Community and Education

Taj Smith
Executive Director for Community and Education

585-475-2224
tpsddi@rit.edu

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Community and Education team facilitates and partners with others on campus to offer cultural and intercultural engagement opportunities that lead to well-being, interconnectedness and curiosity at RIT.

Our events and programs shape:

Self Awareness: the ability to know the elements of your identity, culture, values and how these traits and beliefs create your character and influence your relation to others.
Self Management: the ability to thoughtfully adapt or regulate your communication and actions to minimize a negative impact on those around you.
Social Awareness: the practice of asking yourself and learning about the experiences and needs of others. This ongoing practice helps us develop empathy and realize a value of respect.
Responsible Decision Making: the ability to make informed choices about personal behaviors and to be able to effectively navigate the differences you will be exposed to while at RIT.
Relationship Skills: the ability to consider others in the community. It is to know how to prevent and address moments of conflict all while maintaining meaningful and authentic relationships.

5,870

employee, student and community member touchpoints

669

employees have completed the Cultural Humility Certification

Programs

This program offers a group of participants a practice opportunity to learn how to dialogue rather than debate. Debate is often focused on winning. Dialogue focuses on how we can effectively communicate our ideas, make connections and demonstrate empathy.

Circles is a 5-week sustained dialogue experience. Participants in each circle must commit to attending the once a week one-hour session. Each circle is limited to a max of 15 people.

Fall 2025 offerings are:

Getting ready! New realities and new systems (Mondays, 3pm - 4pm)
How do we build solidarity in this moment? (Thursdays, 12pm - 1pm)

A special edition of Breaking Bread will be offered occasionally. The purpose is to respond to current social issues. It will be a one-time experience and open to more members of the RIT community. The format will use a wide-range of communication strategies including a Socratic Circle method.

Fall 2025 topics are:

What is a culture of well-being? (September 29, 2:30pm - 4pm, SAU 1510)
Is technology ruining our lives? (November 17, 2:30pm - 4pm, SAU 1510)

The Co-Lab is short for the Community Laboratory. It is an intentional effort to create a greater sense of community within the residence halls. We partner with residential advisors to offer 45-minute to an hour experience using activities or facilitating conversations. Students will acquire knowledge and practice skills to live, learn and socialize in diverse communities. If interested in bringing us to your residence, reach out to Aubrey Hillman at axhddi@rit.edu.

Cultural humility is a life-long self-examination and accountability process. It helps people think critically about their own assumptions, beliefs, biases, and values in order to address historical and current inequalities and polarizing relationships. While uncomfortable learning moments will arise, this process is designed to create humble, thoughtful and emotionally intelligent people rather than experts who never make mistakes.

This certificate is only available to faculty, staff and interested graduate students. Each participant must complete six workshops. Four are considered core requirements. The fourth core does change annually. The remaining two workshops are electives. Participants can choose the electives that they are most interested in.

Join us the First Friday of each month in MOSAIC for fun and community building! Follow us on Instagram @rit_mosaic to check out what will be happening.

We celebrate U.S. and global history by recognizing the unique cultural practices, contributions and talents of specific populations that are often less known in our society.

Hispanic/Latine Heritage – Mid-September – Mid-October
Native/Indigenous Heritage – November
Black Heritage – February
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage – April

Other groups’ histories and heritage are represented in academic courses, events hosted by the Center for Campus Life and some student organizations. While we should celebrate all heritages all the time, it is strategic to highlight at specific points in an academic year to maximize focus and attendance.

We also plan a week of programming to acknowledge the unique journey of students who are first in their families to attend and eventually graduate from college.

A voluntary opportunity to learn tips that minimize bias and create a welcoming atmosphere by using effective practices throughout the hiring process. Register via Talent Roadmap.

Faculty, teaching staff and graduate students interested in teaching will learn about and discuss best practices for creating an inclusive learning environment for a diverse student population.

We plan and deliver annual campus-wide events such as Let Freedom Ring, Expressions of King’s Legacy and Together RIT.

A space for men to ask questions and be in conversation. Open to all students, staff and faculty, regardless of gender. Sign up here

We work with various academic and staff support departments to teach courses or to plan off-campus opportunities for students.

Courses
- Intergroup Dialogue
- Men, Males and Masculinities
Events and Programs
- Into the Roc – People’s Track
- Museum Studies and University Gallery Exhibits
- New Student Orientation