RIT Graduate Showcase puts students in the spotlight April 10

Lia Grammer and Julia Carreras found that juggling the logistics of a major student conference in the middle of a busy academic season is proving to be both exciting and challenging. The fourth-year students in RIT’s packaging science program volunteered to be co-chairs of Packaging Jamboree, the national event that will bring nearly 200 university students, faculty, and regional packaging professionals to campus. It meant coordinating site logistics, workshop presentations, and determining professional and social activities that were in line with the evolving packaging industry. Their academic year has been a mix of challenging coursework, recognition for scholarship and sports, and interesting co-ops that resulted in job offers. “It’s important for students like us to put together a conference like this to gain skills in planning huge events, because in the future you might be tasked to do that,” said Carreras, who is from Lexington, Mass. “I think Lia and I have networked tremendously with so many companies, we made great connections getting sponsors, and we are getting good at communications.” Grammer agreed: “At first, we thought we had to do all this planning ourselves, and we’ve both learned a lot about time management. To balance this on top of academics and coursework is a lot. But that’s how it will be when you are in the workplace.” An interest in technology and design brought both students to RIT, and they found the packaging science program provided a broad range of skills in areas from engineering and material science to product development and utilizing technical and design skills for multiple industries. “I feel like the packaging community is small and tight knit, so just having the chance to make connections while we are in school is important,” said Grammer, who is from Montgomery, N.Y. “With co-ops, I was able to meet other packaging students from other universities. Being able to have this opportunity for first and second-year students through this conference is key for us because we might be working with some of them as co-workers or managers.” Both have been organizing the event, managing seven committee members, and completing co-ops and projects for their last year at RIT. Outside of RIT, Grammer is an Eagle Scout (2021) and the volunteer social media coordinator of the student chapter of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP). She was recently named an Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar, an annual award given to the top one percent of RIT students for academic excellence and contributions to the community. In the fall, Grammer was awarded a PepsiCo academic scholarship and completed a co-op with the company. She will return to PepsiCo as a full time R & D associate engineer at its Valhalla, N.Y., site, supporting the packaging brand stewardship team. She begins June 30. Carreras has had similar success. She was a Liberty League All-Academic selection as a midfielder for women’s lacrosse. She sings with Encore, one of RIT’s talented a capella groups, and she received an IOPP Tejas chapter scholarship. Carreras was recently designated the packaging science department delegate for this year’s graduation ceremony, an honor given to recognize scholarship, community activities and contributions to the department and peers. “I just got an offer from Whelen Engineering,” said Carreras. The company manufactures audio and visual warning equipment for first responder vehicles and aviation. “I’m going to be the first packaging engineer in the company. I will be able to bring all my packaging knowledge to the table. I’m incredibly excited, and this really puts a bow on all I’ve worked for.” The 2025 Packaging Jamboree is taking place April 11-13 at RIT. An annual student conference, speakers and workshop topics will highlight the latest trends in the packaging industry. RIT last hosted the event in 2017.

