Class of 2026

Congratulations to the newest graduates from the RIT Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences! As the Class of 2026 gets set to make its innovative mark on the world, we celebrate its ingenuity and countless accomplishments. Below, you can find information and photos from our ceremonies and receptions, as well as recaps of year-end highlights and stories.

1300+

Estimated total degrees to be conferred in 2026 across the College of Computing

List of Graduates

855

Estimated number of undergraduate candidates

510

Estimated number of graduate candidates

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Our college is truly fortunate to have many outstanding students. Take pride in all that you’ve accomplished! This year’s graduating class will impact society in ways we can only begin to imagine. I’m excited for you to join the ranks of our many graduates from the College of Computing. You are graduating at an exciting time, and I cannot wait to see how you will change the world - go Tigers!

Matt Huenerfauth

Dean, Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

585-475-7203

matt.huenerfauth@rit.edu

College Delegates

Charles Coleman Jr.
(undergraduate)

Charles Coleman Jr. is graduating magna cum laude with a BS in computing and information technologies after previously earning his AAS in applied computer technology. His dedication and work ethic are reflected in consistent Dean’s List recognition throughout his undergraduate studies. As a Deaf technologist, his personal journey with ASL has forged a strong commitment to utilizing technology to advance inclusion. Charles has contributed significantly to NTID’s instructional technology and accessibility efforts, supporting the institute’s transition to online learning and contributing to the development of the Inclusive Course Design certificate program. Currently serving as an Instructional Technology Coordinator, he bridges technical expertise with user support. After graduation, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in human-computer interaction to further advance the field of accessible and user-centered design.

Jaden Wedner
(graduate)

Jaden is a graduate of Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington, N.Y. He is a cybersecurity major and an accelerated scholar. As Windows lead for RIT’s collegiate penetration testing competition team, Jaden promotes offensive security education and mentorship. He volunteers for RITSEC, the largest cybersecurity club at the university, and assists with the setup of competitions that bring together teams from across the nation. He has also volunteered for the Department of Energy CyberForce Competition’s Red Team, working to breach the systems of collegiate blue teams. During his 2025 internship at IBM, he focused on developing skills in performing security assessments to help organizations improve their security posture. After graduation, as a member of the IBM X-Force Red team, he plans to continue building these skills and conducting assessments. He is particularly interested in performing physical security assessments and writing concise yet detailed reports that benefit his clients.

