Diversity Initiatives and Access


Diversity Initiatives Office
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The Diversity Initiatives Office in the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences is committed to providing an inclusive and equitable environment for all of its students.
Women in Computing
Women in Computing (WiC) is dedicated to expanding the representation of women and gender minorities in computing and preparing women and gender minorities for leadership roles within Computing. Hundreds of women and gender minority students participate in our computing career-focused programs and events each year.
Computing Organization for Multicultural Students
Computing Organization for Multicultural Students (COMS) is devoted to increasing the number of underrepresented students in computing. COMS provides a community to promote a successful graduation rate and helps students prepare for leadership roles within the diverse field of computing.
Learn more about Computing Organization for Multicultural Students
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students
What makes RIT the best choice for deaf and hear-of-hearing computing students? The Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, in collaboration with the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, is committed to providing deaf and hard-of-hearing students with outstanding access and support services, such as interpreting services, note-taking, real-time captioning, and tutoring/advising.
Learn more about Access and Support Services
NTID also offers individualized pre-baccalaureate programs to help students prepare for specific RIT programs. Contact the NTID Admissions for more information.
Faculty Diversity initiatives and Research Highlights
NRT-AI: AWARE-AI: AWAREness for Sensing Humans Responsibly with AI
National Science Foundation. Award to RIT: $1,994,676. The budget supports trainee fellowships, educational activities, and subject fees; the program focuses on promoting women, DHH, and AALANA students in STEM.
Learn more on the AWARE-AI website
College of Computing Scholars - ENhancing Growth-mindset Academic Experiences (ENGAgE)
Supports Graduation of Undergraduate Students in Computing," National Science Foundation. The GCCIS ENGAgE Program provides scholarships to academically talented low-income students studying in the Computing and Information Technologies, Web and Mobile Computing, Human Centered Computing, Software Engineering, and Computing Security degree programs.
Learn more on the ENGAgE website
IGM Diversity & Inclusion Task Force
Began June 2nd, 2020 to initiate a more inclusive environment within the IGM department. The task force has developed ACT with an integrity motto and hosted social events, game jams, training, and workshops.
STANDARD: Ethical Approaches to Empower Disabled Graduate Students in STEM
Let by Kristen Shinohara, this project investigates how academic culture and relationships systematically disadvantage disabled students in computing at the graduate level. This project investigates how ableism-the act of privileging nondisabled people over those with disabilities-is an ethical issue that manifests in academic relationships and culture. Ableist culture may contribute to unethical systemic obstacles for achievement at the graduate level, particularly because the graduate experience is shaped by relationships more than curricular requirements typical at the undergraduate level. National Science Foundation. $282,900.
2021 Collaborative Network for Engineering and Computing Diversity (CoNECD )
Led by Margaret Bailey, Naveen Sharma, Lana Verschage, and T. Conlon, this collaborative network is creating an inclusive, vibrant learning environment within a large, software engineering program with experiential learning experiences created for students, faculty, and senior design coaches & sponsors. 2021 Collaborative Network for Engineering and Computing Diversity (CoNECD), Crystal City, VA. January 2021. [under peer review]
Diversity in Computing News
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March 6, 2023
My Interview with Stephen Jacobs, Scholar-in-Residence at the Strong National Museum of Play
Global Toy News talks to Stephen Jacobs, professor in the School of Interactive Games and Media, about Jewish history in the toy and game industry.
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February 3, 2023
RIT’s longest-running NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates program renewed for fifth time
The National Science Foundation is providing RIT new funding to continue a long-running mathematical sciences research program for undergraduate students from across the country. The NSF awarded RIT nearly $325,000 to continue to serve as a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site in extremal graph theories and dynamical systems for the next three summers.
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February 1, 2023
Community members commit to diversity and inclusion
People from across the university are helping RIT make substantial progress on the initiatives laid out in the Action Plan for Race and Ethnicity. Launched in July 2021, the plan unveiled an extensive series of initiatives designed to make RIT more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.