Corinna Hill didn’t expect to become a college professor, let alone one honored with a prestigious teaching award. But, this year Hill, an assistant professor in NTID’s Department of Liberal Studies, has earned RIT’s Richard and Virginia Eisenhart Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award is presented to instructors with less than three years as full-time tenure-track faculty members. A historian by training with a doctoral degree from University of Rochester, Hill began her professional career planning to work in museums, curating exhibits and uncovering forgotten narratives as a specialist in 19th- and 20th-century Deaf and disability history. However, an unexpected opportunity to teach at NTID changed her trajectory. “I told myself 10 years ago, ‘I’m not living in Rochester. No, thank you,’” said the Texas native. “And yet, here I am. It’s the students and community. They’re the reason I stayed.” Hill’s expertise examines access to language, technology, medicine, and social relationships, and how these forces have shaped the lives of Deaf individuals over time. But, what seems to set her apart is how she brings history to life in the classroom—through interactive discussions, humor, and real-world relevance. “I tell my students that history isn’t just about memorizing dates and names,” she explains. “It’s about understanding people’s lived experiences, their stories, and how these stories still impact us today.” Hill’s classes are typically filled with students from a variety of majors, as well as deaf, hard-of- hearing, and hearing students. Her approach to teaching is centered around embracing the diversity of her students, their skillsets and perspectives, and expectations and accountability. At the start of every semester, she shares a list with her students: what she expects of them, and what they can expect from her. “Teaching is a two-way street. They should expect me to actively show up, to be available during office hours, to be current on research, and to challenge them. And I expect them to give me their best efforts in return.” Her classroom lectures are anything but traditional. There are “meme challenges” where students create humorous, insightful content tied to Deaf history, and interactive debates and deep dives into historical events. “Many of my students, even those who are deaf or hard of hearing, have never learned about Deaf history. I want them to understand how rich it is—and how relevant it is to them.” Hill sees her courses as an opportunity for reflection for her hearing students, as well. “I want them to realize they play a role in Deaf history, too. Their perspectives on language and power dynamics matter—and can either help or hinder progress.” As a deaf historian, Hill once hesitated to focus her research on Deaf history, not wanting to be seen as a “token” representative. But as she further explored the field, her sense of purpose grew. “There are so many untold stories, so many misinterpreted narratives. I realized that if I want to change that, I have to be part of the effort to tell them.” Looking ahead, Hill hopes to continue developing in her teaching role while providing ways to expand research opportunities for students. “I want to challenge them, inspire them—and encourage them to have lots of fun while doing it, too.”

Anyone familiar with Nancy Valentage knows that when professional kudos come her way—such as a coveted RIT teaching award and a heartfelt retirement farewell—she will humbly accept the attention with gratitude and redirect the spotlight. Valentage, associate director and professor in RIT’s physician assistant program has won an Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching for her commitment to student success. The recognition is bittersweet for Valentage, who is retiring after 31 years at RIT. “I love teaching,” Valentage said. “PA students are such a passionate group. They know this is going to be their life’s work and they are very serious. It’s been a gift to interact with them.” From behind the scenes, Valentage has played a pivotal role in the development and continued success of RIT’s physician assistant BS/MS program. She joined RIT in 1994 to create the program with colleague Heidi Miller. Their first class graduated in 1996 with 17 students. Since then, Valentage has seen more than 860 PA students graduate. As professional requirements of the field changed, Valentage and Miller added graduate curriculum and, in 2014, welcomed the first cohort of BS/MS students. The colleagues also introduced the symbolic white coat ceremony in which the PA faculty welcome graduating students into the profession. A career in academia presented itself to Valentage, and she has been grateful for the opportunity to learn from her students and grow professionally. RIT recruited Valentage from the former Genesee Hospital. Her supervising physician had trained her to teach dental and medical residents how to collect patients’ medical histories and conduct physical exams. She continued to practice her profession for many years into her new role. During her tenure at RIT, Valentage earned her MS in health systems management (formerly known as health systems administration) in 1998 and completed a critical care fellowship at Unity Hospital in 2007. Both experiences broadened her knowledge of the healthcare industry and gave her new clinical skills to share with her students. “I was able to talk to students about the business of healthcare and bring back new technical skills and procedures to the classroom,” she said. The opportunity to design the PA teaching lab and classroom in the Clinical Health Sciences building is another proud achievement for Valentage. “I carefully researched what would be upcoming and new, and our facility is still state of the art,” she said. “We have individual bays for teaching, and the ability for students to record their practice sessions. And we have a simulation lab.” Valentage lobbied for the digital anatomy table that the College of Health Sciences and Technology purchased this fall because “technological tools give our students a competitive edge.” Another advantage, she said, is RIT’s five-year BS/MS program. “RIT is only a handful of schools across the country that take students directly from high school.” Valentage is proud of the PA education RIT offers students and the network of clinical partners she and Miller have cultivated during the last three decades. She enjoys the opportunity to pair alumni working in the region with students gaining clinical experience during their fifth year. It strengthens the professional community among RIT’s physician assistant alumni. Becoming a physician assistant can be a great career for people who want to be change-makers, Valentage said. During retirement, she looks forward to volunteering, traveling, spending time with family friends, and practicing her new hobby—fly-fishing. Valentage’s father taught her to fish, but this method poses a new challenge for her to explore. “I started fly fishing about two years ago, and I consider myself a novice,” she said. “I simply love the serenity of being out in nature, even if I don’t catch as many fish as I do with the other methods. Fly-fishing is an art for sure.” Locally, Valentage fishes in Oatka Creek and in the Ausable River when she is in the Adirondacks. Her retirement plans include fly-fishing in Montana and surf fishing in the Florida Keys.

