A Minett Professor Looks Back | April 2026
By Krystle Ellis, RIT Minett Professor
Serving as the 2025-2026 Minett Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology has been an extraordinary opportunity to expand learning beyond the classroom and create meaningful connections between students, community organizations, and global partners. During my time in this role, I focused on building pathways that allowed students to apply their knowledge in real world environments, strengthening leadership development, and advancing global collaboration. The work has ranged from mentoring and hiring RIT students, to leading professional development trainings, hosting community events on campus, participating in leadership panels, and designing a new global experiential learning program that connects RIT students with organizations across the world. While not every activity and collaboration can be captured in a single document, the highlights below represent several of the initiatives and contributions accomplished during my time as the Minett Professor.
Highlights from the Minett Professorship
Hiring RIT Students
Not only did I want to work with students during my time as the Minett Professor, but I also wanted to create opportunities to hire them and bring them into meaningful work where they could apply their knowledge in real-world settings. One of those opportunities came through the hiring of Kifekachukwu “Kiffy” Nwosu as a Girls Initiative Intern with the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley (WFGV). Kiffy is a third-year student at Rochester Institute of Technology pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, a powerful academic combination that bridges technology, critical thinking, and social awareness. Originally from Nigeria, Kiffy moved to the United States to pursue her college education and brings with her a global perspective that strengthens every space she enters. She is deeply interested in exploring how technology can be designed and applied in ways that are inclusive, ethical, and responsive to gender and social equity. Through her internship, Kiffy supports the work of the Girls Initiative, contributing to programs that empower young women to grow as leaders, innovators, and confident decision makers. Her passion for using technical skills to address social issues and amplify underrepresented voices aligns beautifully with the mission of the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley. Hiring students like Kiffy reflects the type of bridge building I hoped to create through this professorship. It allows students not only to learn inside the classroom, but also to step into professional environments where their ideas, talents, and perspectives can create meaningful community impact.
Women in Business Charity Gala
Chelsea Croce, a fourth-year year marketing student and president of the Women in Business Club, raised over $3,000 in support of the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley, an organization that I also lead. Our RIT student intern accepted the donation on our behalf, which made the moment even more meaningful. It was powerful to see students organizing philanthropic initiatives and supporting organizations that advocate for women and girls. This experience reinforced the importance of cultivating leadership and generosity in the next generation. I am proud to know that our work continues to inspire young women to become both leaders and philanthropists.
MOCHA & WOCHA Leadership Panel
I had the honor of participating in the MOCHA and WOCHA Leadership Panel, where I shared my leadership journey with students and reflected on what leadership looks like across different fields and life pathways. Panelists discussed when we first began to see ourselves as leaders, the challenges faced as leaders of color, and the importance of community, mentorship, and cultural grounding in sustaining leadership work. We also explored how leaders care for their wellbeing while carrying the emotional and intellectual responsibilities of leadership. The conversation concluded with each panelist sharing lessons and mindsets we hope students will carry with them as they develop their own leadership paths.
Galentine’s Event at the SHED
Girls ages 12 to 15 gathered on the RIT campus for a vibrant Galentine celebration hosted in the SHED, designed to give young girls an opportunity to connect, build confidence, and experience college life. Led by RIT student and Student Government leader Kiffy Nwosu, participants engaged in candle making, games, and meaningful conversations. Zoë Paris, the RIT College Advocate from RESTORE Sexual Assault Services, guided an important discussion on healthy boundaries and trusting one’s instincts. The afternoon encouraged girls to amplify their voices, stand up for themselves and others, and begin imagining their futures while experiencing the energy of campus life.
Saunders College of Business: Power Your Potential Women’s Conference
I served as the emcee for the Saunders College of Business Power Your Potential Women’s Conference, a half day leadership conference celebrating National Women’s History Month. The conference brought together business leaders from across the region to share insights, strategies, and experiences that support women’s professional growth. The event created a space for meaningful dialogue and education designed to help women succeed in leadership and business.
