support coordinator in that area and many of the CET, KGOE and GCCIS students from my time tutoring physics. In my new role as the director of cross-registered academic services, I am branching out, working with all our cross-registered students. Here is my shameless plug to meet even more – it’s time for interested students to run for cross-registered senator. I meet weekly with our senator and work closely with the cross-registered Student Advisory Board members. Both are a great opportunity for me to support students in making changes and improvements to the cross-registered community at RIT.

What would surprise people to know about you?

I was a cheerleader in high school and college. I even coached cheerleading at my first two jobs. 

Many of my lifelong friendships started on the cheerleading squad. As we are going into March Madness, I was courtside for two NCAA basketball tournaments. I remember the first year we went to the “Big Dance,” we were all upset that the selection committee sent us to Dayton, Ohio, instead of Florida for spring break. It all worked out amazingly, though – Florida was cold and rainy; Dayton had temperatures in the 70s. Also, being from Ohio, it was easy for my family to make the trip.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time, you will find me doing something with my pack of Weimaraners. Every week, the older one visits people in a nursing home, including a retired RIT faculty member. The younger one is active in a variety of dog sports. We have tried multiple activities/competitions from Fit Dog to Barn Hunting and Fast Cat. She has multiple titles in Rally and Confirmation, and our current focus is agility training. We are hoping to compete in agility this summer, once we gain a little more confidence on the See-Saw. I’m hoping there will be a new puppy joining our pack this summer.

What is the best part of your major?

Being part of the Advertising and Public Relations major and COLA, it is truly a blessing to be around people every day and learn about the history of advertising, beginning from the printing press to now, with social media. I enjoy all of my professors and the individuals who are students!

What would surprise people to know about you?

People are surprised to know that I am double jointed, and I play club lacrosse in my free time! 

What do you do in your free time?

I am involved with club lacrosse, student government as the cross-registered senator, and I am a supervisor at the Student Life Center, where most recreational sports occur! 

• Join us for the 2023-24 Celebration of Teaching and Scholarship 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in Ingle Auditorium to honor some of our own:
  • Provost’s Excellence in Student Learning Outcomes Award to the Master of Science Program in Secondary Education for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • Provost’s Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Award to Sarah Sarchet, Department of Science and Mathematics
• Please join OADR in congratulating NTID’s newest members of PI Millionaires, a group of faculty/staff who have surpassed $1 million in career funding at RIT. Bonnie Jacob, Jason Nordhaus, Keven Poore, and Tommie Sarchet will be recognized at the Principal Investigator Reception in March. This recognition is indicative of the hard work and long hours these colleagues have put into securing funding for their programs and research labs.
• Patrick Graham, chair of the Master of Science in Secondary Education program, was honored with the Innovation in Teaching Teachers with Technology award at the Association of College Educators-Deaf and Hard of Hearing conference in Las Vegas. The award recognized Graham’s efforts in developing innovative online strategies for teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
• Amy Stornello has been named a member of the board of directors of the Center for Dispute Settlement. The organization focuses on mediation, and is looking to become a resource for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
• The following students received recognition at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival -- Region 2 in Pittsburgh, Jan 24-27, 2024 (updated from previous notice):
  • Ace Gray - Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Audition Finalist (Top award in this category) going to National Festival in Washington, D.C.
  • McClain "Mac" Leong - Stage Management Fellow (Top award in this category) and going to National Festival in Washington, D.C.
  • Rebecca Lewis, Ace Gray - Outstanding Ensemble Performance of a National Playwriting Program script
  • Serena Rush - Best Classical Acting Award from the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship; Directing Initiative Program Regional Runner-Up

• Sign language brings benefits to the organic chemistry classroom
• Scientists and researchers are trying to make ASL more STEM-inclusive
• American Sign Language reveals wordplay beyond sound
• Alex Van Hook named to RIT/NTID Alumni Association
• Catherine Clark featured in the publication “Diversity In Action”
• Deaf scientist Amie Sankoh overcomes barriers
• Alum Keith Banks introduces audiences to the deaf world through his performances
• “Brilliance” opening reception in RIT/NTID's Dyer Arts Center
• RIT receives diversity and inclusion award from NIH
• “A Quiet Place” trailer details Deaf representation

• Courtney Anne Hancock, SVP ’07, ’11 NTID (Administrative Support Technology), ’14 University Studies (Applies Arts and Sciences), passed away Feb. 15, 2024.