Educators had a big influence throughout Lea Michel’s educational journey, and now she is being recognized for her impact with the 2025 Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching. Michel, a professor in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science, said she was happy and grateful upon hearing she was selected for the award, adding, “Teaching has always been important to me, so to be recognized for teaching is really exciting.” While attending an all-girls high school in Rochester, Michel credits encouraging teachers, especially in STEM, who taught her that women could do anything. The school brought in speakers with careers in science and engineering to inspire students. That influence led Michel to major in physics and math at Colgate University. While studying abroad in Wales, her professor, who was a neuroscientist, suggested she look into biophysics to continue her academic career. Michel said she trusted his insight and then applied to Ph.D. programs, eventually enrolling at the University of Rochester in biophysics. It was there in her favorite professor’s chemistry lab that she pivoted into biochemistry. One day, her adviser was traveling for a conference and tasked Michel with subbing for her class full of 250 students in a large lecture hall. Nervous but exhilarated, Michel taught her first class. In attendance that day was another professor she worked with. He congratulated her afterward and told her teaching was something she could do. “Being in front of people, talking about science, it always felt very natural,” said Michel. “It was my favorite part of science. I wanted to be with students and become a professor.” At RIT, along with teaching classes, running a lab, and being on various committees, Michel was named the College of Science’s first director of diversity, equity, and inclusion in 2022. She credits strong women mentors for making a huge difference when she was a physics major, where nearly all of the professors were men. “When I pick people to join my lab, I pick all different types of students because I know that research isn’t just about being smart,” said Michel. “It’s about perseverance and determination. You’ve got to really want to do the work, and that is reflected in the person themselves.” Just like trial and error happens in the lab, Michel has learned that teaching is also a learning process. “None of us were taught to be professors,” said Michel. “Professors were taught to be scientists. It takes a lot of effort and practice. Just like we work at our science, we have to work at our teaching.”

RIT honored the service and dedication of its employees with the Presidential Awards for Outstanding Staff ceremony on April 2. The annual awards are presented to staff members who exemplify outstanding service and dedication to the university and who exhibit a high degree of personal ethics and integrity, while consistently demonstrating a strong commitment to student success. The Rising Star Award ‌ Jade Laplante The Rising Star Award recognizes a staff member with three years or fewer of service to the university who presents progressive examples of high-quality service; has demonstrated a willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues and university constituents; and shows imagination, creativity, and innovation, which embody the RIT spirit. This year’s recipient is Jade Laplante, residence coordinator, Center for Residence Life.   According to their nomination, Laplante was instrumental in creating an online training for full-time staff and student employees of Residence Life. They also developed a complementary, asynchronous professional staff onboarding platform. Laplante is said to put students first in everything they do, consistently going above and beyond to support students, exemplifying what it means to be student centered. Their ability to build authentic relationships, paired with their openness and willingness to listen, has been instrumental in helping students navigate the complexities of college life. Excellence Awards Excellence Awards recognize staff members who excel in their duties, promote teamwork, and inspire excellence in others. This includes individuals who have demonstrated an innovative approach to their jobs, and fostered collaboration, communication, and cooperation among colleagues and university constituents, and teams that have impacted the university in an exceptional way through exemplary service, ongoing innovation, and/or creation of best practices. The Excellence Awards winners are: ‌ Elizabeth Lamark Center for Teaching and Learning’s Classroom Technology Support Team with President David Munson Center for Teaching and Learning’s Classroom Technology Support Team: Ian Webber, director, Academic Technology and Operations; Joseph Serio, supervisor of Classroom Technology Operations; John Schrenker, manager, Classroom Technology and AV Systems; Matthew Nicosia, AV Systems Engineer and Programmer; and Tyler Brant, AV Systems Engineer. According to the nomination, the team has gone