Walking in His Footsteps: Two RIT Students Continue the Work Started by Isaac L. Jordan Sr. | May 2025
Two RIT students have been honored with the Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Endowed Scholarship. Jordan made it a point to celebrate differences and he shared that passion with the RIT campus community as the first chairperson of the President’s Commission on Pluralism and Inclusion in the 1990’s. His passion for creating a sense of belonging for all lives live on with his wife Cassandra and their son Ike continue the endowment in his memory. They are shown in these photographs with this year’s recipients Christopher Herrera and Olivia Gauthier.
Christopher Herrera
Christopher Herrera is the Freshman Scholarship recipient. He says the volunteer work he did in high school helped develop his own sense of “community,” something Isaac L. Jordan Sr. demonstrated on the RIT campus. Herrera was a California Scholarship Federation member and along with other classmates, set up club fairs, cultural events and spread awareness about diversity.
“I took the initiative to lead several events and was responsible to ensure that everyone did their part and supported my peers when they needed help. I kept my team motivated and made sure that they stayed on track and enjoyed working as a team. I spread my positivity among others so we were able to communicate and work together productively. My contribution as a CSF (California Scholarship Federation) member was volunteering to distribute foods, clean up parks, help out at carnival events, and make cards for children in hospitals to cheer them up.”
He didn’t miss a beat when he arrived on the RIT campus last fall.
“As a first-year student at RIT, I wanted to continue my contribution to my college’s community and the community around me. I volunteered at FoodShare, participated in the momentum leadership program, and volunteered for RIT Catholic Newman events. I am a math tutor for NTID students. I plan to continue participating in these activities and contribute to spreading awareness about diversity, volunteering at FoodShare, and joining other activities on campus.”
Herrera is an electrical engineering technology major and with a GPA of 3.6, he is making the adjustment as a college student. With classes like Fundamentals of Engineering, Digital and Microcontroller Systems and Calculus II, he also understands extracurricular activities are important too. He is active with the VEX U Robotics Club and the No Voice Zone Club. The San Jose native keeps a positive attitude about what lies ahead.
“My academic learning so far has been challenging, however I will strive to be persistent, resilient, and ready to tackle any challenges that I encounter. I am learning new skills and experiencing novel adventures everyday here at RIT, and I eagerly look forward to expanding my horizons in all areas of my development.”
Olivia Gauthier
“I have thrown myself into the RIT community. I have broadened my horizons.” That’s how Olivia Gauthier describes the past three years at RIT. Gauthier was awarded the Upperclassman Scholarship. She is an active member of the Honors Program and a Performing Arts Scholar specializing in Technical Theater. Her extracurricular commitments are extensive.
Gauthier did not waste any time putting her leadership skills to work as a first-year senator on Student Government serving on the accessibility committee.
She says, “As a member of this committee, we sought to create a more inclusive physical campus as well as a more welcoming environment to those who have disabilities. Some of the things we worked on were setting up open lines of communication with FMS so students could report broken automatic door buttons or a not shoveled part of the sidewalk. We also worked with New Student Orientation to provide written guidelines to Orientation Leaders if they have a student with a disability. This included a map of handicap accessible pathways and gender-neutral bathrooms.”
She also jumped right in-and still serves with the President’s Commission on Women, which includes students, staff, faculty and administration.
One professor describes her as “an invaluable member” with “a strong commitment.” In her letter of recommendation for Gauthier, the professor wrote, “Her perspective as a student, specifically a female student, enables her to proffer valuable insight and input.” She added, “Her dedication to academics, leadership, and community service has consistently impressed me. She approaches every opportunity with enthusiasm, reliability, and a strong work ethic, making a meaningful impact on those around her.”
Gauthier’s extracurricular activities include work with the executive board of Alpha Xi Delta (VP of Philanthropy) and the College Panhellenic Council. She says, “For my role as VP of Diversity and Inclusion on the executive board for the College Panhellenic Council (CPC), I oversaw the diversity initiatives for five sororities. This included helping chapters make their bylaws more inclusive, as well as updated CPC’s own bylaws to reflect more inclusive practices. I also advocated for interpreters at all our events and made sure our locations were accessible to those with physical disabilities.”
She is also proud of her role in fundraising efforts which include events like Xi Factor. a karaoke competition and Sunshine Week that involves the RIT Greek community, raising money for children and teens experiencing foster care and homelessness and funds for The Center for Youth. She points out, “Between these two events, we raised over $6,000.”
Looking back over the last three years, Gauthier says these experiences have taught her a lot about leadership and about herself. “Overall, I am so grateful for all of my experiences here at RIT. I will treasure the memories, friendships, and skills I have gained along the way.”