Leadership and Coaching Professional Development Session
I delivered a leadership development training for the Division of Access, Engagement, and Success, focused on understanding the difference between leading and coaching. Participants explored how leaders often provide direction and vision, while coaches create space for reflection and curiosity so others can discover their own solutions. The session encouraged participants to consider when to step forward with guidance and when to step back to empower others. During the training, participants also completed the Innovation Strengths Preference Indicator (ISPI), a self-assessment tool used to help individuals and organizations understand their innovative strengths and working styles. The ISPI is used across sectors including business, education, government, and even the United States military to support leadership development.
Loving Conflict: How to Enter Conflict with Curiosity
This workshop explored the reality that conflict can feel uncomfortable or intimidating, yet it is a natural part of every classroom, workplace, and relationship. Participants learned strategies for approaching difficult conversations with curiosity rather than fear, communicating with clarity and care, and navigating conflict in ways that strengthen relationships. By the end of the session, participants left with practical tools to provide thoughtful feedback and engage in conflict in ways that promote growth and deeper understanding. I also led an additional workshop entitled “ So, What’s Next for Me? How to Execute the Vision in Your Head.” There is still time to register for my final workshop, Is Entrepreneurship Really for Me? It is April 29th from 1:00 to 2:30pm in Eastman 4125. Click Here to register
Building a Program with Global Research and Mindset at the Center
My love for business, entrepreneurship, and the RIT College of Liberal Arts runs deep. It is home for me and always will be. At the beginning of my time as the Minett Professor, I made a promise to myself and to the students I serve. I committed to creating pathways that expand our already powerful global network and help students see the world as their classroom. If we want to prepare RIT students to become futurists, we must help them understand that the world is not distant from them. It is a space where they can collaborate, learn, and innovate alongside partners from every culture and industry. During my professorship, I designed, launched and now lead a global experiential learning program titled Global Leadership and Communication Beyond Borders. Through this program, RIT students will work directly with organizations based in Dubai, designing marketing and communication strategies tailored to their partner’s market. Their work will culminate in a Global Impact Pitch, where students present their ideas and solutions directly to international partners. This initiative became possible through the collaboration of remarkable leaders across RIT: Kelly Norris Martin, dean, College of Liberal Arts, Jillian M. Pandor, chair, Liberal Arts Department, assistant professor of English and Spanish, RIT Dubai, Jenny Sullivan, director of Education Abroad and International Fellowships, Lauren Hall, associate dean, College of Liberal Arts, Jessica Hardin, associate professor of Sociology and Anthropology, program director, Global Futures BS, Kari Cameron, program director, Advertising and Public Relations BS Degree and principal lecturer, and Julie Napieralski, principal lecturer, Public Relations.
These women are extraordinary intellectual leaders and global thinkers who understand the magnitude of what RIT represents on the world stage. They see the university not simply as a place of learning, but as a global engine for research, innovation, and leadership development. Their strategic thinking, creativity, and willingness to collaborate embody the very qualities that position RIT as a global leader in higher education.
Program Update: Although travel to Dubai was temporarily paused due to regional tensions, the initiative continues to move forward through virtual collaboration. During this time, I will continue delivering sessions on global leadership, discussing how societies support children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and hosting a virtual podcast conversation with President Yousef Al-Assaf of RIT Dubai.
Upcoming Events:
RIT Student Panel at the Power Her Forward Girls Conference on May 2. As part of the Power Her Forward Girls Conference, which brings middle and high school students together, we will host a panel featuring student leaders from RIT Who will share what it is like to step into adulthood, including lessons about independence, building healthy relationships and preparing for life beyond high school. Students from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf will also be represented on the panel to ensure that women of all abilities are visible in leadership spaces. Representation matters, and it is important that young girls see leaders who reflect the full diversity of our communities.