In memory of Stephanie Smith Albert | October 2018
The RIT community unexpectedly lost one of its brightest stars earlier this month. Stephanie Smith Albert, an NTID alumna and NTID’s first director of diversity and inclusion, passed away suddenly on Oct. 4, 2018.
“Like so many of us, when Stephanie came to RIT/NTID for college, she found a home and her identity,” said NTID President and RIT Vice President and Dean Gerry Buckley. “She treasured this community and was thrilled to return as NTID’s first-ever director of diversity and inclusion. Stephanie loved people, and she brought out the best in everyone. She always had a smile, a kind word and a hug, and she had an uncanny ability to know when someone especially needed it. She made an extraordinary impact on RIT/NTID in a very short time, and she will be deeply missed by all of us. Her shining example will light our way forward in the coming weeks and months as we mourn her passing.”
Stephanie began serving as director of diversity and inclusion in July 2017 and during her limited time in that capacity, she made a remarkably positive impact. She was instrumental in building collaborations with various colleges, committees and programs by offering meaningful opportunities for everyone to intersect and learn from each other with respect, despite their differences. The community universally recognized her as a committed advocate who fostered trust by sharing her lived experience to build a more inclusive community.
“The manner in which Stephanie Smith Albert lived, served and shared with us has impacted our lives forever, and for the beautiful gift of love she so freely gave to us, we are indeed grateful,” said Keith Jenkins, RIT’s vice president and associate provost for Diversity and Inclusion. “Our thoughts and prayers go to her husband, NTID’s Student Life Team Director Tim Albert, as well as Stephanie’s parents and her entire family. We celebrate her life and now say, ‘Rest in peace, dear colleague and friend. We love you and will miss you greatly.’”
The Stephanie M. Smith Albert Scholarship Fund has been established to continue her legacy of supporting students. Contributions may be made to the Stephanie M. Smith Albert Scholarship Fund, c/o NTID, 52 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623.