Makini Beck

Home Department: School of Individualized Study

Interests (Teaching/Research): Narrative Inquiry, teaching diverse learners, mentoring women of color in academia, spirituality as a pedagogical practice

Year Started at RIT: 2013

Favorite place(s) on campus: The School of Individualized Study is a warm and welcoming space with amazing people who are passionate about helping students see the value and purpose of their lives through academic engagement.

Mentorship areas: Navigating the RIT academic landscape

1. Proud Professional Moment: The moment I walked across the stage as a PhD in my academic regalia, that I call my second wedding dress. That day, I looked at the dome that sat atop of the University of Rochester library and I said to it – “I slayed the beast”!    

2. Trials and Foils: I learned to fail a lot. Some will even say to fail more often.  Failure must be in the veins of champions. It teaches you strength and humility, and shows you what you are made of.  

3. Words of Wisdom:

“Never, never, never give up!” ~Winston Churchill  

“I tell my students, ‘when you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else’.” ~Toni Morrison

4. Future Aspirations:  Tenured faculty, and to one day own my own school.