Events & Workshop

AdvanceRIT’s mission is to enable all RIT faculty, particularly women, to contribute their full potential, increase their representation and retention, and advance their careers. 

Advance RIT is open to all faculty, regardless of gender.

AdvanceRIT started as an ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant from the National Science Foundation (Grant No. 1209115) and the office was institutionalized in 2019. 

AdvanceRIT plays an instrumental role in:

  • Connecting and engaging women faculty in the RIT community.
  • Providing opportunities for professional and leadership development for women faculty.
  • Supporting efforts for recruiting a diverse faculty critical for achieving excellence in scholarship, teaching, and service.
  • Partnering with affiliated groups, departments, and colleges to support their efforts and bring positive change to RIT.
  • Improving the quality of women faculty’s work life.
  • Ensuring RIT is a place where all faculty are supported, valued, and respected.

Learn more

AdvanceRIT Podcast: Faculty Spotlight-Trailblazing Women at RIT

Welcome to the AdvanceRIT podcast series: Faculty Spotlight-Trailblazing Women at RIT, the podcast that takes you inside the remarkable journeys of some of the most accomplished women at Rochester Institute of Technology. Here at the forefront of research, innovation, and education, these trailblazers are shaping the future with their expertise, resilience, and dedication.

Each episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at their inspiring careers, groundbreaking contributions, and the impact they’ve made in their fields and communities. Join us as we explore their stories, celebrate their achievements, and uncover what it truly means to be a leader in academia."

  • Dr. Amanda Bao's image

    Season 1: Episode 5

    Dr. Amanda Bao is a Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). With a background as a bridge structural engineer, she brings valuable real-world experience into her teaching. Dr. Bao is a leader in engineering education, recognized with RIT’s Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching and selected for the 2024–25 ELatis program for women in STEM leadership. View More about Season 1: Episode 5
  • Shanti Thakur's image

    Season 1: Episode 4

    Professor Shanti Thakur is the Director of RIT School of Film and Animation and is an award-winning filmmaker recognized for visually lush fiction and documentary films that span a landscape of subjects from science fiction to restorative justice. Professor Thakur's films have been screened at more than 200 film festivals and museums, including the Khan Film Festival, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Montreal World film festival, garnering 36 awards. Her films have been broadcast in 23 countries. View More about Season 1: Episode 4
  • , Professor, School of Interactive Games and Media, Golisano College of Computing and Information Services.

    Season 1: Episode 3

    Dr. Navarro is an internationally recognized leader in hybrid dynamical and cyber-physical systems, with expertise in computational neuroscience, neuro-inspired computing, data science, and collective intelligence. She brings a unique perspective as a "scientist-artist," blending philosophy, arts, and music into her scientific endeavors. View More about Season 1: Episode 3
  • Short discription of an image used by screen readers

    Season 1: Episode 2

    Dr. Margaret Bailey is a distinguished engineering faculty known for her pioneering work on gender equity on campus. View More about Season 1: Episode 2
  • Portrait of Dr. Lea Michel, a professor at RIT, featured in the 'Faculty Spotlight: Trailblazing Women at RIT' podcast series by AdvanceRIT. The image includes text: 'Season 1: Episode 1, Dr. Lea Michel, Professor, School of Chemistry and Materials Science & Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, College of Science, Rochester Institute of Technology.' There is also a microphone icon and RIT and AdvanceRIT branding in the upper section.

    Season 1: Episode1

    In the first episode, we spotlight an amazing faculty member who not only excels in scientific research but is also a phenomenal mentor and leader in fostering an inclusive and supportive lab environment. View More about Season 1: Episode1
  • Dr. David Munson, President of Rochester Institute of Technology, featured in a special edition titled 'Trailblazing Women at RIT' by the Office of the Provost and AdvanceRIT, with a microphone icon in the design.

    Inaugural Message

    In our inaugural episode, RIT President Dr. David Munson shares his vision for gender equality on campus. Learn about RIT’s initiatives to support women students and faculty, and the bold new plans for the President’s Commission on Women. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on the future of inclusivity at RIT! View More about Inaugural Message
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$425.3K

in Connect Grants. Connect grants support faculty networking, research, professional development and community building efforts.

900+

More than 900 faculty, staff and students have participated in professional development workshops and events led by AdvanceRIT.

66.7%

of RIT’s deans are women (6 out of 9).

14

Number of years since RIT first received an NSF ADVANCE grant. In 2008, RIT received an NSF Advance Catalyst award. An Institutional Transformation award was received in 2012.

RIT women faculty in the news

More Stories

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