News by Topic: Diversity

Anika Griffiths, a fourth-year sociology and anthropology major and Student Government Women’s Senator, has been selected to give a spoken-word performance at RIT’s Moving Forward: Suffrage Past, Present and Future symposium on April 8.

President David Munson covered the state of the campus in regards to COVID-19, the Action Plan for Race & Ethnicity, Imagine RIT, commencement, and more during his most recent “Ask Munson” interview on WITR radio.

Intersections: The RIT Podcast, Ep. 45: As our society reckons with issues of racial disparity and mental health, RIT’s Counseling and Psychological Services is working to address some of the unique mental health challenges facing RIT’s students of color. Three mental health therapists who identify as people of color—Odessa Despot, Jaime Castillo, and Isabel Chandler—discuss issues related to mental health stigma, the impacts of racism and racial trauma, and ways to support those experiencing mental health issues.

Global librarian Susan “Sue” Mee plays an essential role supporting students on RIT’s international campuses in Croatia, Dubai, Kosovo, and China. Her position as library liaison for distance/online education took on a global focus 15 years ago when the university expanded its RIT Global presence.

JayShaud Potter has taken advantage of studying at two university campuses, earning multiple degrees. His next adventure is the world of entrepreneurship, where he is developing a smart pillow to help the deaf community. 

Essay by Joan Naturale, reference librarian, NTID, published by The Conversation.

RIT students have the opportunity this spring to learn from professional artists in a series of free virtual workshops with Broadway performers and dancers. The “Broadway Comes to RIT” series will be held on Sundays, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. via Zoom.

NTID has received approval from the New York State Education Department for a bachelor’s degree program in community development and inclusive leadership. The new program will admit its first students in fall 2022

An endowment dedicated to a beloved Black History Month tradition at NTID has been fully funded. Thanks to the generosity of the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, the Johnnie “JB” Brown Black History Month Celebration Endowment Fund will ensure the popular Black History Month Potluck Luncheon will continue.

WGRZ-TV interviews Joseph Hill, associate professor in NTID’s Department of American Sign Language and Interpreting Education, about Black American Sign Language.

RIT and NTID have announced a partnership with Garth Fagan Dance for a “cooperative-creative-connection” to begin Aug. 1.

A virtual opening reception for the Dyer Arts Center’s newest exhibit will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, via Zoom. The exhibition “This is Not Normal: Deaf Modernist Sensibilities,” will showcase Surrealism and other works within the broader genre of Modernism by Deaf artists.