above and beyond in enhancing classroom technology infrastructure on campus. Between 2022 and 2024, the team has upgraded over 60 classrooms with technologies that have impacted key spaces including the SHED, RIT Libraries, and Saunders College of Business. The team regularly shares best practices and fosters professional development, ensuring that all members are aligned in their goals and growth. Their collective effort not only resolved immediate issues but also laid the foundation for future improvements. They’ve worked to create accessible learning environments by developing specialized audio systems, improving classroom interfaces, and formalizing project management processes. By offering exceptional support for classroom technology, they enable students to fully utilize available features, enhancing their learning experiences. ‌ Elizabeth Lamark ITS Network Team with President David Munson ITS Network Team: Andrew Elble, enterprise architect; Arthur Miller, engineering manager; and network engineers Alex Polge, Jim Shanks, Joshua Winterkorn, Kevin Schoenfeld, Robert Heine, Ronald Soriano Cabrera, Tony Lam, and Valerie Slujalkovsky Torchio. The team has made significant impacts on advancing RIT’s strategic goals by enhancing the student experience and supporting academic excellence through campus infrastructure. An example of their contributions is the resolution of AV and network challenges in the SHED and Wallace Library renovation projects. The team met daily with vendors, contractors, and RIT staff over the course of several months to address design issues, conduct thorough tests, and refine system configurations until the AV systems met users’ needs. Their commitment to resolving issues was closely aligned with the university’s goals of enhancing digital learning spaces, promoting academic excellence, and enhancing student engagement while remaining dedicated to continuous improvement, service excellence, and innovation. ‌ Melanie Green Melanie Green, marketing director, College of Science. Green has reimagined how the College of Science connects with students by introducing data-driven email strategies that increased engagement and ensured students received the information most relevant to their academic and professional growth. She not only analyzed trends—she acted on them, making meaningful adjustments that resulted in higher participation in events, improved resource utilization, and an overall stronger student experience. One of Green’s most impactful initiatives is the Roar and Soar campaign, where she developed a communications campaign to help first-year students in the College of Science better understand what is expected of them, the resources available to help them, and the ways in which they can become part of the RIT community. One nominator said, “Her influence at RIT is evident in the enthusiasm and buy-in she generates—from faculty willing to volunteer on weekends for open houses to student club leaders organizing their events more strategically for better outreach. She doesn’t just create programs; she builds momentum for lasting change.” ‌ Sam Jeffries Sam Jeffries, associate director of Student Case Management, Student Affairs’ Case Management and Health Promotion Office. Jeffries is known as an advocate, compassionate leader, and champion for student success. She supports some of RIT’s most vulnerable students—those facing crises, uncertainty, and barriers to success. With her down-to-earth approach and direct yet compassionate style, she builds trust, fosters open communication, and provides clear, honest guidance. She works tirelessly behind the scenes, focusing on finding solutions and making an impact. Whether she’s serving as a Student Conduct Advocate, leading difficult conversations, or training colleagues on best practices, she does so with humility, dedication, and an unshakable commitment to student well-being. The Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Staff Pluralism Award ‌ Tina Chapman DaCosta The Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Staff Pluralism Award recognizes and affirms RIT’s collective aspiration toward a community that celebrates differences and allows individuals to develop to their fullest potential. This year’s recipient is Tina Chapman DaCosta, director of Diversity Theatre, Division of Diversity and Inclusion. As founder of Diversity Theatre, Chapman DaCosta has an innate need to foster the growth of all individuals regardless of background, encouraging everyone to love themselves, love their neighbors, and love the world we live in. According to her nomination, “She is a talented storyteller and filmmaker who remains actively engaged with communities beyond campus, helping to strengthen understanding and appreciation for pluralism and diversity.” The nomination continues, “Whether bringing people together as cast and crew, partnering with organizations, or being featured at various symposiums, conferences, and film festivals, DaCosta is creating a powerful legacy as a