Welcoming and Inclusive Environment

Diversity is about creating an intentionally inclusive and equitable environment for everyone to come together and thrive. How do we accomplish this? By inviting you to be you.

RIT has assembled an exceptional community of people who hold a genuine appreciation for unique interests and points of view. We have built an inviting community defined by inclusion and equity.

We welcome all. We celebrate all.

Because RIT is a place where ideas prosper, perspectives enlighten, global understanding and citizenship flourish, and everyone can identify and fulfill their sense of purpose, meaning, value, and ambition.

You bring you, and we’ll provide the rest.

Creativity begins with people from all walks of life. The credit for the RIT difference belongs to its people. We will attract and support an extraordinary mix of increasingly creative multi-talented students, faculty, and staff; and continue to diversify all segments of our community.
David C. Munson Jr,
President
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental aspects of RIT's identity as an institution and are intrinsically tied to its historic strength as one of America's most innovative and forward-looking universities.
Keith Jenkins,
Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion

Topics

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Key Facts

2,400

International Students

30.2%

Asian, Latino, African, and Native American Students

34.9%

Female Students

1,100+

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students Supported by RIT's National Technical Institute for the Deaf

11

Consecutive Years as a "Top 200 Colleges for Native Americans" -American Indian Science and Engineering Society's Winds of Change magazine

49th

"Most LGBTQ Friendly Colleges and Universities" Affordable Colleges

6

Consecutive Years as a “Diversity Champion”  – INSIGHT Into Diversity

13th

Among all U.S. Colleges and Universities in Forbes’ 2020 “America’s Best Employers for Diversity”

16

On-campus religious groups

15.3%

of RIT students identify as disabled and/or d/Deaf.

Spaces to Thrive

Students walking outside carrying a banner with rainbow colors

PRISM

The former Reading Room is now known as PRISM, the PRogressive Intersectional Space to Meet. All are welcome in this community gathering space. PRISM provides students with a space to create community, host discussions, and foster learning through educational and unique programming.

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MOSAIC Center

The center provides the RIT community with programming and educational opportunities, fosters an appreciation for diversity, and models a healthy campus climate and community through intergroup relations. Working as a community, the MOSAIC Center is more than just a home away from home, but a truly unique and transformative space on campus. Students can use the center as a presentation space, study space, place to hang out, or a place to relax and take a break between classes. 

Receptionist desk through the office door

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Resource Center

The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Resource Center provides advocacy, education, and celebration for RIT community members of all genders, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

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Division of Diversity and Inclusion

Collaboratively, the Division enhances access and success for historically underrepresented students, faculty and staff, along with supporting education and scholarship, in addition to ensuring a welcoming, inclusive, vibrant and accessible environment for everyone.

Learn more about the Division

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National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Home to the world's first and largest technological college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, NTID has revolutionized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students by providing education, access services, and experiences students need to pursue their goals and lead successful lives.

Learn more about NTID

Expanding Educational Access

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Access Services

The RIT community is home to a lively mix of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing people. The Department of Access Services (DAS) is dedicated to making the campus an inclusive environment by providing access to communication between signing and non-signing members of our community. DAS offers interpreting, real-time captioning, and notetaking for students and faculty in all of the colleges of RIT. In addition to academic settings, DAS provides interpreting and captioning for student clubs, organizations, entertainment, and athletics, as well as for faculty and staff meetings and trainings.

Students sitting with a dog

Disability Services Office

The Disability Services Office facilitates equitable access to the full RIT experience for students with disabilities. RIT values disability as diversity. The Disability Services Office collaborates with campus partners to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus community. All students who identify as having a permanent or temporary disability are encouraged to work with the office to coordinate access and accommodations. 

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ECCO Center

The ECCO Center —Engineers of Color Creating Opportunities—provides diversity initiatives and programs devoted to increasing the number of underrepresented African American, Latino American and Native American (AALANA) student engineers in the college. Supporting successful graduation rates, providing community service opportunities, and preparing these students for leadership roles within the engineering profession.

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International Student Services

International Student Services assists individuals from more than 100 countries. We advise students, faculty, clubs and departments on immigration, cultural, academic and personal matters. They work closely with Global Union, and several other international student clubs.

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Men of Color, Honor, and Ambition

MOCHA is a one-year program available for all male undergraduate students between their second and fifth years of study, with an emphasis on male students of color. It seeks to empower its members and develop their leadership and professional skills to improve academic success and prepare members to become successful leaders in their respective careers and communities.

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Multicultural Center for Academic Success

MCAS is dedicated to offering academic support to RIT’s AALANA (African American, Latino American, and Native American) student population. Students who engage with MCAS gain access to one-on-one coaching, leadership development opportunities, cultural diversity programs, and community building opportunities. 

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Native American Future Stewards Program

The Native American Future Stewards Program is committed to increasing the number and success rate of Native scholars (Native American, Alaska Native, and First Nations) in science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as other areas of need in indigenous communities. By partnering with students, Tribal nations, organizations, and corporations, the Future Stewards program aims to grant Native scholars the opportunity to develop professionally, personally, and culturally.

Balloon arch with RCS

Rochester City Scholars

The Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars program provides incoming RIT freshmen who live in the city of Rochester and have graduated from the Rochester City School District with an opportunity to have their RIT tuition fully covered. Before their studies, incoming freshmen who have been accepted into the program participate in a fully funded, on-campus enrichment program that starts the summer before their first year. City Scholars also participate in weekly one-on-one meetings with an advisor in the Multicultural Center for Academic Success and receive support, guidance, and access to a wide range of campus resources.

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Spectrum Support Program

The Spectrum Support Program is built to provide support for RIT students with autism spectrum disorders. Our staff is dedicated to assist students in achieving academic, social, and career success, and seeks to help them grow in areas such as self-care, self-advocacy, social connection, and more. Through training and consultation, we work to create a culture of acceptance across campus.

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Spirituality and Religious Life

Spirituality and Religious Life at RIT cultivates engaged and vibrant religious, secular, and spiritual communities on campus. This is a space for anyone and everyone who wants to explore existential questions about purpose, meaning, and value. There are eight major religious communities on campus.

Soldiers holding american flags

Veterans

RIT supports active duty military, veterans, and their dependents with the attention and services they deserve. Veterans and dependents can receive military benefits from a range of educational benefit programs. RIT’s Veteran’s Services Office connects service members and their families to resources, support, services, and more.

Group of women posing for a photo

Women of Color, Honor, and Ambition

WOCHA is a one-year program available for all female undergraduate students in their second to fifth years of study, with an emphasis on women of color. Its goals are to provide women with opportunities to build their leadership abilities and gain access to professional mentorship and networking opportunities.

Women at RIT

Collage of women

We empower RIT women to advance their remarkable talents by connecting them to a range of resources and services. Combine their passion, success, and courageous spirit and the Women at RIT foster a community of support, guidance, and mentorship.

Check out the talents and accomplishments of Women at RIT.

Scholarships

Diversity-related scholarships

Learn more about diversity based scholarships
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Investing in Community

With over 300 student clubs and organizations at RIT supporting over 13,000 on-campus and off-campus events, you are sure to stay busy at RIT. Learn more about our cultural clubs. There are five representative student organizations that advocate on behalf of diverse populations. 

Diversity and Inclusion News

More Diversity and Inclusion News

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Featured Events

Expressions of King's Legacy

Rainbow Graduation

Native American Heritage Month