AES Good News | September 2025
Talk about “hitting the ground running!” Most of you have already met or interacted with Hannah Bell, the new assistant director for Creative and Communications in the department of Marketing and Operations. With the start of a new academic year at RIT, Bell jumped right in and started on several projects upon joining the division July 28th. Previously, Bell worked as the content and communications specialist at CDS Life Transitions, managing social media accounts, marketing campaigns, event planning, photography, and much more. Bell is a graphic designer and a freelance artist, with a BFA in studio art from Houghton University.
We extend “another” warm welcome to Angela Owen, who joined us as HEOP's new senior staff assistant June 2nd. Many of us got a chance to greet her around that same time at the AES retreat held at the Tait Preserve. In Rochester, Angela has worked at Strong Memorial Hospital and the U of R Medical Center, and holds an MA in general experimental psychology, a BA in anthropology and psychology, and an AAS in administrative office technology.
Congratulations to Imani Baker! She has been with the division for several years, and June 2ND marked her debut as the new assistant director for Rochester City Scholars. Baker is passionate about providing student support. A graduate of Clark Atlanta University (CAU), she earned her degree in international business administration with a minor in Spanish. Before joining us at RIT, Baker worked at The Harley School and also coached the 2022 varsity volleyball team to the State Finals. She has some experience with that sport, having played for two years on the college level when she was at CAU.
Tina Chapman DaCosta, director of RIT Diversity Theater, presented a seminar at the Kingdom Bound Ministries Festival at Darien Lake in July. Using Diversity Theater’s award-winning film, Brick By Brick, which focuses on her own family history, Chapman DaCosta shared how others can use the power of storytelling to create compelling media for community building work.
Congrats to Alexandria Collins, assistant director for Engagement and Student Success, Center for Engagement and Student Success, has been selected to take part in the 2025 African American Leadership Development Program at United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. The program focuses on training and developing essential leadership skills so that participants can make impactful contributions in local community boards and organizations.
Nancy Dimock, assistant director for Faculty Recruitment, Office of Faculty Recruitment, attended the 2025 New York State AAPI Summit, hosted by the New York State Assembly and Senate Asian Pacific American Task Force in Albany. More than 700 participants, legislators, community leaders and AAPI advocates from across the state, came together for the two-day event. The summit offered a wide range of workshops and topics from reimagining health care and the healthcare delivery system to executive leadership in higher education. The summit provided opportunities to connect and collaborate, with space for dialogue and relationship building.