News by Topic: Student Experience

RIT has received the “Peace Corps Prep” designation, enabling its students to take certain classes to better prepare them for service in the Peace Corps upon graduation. RIT is the first university in Western New York to receive the designation, and the fifth in the state.

It took a Herculean effort over the summer to move RIT Libraries’ holdings out of the shadow of the SHED construction and into the Frank Ritter Ice Arena. The library will stay in its temporary new home until completion of the Student Hall for Exploration and Development and the combined library renovation in 2023.

Gracie’s, RIT’s largest dining facility which has fed students for decades in Grace Watson Hall, reopened this month after a five-month renovation project in its seating area. It was the second and final phase of renovation; the kitchen and serving areas were renovated in 2019.

Students, faculty, and staff are starting a new year during a continuing global pandemic. But that’s not stopping the momentum of student success, research, fundraising, and building projects designed to make RIT even better. That was just part of the message RIT President David Munson told the university community this morning at his annual President’s Address.

A record number of first-year students Wednesday made their way to the Gordon Field House and Activities Center to cheers and welcomes from faculty, staff, and members of the RIT Pep Band during the annual Tiger Walk and New Student Convocation.

When classes begin Aug. 23, university administrators expect students will enjoy a more traditional fall semester, albeit one with masking requirements. Most classes will be held in person and related academic activities will resume. 

Thousands of students are expected back on campus next week, as a record number of freshmen move in, begin orientation, and attend New Student Convocation. Roughly 3,260 first-year students are expected – about 1,000 a day will move in starting Sunday through Tuesday. That’s up more than 250 students from last year, which also saw a record number of freshmen.

Tia Shipman earned her master’s degree in health systems management while working full time. The Health Systems Quality and Organization Learning class gave her a clear direction in a health care field crowded with possibilities.

To be considered for the list, recommended schools had to demonstrate excellence or competency in integrated learning-through-doing orientation; mentoring, guidance, and coaching for making; physical makerspaces; accessible spaces and tools that support independent, collaborative projects; and a diverse, active community of makers.

Ten College of Science students received funding to work with faculty mentors on summer-long research projects as part of the HHMI Inclusive Excellence Summer Research Experience. The program is for students who just completed their first year at RIT and helps broaden RIT’s research groups to include a greater diversity of culture.

Lucas Randrianarivelo was excited to start college five years ago, but it wasn’t until he became involved in student activities that he felt at home on campus. This year, Randrianarivelo, a fifth-year mechanical engineering major, is RIT Student Government president.

Maryalice Ball, a fourth-year chemical engineering major from Buffalo, N.Y., has been part of RIT’s Orientation team for nearly three years. She works as student orientation coordinator alongside four other students.