Student Life

The College of Liberal Arts community shares the love to all new and incoming students. In my department especially, everyday feels like a Friday!

Faculty and staff are always welcoming and entertaining. No matter what, they will be there when needed. My favorite part of the criminal justice program is the effort put in for events. They're always fun but also provide great learning experiences. Being a Peer Mentor is great; it's provided me the opportunity to form so many connections with my peers and the faculty, which is a great part of the college experience.

What stood out most to me as a new student was just how close-knit the department was.  This is personally the most beneficial aspect of being a COLA student at RIT.  It is very easy to see how much the faculty cares about student success.  While new to the department, it was evident that working on research as an undergraduate student was not only possible but encouraged.  In spring semester of my first year at RIT, I took Environmental Economics with Professor Wagner.  Though at first simply an elective, this class quickly and unexpectedly became a passion for which I now use as the basis for my capstone.  My time at RIT and development as a student is largely shaped by my progress in the program, and I am fortunate to have found a home within the economics department.

Other activities: Business Manager for the Reporter Magazine

Considering that I am interested in pursuing research, it was awesome to learn how to write up APA styled papers and collaborate with my colleagues despite frustrations that popped up along the way. I also became more comfortable when speaking to a large crowd because of the required oral presentation. Usually, I am an outgoing person, but this class allowed me to present on something that I was really proud of and wanted to share with the rest of the class. I also used the paper that I wrote up as a writing sample which has been beneficial so far.

Additional activities, clubs, or organizations:  Student Government, the Center for Campus Life, the COLA Student Advisory Board, and Supplemental Instruction

I switched into the Public Policy program in my second semester and soon after added my double major of Political Science.  Being a part of the Public Policy program has helped me with my versatile skills of deliberation, debate and analysis, as well as leadership, teamwork and problem solving. The classes I have taken in this program range from the discussion of Supreme Court cases throughout history to the development of policies to promote renewable energy utilization. Not only are these classes incredible, but the faculty and staff are even more so. The Public Policy faculty is always willing to help out with new ideas to make the program even greater than it already is, and they are very accessible to students at all times with academic and personal advice. The department is very close-knit and it’s such a wonderful community to be a part of.

I also studied abroad this past summer at the RIT Kosovo campus. There I took courses in Statebuilding and countering violence extremism, which both counted for my degree as well as helped me get a better grasp on where I was headed in my studies. The political science department is a home away from home with many diverse ideas, characters, and strong academics.

Involvement: DJ at WITR 89.7, Political Science Club, Global Ambassador, College Democrats.