			Olivia Rose Milton (undergraduate) Olivia Rose Milton is graduating a year and a half early with a BS in computer science (CS) and a minor in creative writing. Originally from Nanuet, N.Y., Olivia came to RIT with no background in coding or computer science. After arriving on campus, she participated in her first hackathon and won ‘Best Freshman Hack.’ Olivia has contributed greatly to the RIT community, working as a resident advisor, CS student ambassador, student note taker, student lab instructor, and tutor. Moreover, she has strived to be a role model for underrepresented communities, serving as a mentor for the Computing Organization for Multicultural Students and as an e-board member for Computer Science Community. After graduating, Olivia will join Johnson & Johnson as a software engineer as a part of their Technology Leadership Development Program.
	Kyle Lawson Spencer Burke (graduate) Kyle Lawson Spencer Burke is graduating with an MS in computer science and an advanced certificate in artificial intelligence in computer science. Originally from Jamaica, Kyle was particularly drawn to the master’s capstone seminar, where he gained a deep appreciation for the diverse range of problems his peers chose to tackle and the creative methodologies they used to solve them. Computer vision and cryptography were two other courses that impacted Kyle during his academic journey. He continues to study computer vision in his personal time to develop and implement impactful projects back home. Kyle is currently finalizing his plans after graduation and will either work as a developer at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, or work at his local Ministry of Health to improve its online services.
			Daniel Guy LaChance (undergraduate) Daniel Guy LaChance, a third-year student from Glastonbury, C.T., is graduating this May with a BS in cybersecurity. He joined RITSEC—RIT’s student cybersecurity club and one of the university's largest student organizations—during his first semester. Dan immediately stepped into a leadership role, assisting with the club’s weekly educational demonstrations as a junior tech lead. He advanced to the position of RITSEC tech lead the following year, and this year, he was elected club president. In this role, Dan oversees the club’s various competitions, certifications, and technical support services. Additionally, for the last two semesters, he has served as a course assistant for CSEC-140: Introduction to Cybersecurity. Outside of academics, Dan is an outdoor enthusiast. While interning at Microsoft in Seattle, W.A., in 2025, he took full advantage of the city’s plentiful hiking and rock climbing opportunities. After graduating, Dan is returning to work at Microsoft.
	Swetha Srinivasan (graduate) Swetha Srinivasan is graduating this spring with an MS in information technology and analytics. She was first inspired to come to RIT after participating in a research study with School of Information professor Nirmala Shenoy while in her third year of undergrad at India’s Kumaraguru College of Technology. Upon arriving to RIT, Swetha began attending College Activities Board events, using them as opportunities to connect with Rochester’s culture and community. Her data engineering internship at Foundry further strengthened these local ties, as she also volunteered with the Rochester City School District during her tenure there. Additionally, she served as a student engagement assistant for International Student Services at RIT, where she welcomed over 600 international students to campus. Since completing her requirements in December, Swetha has started working at Nazareth University as a data analyst. The RIT Community inspired her to work in higher education and contribute to the education of students.
			Ursula C. Parker. (undergraduate) Ursula C. Parker is graduating this May with a BS/MS in software engineering. She became involved on campus immediately, spending her first year at RIT as a member of Computer Science House. In the following years, she sought out additional opportunities to connect with RIT’s community. Ursula joined the sorority Delta Phi Epsilon, where she currently serves as its vice president of academic affairs as well as its technical director. She also engaged with the campus as a tour guide, a cybersecurity researcher, and a teaching assistant, and participated in many of RIT’s clubs. Ursula’s continuous drive to learn and grow has impacted more than just her academics; she completed internships at Sorenson Communications and LightRiver Software Inc. as a product manager and software developer, respectively. Currently, she serves as the head project manager for RIT’s Accessible Learning Labs and is the head of software engineering at the start-up CogBiasAI. After graduation, Ursula will continue serving as Head of Software Engineering at CogBiasAI while also working full-time as a Senior Software Engineer at Lutron.
	Jose Francisco Palomino Lau (graduate) Jose Francisco Palomino Lau is graduating with an MS in software engineering. Originally from Peru, he has consistently been a force of positivity on campus, encouraging his fellow students and friends to be more open with their ideas. Throughout his time at RIT, Jose has worked as a graduate assistant and a course assistant, while staying active in various clubs and campus events. He also joined the Spotlight Creators team, a startup social media platform dedicated to sharing and critiquing original artwork. After graduation, Jose is staying at RIT to pursue his PhD and work toward his goal of becoming a professor.
			Olivia Rose Gauthier (undergraduate) Olivia Rose Gauthier, a fourth-year student from Kingston, M.A., is graduating this May with a BS in new media interactive development, and minors in American Sign Language and deaf cultural studies and business administration. She has contributed greatly to the community during her time in Rochester, organizing over 1300 hours of community service opportunities for her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, as the organization’s philanthropy vice president and community service director. She also helped raise over $3600 for the Center for Youth in Rochester in those roles. Olivia made the most of RIT’s resources and opportunities. She studied abroad at RIT’s global location in Zagreb, Croatia, served as a first-year senator and director of elections for RIT's student government, and was recently named an Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar, as well as receiving the Excellence in Student Life Award. She also worked as a rehabilitation web development intern at CDF Research Corporation. Olivia is continuing her education at RIT after graduation to earn her Master’s in business administration. She plans to eventually go into non-profit work, and wants to encourage more women to enter STEM fields.
	Vincent D. Le (graduate) Vincent D. Le, an alumnus of RIT's game design and development BS program, is graduating this spring with an MS in game design and development. Throughout his academic career, Vincent has pursued leadership roles that bridge technical skill, creative vision, and team management. As a student ambassador for the School of Interactive Games and Media, he has proudly represented the department to visiting families and future students. Driven by curiosity and a love of learning, Vincent serves as the Technical Director, Producer, and Audio Lead for Index 1391, his master's capstone game, where he focuses on creating clarity for both the systems he builds and the team he serves. Beyond capstone, he is the Lead Programmer and Audio Lead at Made In House, LLC, an independent studio founded with his best friends and business partners from RIT. After graduation, Vincent plans to explore opportunities in production, technical design, client-based development, and the Fulbright application process. He will carry forward the mindset that defined his time at RIT: learn fast, adapt faster, and use technical skill in the service of people, creativity, and lasting work.

