Students on the Move |
HEOP and CSTEP Student Leaders Meet with State Lawmakers
It was a long day, but well worth it! Six RIT students met one-on-one with several New York State legislators last month. They were in Albany for Student Aid Advocacy Day and shared their own stories with personal examples of how student aid funding makes a difference for college students. They are Ana Paolini Carranoand Brooke Moran with the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), Tabitha Perry, Anthony Criollo and Deja Bonney with the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and RIT Student Government President Rafael Gilboa. In addition, two dozen HEOP students at RIT wrote testimonials in support of continued funding and those were delivered to lawmakers. Thanks to Lynette Baker with RIT’s Office of Government and Community Relations who traveled to Albany with the group.
And we have more student shout-outs to share!
He’s headed to Costa Rica! Nathaniel Kilbridge (Q’eqchi), was selected for Guatemala's National Team in lacrosse! He will be representing Guatemala at Sixes Lacrosse in San José this June. Kilbridge is a third-year psychology major, minoring in exercise science. He’s also a MOSAIC student worker and part of the Future Stewards Program. Congrats!
These students are demonstrating academic excellence, great leadership skills and a commitment to personal growth.
TasJohn Terry, a fifth-year electrical engineering student who is expected to graduate in May 2026, earned Dean’s List honors this semester. Terry currently serves as a Circuits Tutor and an undergraduate assistant for the College of Engineering and Technology (CET) Cares program. He is also a MOCHA graduate, an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and a member on the Electric Vehicle Team.
Lorenzo Graham and Sadie Rolle-Knox both took part in the AES summer program in 2024. Gena Willis, assistant director Affinity Programs and Leadership Development says, “They both have been committed and have consistently come in for coaching with me. They have had great accomplishments, and I believe they are great examples of what students can expect if they stay connected and committed.” Here are just a few highlights: Graham is a second-year student majoring in management information systems (MIS), with a minor in accounting and has made Dean’s List every semester. Graham just completed one internship with Wegmans and will begin a four-month internship in May with Global Foundries as a financial project management analyst. Graham represented RIT’s Financial Management Association (FMA) at the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Research competition with a team in Buffalo.
Rolle-Knox is a second-year film production major, who has assisted on more than 14 SOFA student sets wearing several different hats including assistant camera, hair/wardrobe/makeup, director of photography, art, producing, lighting, grip and teaching assistant for a production class. Rolle-Knox did a study abroad in Croatia and was an orientation leader for the incoming class of 2025. Rolle-Knox is also the drummer of the RIT band, BIRCH and part of the RIT CES choir, all the while maintaining a 4.0 GPA across all semesters.