Engagement and Student Success
Engagement and Student Success
Creating an inclusive workplace environment fosters innovation, enhances organizational reach, and attracts skilled professionals, ensuring sustainable growth and adaptability.
Attracting Students with Unique Perspectives
RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education works to connect students with co-op and full-time opportunities at organizations that value representation and foster a sense of belonging. Through close collaboration with on-campus STEM clubs and organizations, we will tailor a recruitment strategy that aligns with your objectives for creating a collaborative workforce.
Interested in connecting with exceptional candidates from varied backgrounds? Take advantage of our tailored recruitment programs:
- Attend the STEM Affinity Expo (fees apply)
- Access the Resume Book (no fees)
- Promote positions and information sessions to these groups via newsletter (no fees)
We are always happy to set up a phone/zoom conversation and discuss other options to address an employer’s hiring needs.
If you are interested in hiring RIT students, please contact the Assistant Director of Student Success Engagement Natasha House, at nmhoce@rit.edu.
STEM Affinity Expo
The STEM Affinity Expo brings together more than 20 of RIT’s special interest student groups and employers committed to recruiting students from varied backgrounds. Typically, the event lasts about two hours and allows students to talk with employers before the University-Wide Career Fair. Student groups set up tables and employers walk around and interact with students.
To add this event to your University-Wide Career Fair registration, please modify your registration in Career Connect or email ritcareerfair@rit.edu.
If you have questions regarding the STEM Affinity Expo or recruiting these talented students, please get in touch with Natasha House at nmhoce@rit.edu.
360
Students attended in fall 2024 and spring 2025 combined
64
Employers attended in fall 2024 and spring 2025 combined
29%
Of students who attended participated in Interview Day with an employer that also attended the reception
Affinity Groups and Organizations
One of the most effective ways to directly reach students is to get involved with student groups and organizations. RIT has more than 20 career-related affinity organizations including:
- ALANA Collegiate Association (ACA)
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
- Center for Engagement and Student Success (CESS)
- College of Science African, Latin, Asian, and Native American Student Group (COS ALANA)
- Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP)
- Computing Organization for Multicultural Students (COMS)
- Cultivating Inclusion in Technology (CIT)
- Engineers of Color Creating Opportunity (ECCO)
- Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
- Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
- McNair Scholars Program
- Men of Character, Honor and Ambition (M.O.C.H.A.)
- Multicultural Business Association (MBA)
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative (NHI)
- Self-Determined Critical Mass of Engineering Technology Scholar (SD-CoMETS)
- Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- Women in Business (WIB)
- Women in Computing (WiC at RIT)
- Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS @ RIT)
- Women in Engineering (WE@RIT)
- Women in Technology (WIT)
- Women of Character, Honor and Ambition (W.O.C.H.A.)
Recruit Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students
If you would like assistance recruiting deaf or hard-of-hearing students or alumni at RIT, you can work with the NTID Co-op and Career Center (NCCC) and learn more about its Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP).
Recruit Students with Disabilities
Career Services is dedicated to working closely with employers to effectively connect with this community. Interested in recruiting students with disabilities? Contact us at careerservices@rit.edu.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) encourages a broad definition of disability:
“A physical or mental impairment or medical condition that substantially limits a major life activity or if you have a history or record of such an impairment or medical condition.” This includes but is not limited to blindness, deafness, cancer, diabetes, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and asthma.
Hiring within the disability community can benefit the new hire and the organization as a whole.
- Increase organization retention
- Tax and incentive benefits
- Insight on a lucrative market
These benefits are also available to companies that hire people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Employees with ASD offer:
- High focus and reliability with tasks
- Strong analytical skills, accuracy, and attention to detail
- A diverse workplace that every employee can benefit from
If your organization is interested in recruiting students in this community, a support team is available. Career Services alongside the Spectrum Support Program can assist you in creating an inclusive work environment, including recruiting qualified candidates, hiring, training, and supporting employees with disabilities.
Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative was developed in partnership with Career Services to strengthen the graduation and employment outcomes of neurodiverse students. We connect our students with employers who are seeking to diversify their workforce.
Our team has provided trusted resources for employers relating to:
Student Clubs and Organizations Travel Grant
Student groups can apply for Career Services’ travel grant to attend national conferences (e.g. NSBE Annual Convention, SHPE National Convention). This grant is designed to support student organizations in gaining valuable experiences, networking opportunities, and professional development.
The grant may be used to cover conference registration, travel, accommodation, and meal expenses. Students who apply must be in good standing with the university and members of an RIT-recognized student club or organization to apply. Applications must be submitted at least two months before the conference registration deadline. Grants will be awarded based on the number of applications and available funds.
Upon returning from the conference, students must share photos and a brief story about the conference experience and its benefits. This can be done by emailing careerservices@rit.edu or tagging Career Services (@RITCareersCoop) in a post on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn. By sharing this content, students give RIT permission to use the provided information and photos for print and digital content, including web promotions and social media.
Summer Co-op or Experiential Learning Travel Grant
The Dean W. Crawford Travel Grant is designed to assist RIT students with travel expenses when relocating for a co-op, internship, research, or entrepreneurship position.
RIT students can apply for this one-time $500 travel grant. To apply, you must:
• Be an undergraduate or dual-degree student;
• Be in good academic standing;
• Have secured a co-op, internship, research, or entrepreneurship position;
• Have reported your experience to Career Services; and
• Apply before the start of your experiential learning.
Grants will be awarded based on the number of applications, available funds, and a committee review process. Applications are accepted between March 16-29, 2026, and the review process will be on a rolling basis. Applications will close once funding is dispersed. Limited funds are available. Applicants will be notified regarding their status in April.
About Dean W. Crawford
In 1964, Crawford ('64) completed a co-op with IBM in Owego, NY. The experience was instrumental in Crawford landing his first job after graduation, and ultimately set the stage for his successful career. By establishing this fund, Crawford wishes to help students by offsetting expenses incurred for geographic relocation as a result of their co-op/experiential learning.