champion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.” The Dancy Duffus Award for Outstanding Citizenship ‌ Marc Goldman The Dancy Duffus Award for Outstanding Citizenship within the RIT Community recognizes a staff member who is an independent thinker and activist who embodies the utmost integrity and who consistently shows imagination, creativity, and innovation, as well as a deep commitment to RIT. This year’s award is presented to Marc Goldman, Jewish Student Life Engagement Coordinator, Center for Campus Life. Through Goldman’s leadership, RIT Hillel has become an example of what student organizations can be—welcoming, culturally rich, and spiritually supportive. He is the go-to resource for all matters related to Jewish life on campus, addressing everything from accommodations to community advocacy. His ability to collaborate with departments, staff, faculty, and students ensures that Jewish students feel supported, safe, and valued. Goldman’s unique ability to listen, engage, and bring students, staff, faculty, and community members together fosters meaningful partnerships and innovative solutions. His collaborative spirit and commitment to building a strong community have transformed Jewish Student Life and enriched the broader campus. The Albert J. Simone Legacy Award ‌ Sandra Woodruff Whitmore The Albert J. Simone Legacy Award recognizes a staff member whose long-term body of work is exemplary and who has contributed significantly to RIT for 25 years or more.  This year’s recipient is Sandra Woodruff Whitmore, executive director for Marketing and Operations, Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Woodruff Whitmore has helped shape the Division of Diversity and Inclusion into a hub of cultural awareness, mentorship, and community engagement. Her leadership and commitment have left an enduring impact, ensuring that every member of the RIT community feels valued and supported. She has forged strong connections between the university and the broader community, and students, faculty, staff, and alumni have benefited from her mentorship, advocacy, and dedication to fostering open dialogue on diversity and inclusion. Additionally, she helped present the RIT Action Plan for Race and Ethnicity, ensuring accountability and visibility in the university’s commitment to diversity. Her ability to navigate complexity, unite people, and inspire action has made her an invaluable leader. She not only leads but empowers others to lead, ensuring her legacy continues for generations. More information on the awards is available on RIT Staff Council website.

One of seven a cappella groups at RIT, Kaminari and its 13 members aim to show how music transcends language and helps people discover and enjoy music they might not have explored on their own. Kaminari, which means “thunder” in Japanese, is holding their 10th anniversary concert at 7 p.m. April 13 in Ingle Auditorium. Wadaiko, a Japanese taiko drumming group, and a small ensemble from the RIT Game Symphony Orchestra will also give performances. Admission is free and open to all. “I understand very little of the literal meaning of our lyrics, but I do understand the meaning of all our songs,” says Kaminari President Aemilia Blais, a fourth-year computer science major from Smithfield, R.I. “If you only listen to music in English, you’re missing out on so many amazing songs. I hope that Kaminari is able to show people some great songs that they might not have heard before and encourage them to step outside their musical comfort zones.” Some Kaminari members over the years have been of Japanese heritage, but the vast majority have not been. Several current members are studying Japanese through RIT classes or other programs. One member knows Japanese and helps others learn the meaning of their songs. “This is super important for us because if the audience can’t understand the exact words we are saying, we still want them to be able to experience the feeling and meaning within the songs,” Blais said. “So to convey this meaning, we as the performers need to be able to understand it ourselves.” She says the group works hard to find places to add choreography, dynamics, or other forms of emphasis within their arrangements to show the audience the meaning behind the songs so they can feel the music without necessarily understanding every word. Blais uses color-coded documents with syllables to memorize and practice by listening to the original song. “Learning music for Kaminari is not that different from learning music for an a cappella group that sings in English,” she said. “If you think about it, in most a cappella arrangements, the majority of the group isn’t singing words all the time. Instead, they’ll be singing syllables like ‘ooh,’ ‘da,’ and, ‘ah,’ which we do too. The only difference is that when there are words, ours are in Japanese.” Kaminari this year made its second appearance in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella and plans to perform at the Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival at 11:45 a.m. on April 27.