Sandra Whitmore Receives 2025 Legacy Award | May 2025
Sandra Whitmore, executive director for Marketing and Operations for the Division of Diversity and Inclusion (DDI), has been awarded the Albert J. Simone Legacy Award—a prestigious honor recognizing more than 25 years of exemplary service and transformative contributions to the university community.
Whitmore began her RIT journey in 1999 as a divisional secretary in the College of Liberal Arts. A few years later, she joined the President’s Commission on Pluralism and Inclusion, where her work laid the foundation for what would become the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. She played a key role in expanding the commission into an official division in 2009 and continues to help guide its strategic direction today.
“Building something from the ground up and seeing it thrive is one of the things I’m most proud of,” Whitmore said. “It’s been an honor to help shape RIT’s approach to diversity and inclusion.”
In her current role, Whitmore leads marketing, communications, human resources and operational strategies that center inclusion as a core university value. She helped drive the RIT Action Plan for Race and Ethnicity and created platforms like the DDI Newsletter, which won a 2023 PRism Award from the Public Relations Society of America, and the Difference Makers initiative, which celebrates individuals advancing equity and belonging across campus.
Whitmore’s impact also extends to RIT’s veteran community. She chaired the Veterans Day Breakfast Committee, establishing it as a meaningful annual event and securing donor support for scholarships benefiting student veterans. She also led the university’s Veteran Benefits re-certification process, ensuring RIT’s continued status as a military-friendly institution.
A champion of student success, Whitmore was one of the co-founders of the Women of Color, Honor and Ambition (WOCHA) program in 2015, providing mentorship, leadership development, and community for women of color at RIT. She also currently serves as an adjunct professor in RIT 365.
Beyond her programmatic work, Whitmore has contributed to numerous university committees, including the University Issues Response Team, Staff Council, University Staff Career Architectural Project (Advisory Board), Saunders College of Business Power Your Potential Conference and the Middle States Accreditation Working Group.
Receiving the Simone Legacy Award was particularly meaningful for Whitmore, who worked closely with Dr. Simone early in her career. The Albert J. Simone Legacy Award is named in honor of RIT’s 8th president and receiving it holds special meaning. Whitmore says, “Dr. Simone was the first RIT President that I had the privilege to work with. I can remember the hard times, fun times, and many meaningful conversations we had over the years. He was an amazing mentor to me, teaching me so much that I didn’t even realize at the time. Those are the best mentors because you don’t even know it’s happening. Then one day, you are in a situation where you are like, oh yes, that’s what Dr. Simone was saying. I’m beyond grateful, humbled and blessed to be recognized with this award that bears his name.”
Over the past 25 years, Whitmore’s leadership has helped make RIT a more inclusive, engaged, and student-centered institution. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence the campus community today.