Students on the Move | April 2024
Join us in congratulating Jaylon Taylor (College of Liberal Arts) and Sedrick Thomas (Saunders College of Business). Both were recently honored during RIT’s Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Awards in March. This ceremony highlights the top 1% of graduating students who have achieved academic excellence. They are also recognized for their commitment to professional engagement in their respective fields of study and for their commitment to community service.
Taylor is majoring in criminal justice. He plans to go into law enforcement after graduation and has his sights set on joining the FBI. He is focused and well prepared for this professional journey. In addition to his academic success, he works as a student research assistant at the Center for Public Safety Initiatives. He has gained valuable experience observing and working alongside crime analysts at the Monroe County Crime Analyst Center and with the Gun-involved Violence Elimination Initiative, part of New York state’s shooting and homicide reduction strategy. He believes in giving back, especially where young people are concerned. He works as a youth mentor for Black Men Achieve of Greater Rochester, and he also volunteers with his church community service projects.
Thomas, a management information systems major, will also speak at RIT’s upcoming graduation ceremonies. He has been named the Undergraduate College Delegate from Saunders College of Business and will deliver remarks at the Academic Convocation on Friday, May 10th at 10:00am, then later that day at Saunders College of Business Ceremony at 7pm. He was selected by his peers, faculty, and staff at Saunders because of his academic accomplishments, professional promise, integrity, and communication skills. He is a member of Men of Color, Honor and Ambition (MOCHA) Cohort #10, holds the titles of Director of Finance for the ALANA Collegiate Association and Vice President of RIT's Artificial Intelligence Club and is also a member of RIT's Guitar Ensemble. He also served last year as treasurer of the Black Awareness Coordinating Committee.
Upon his selection for this prestigious honor, he says, “I hold this honor in utmost regard. To be able to speak and spark inspiration in my peers on our special day is a dream come true! I grew up in Rochester and would go to Imagine RIT every year throughout my adolescence, which makes this honor even more significant. However, none of this would be possible without the support of my family and friends who were there for me every step of the way.”
Following graduation, Thomas is headed to Microsoft where he will work as a software engineer.
More good news to share! Abigail Reigner (Comanche), a mechanical engineering major, has accepted a position with NASA’s Glenn Research Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. In her new role, Abby will focus on advancing aerospace research and innovation. An added bonus: at NASA, she will have the privilege of working alongside distinguished aerospace engineer Dr. Joseph Connolly, a member of the Six Nations of the Grand River, whose contributions have significantly impacted the field. Ever since she arrived at RIT, Reigner has been an active member and leader in the Native American Future Stewards Program, as well as with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). She has received numerous honors, including DDI’s Student Beacon Award. She most recently led a team of RIT students at the First Nations High Power Rocket Launch competition in Wisconsin.