Gallery

View the full gallery here.

Photos by Carlos Sanchez and Paul Besch-Turner

graduates posing together

Outstanding Alumnus

Elan Lee

Elan Lee

RIT’s Outstanding Alumnus for 2025-2026 is Elan Lee ’98 (computer science), who accepted the highest honor RIT can bestow upon a graduate during Academic Convocation! It is in recognition of professional accomplishments as well as service and generosity to the university. Elan is the Toronto-based founder and CEO of the Exploding Kittens gaming empire.

“Being asked to come back like this is really meaningful to me, especially because nothing about my career has been a straight line,” said Lee. “I hope to share the lessons I’ve learned from falling on my face repeatedly, and the tools we need to get back up afterwards.”

Awards

2026 Student Life Award Recipients
The Student Leadership Awards honor the best of RIT’s student body, highlighting recipients’ dedication to engagement, service, and leadership. These awards include Community Impact Awards, Excellence in Student Life awards, and Legacy Leader awards.

Community Impact Awards from the Division of Student Affairs

Afia headshot

Afia Bidica
(Secretary 2024-2026, Public Relations 2026, Community Engagement Chair 2024, COMS) was recognized with the RIT Memorial Fund, awarded to those who have demonstrated leadership in student groups and/or community activities.

Macca headshot

Macca Abdi
(Community Engagement Chair 2025-2026, COMS) was recognized with the Alfred L. and Ruby C. Davis Scholarship, awarded to those who have demonstrated significant effort towards the improvement and quality of campus.

Leah headshot

Leah Kvares
(President 2025-2026, RITSEC) was recognized with the RIT Student Leadership Award, awarded to those who have demonstrated significant effort toward their club or student organization.

chaynj headshot

Chaynj Jason
(Events Chair 2024-2026, COMS, Event Manager 2024-2026, CAB, Mentoring Head 2025-26, SSE) was recognized with the Alfred L. and Ruby C. Davis Scholarship, awarded to those who have demonstrated significant effort towards the improvement and quality of campus.

kiffy headshot

Kifekachukwu Nwosu
(Vice President 2025-2026, ACA, President 2025-2026, OAS) was recognized with the Alfred L. and Ruby C. Davis Scholarship, awarded to those who have demonstrated significant effort towards the improvement and quality of campus.

Chris west headshot

Christopher West
(President 2025-2026, Tech Projects Chair 2024-2025, COMS) was recognized with the Alfred L. and Ruby C. Davis Scholarship, awarded to those who have demonstrated significant effort towards the improvement and quality of campus.

Christabel headshot

Christabel Osei
(President 2025-2026, ACA) was recognized with the Joseph T. Ferraro Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students in good academic standing who have demonstrated an interest in and ability to build bridges among people of diverse backgrounds.

Faculty and Staff Awards

Firstbyte team

FirstByte Committee
Excellence Award from the Presidential Awards for Outstanding Staff

Dean Ganskop

Dean Ganskop | School of Information
Provost’s Innovative Teaching Award

Yin Pan

Yin Pan | Department of Cybersecurity
Norman A. Miles Award for Academic Excellence in Teaching

Shevette Wilson

Shevette Wilson | School of Information
Staff Excellence Award

Hallie Littlefield-Topham | School of Interactive Games and Media
Staff Innovation Award

Weijie Zhao

Weijie Zhao | Department of Computer Science
Emerging Scholar Award

Andy Meneely

Andy Meneely | Department of Software Engineering
Outstanding Educator

Xumin Liu | Department of Computer Science
Outstanding Scholar

ALANA Impact Award

community impact award

RIT’s Computing Organization for Multicultural Students (COMS) had the honor of recognition at the RIT Division of Access, Engagement, and Success's Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony for the ALANA Impact Award, presented by RIT's ALANA Collegiate Association.

The students and staff of COMS are honored to have received this award as the organization continues to work towards positively impacting students and the community.