RIT’s Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars program helps students achieve college goals

First-year Rochester Institute of Technology student Carlos Gaston Lopez sees a future in technology. The first-generation college student is working toward a bachelor’s degree in computer science and master’s degree in cybersecurity, thanks to RIT’s Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars program.

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Paul Besch-Turner/RIT

: Incoming Rochester City Scholar Carlos Gaston Lopez, center, is introduced by Vice President and Associate Provost for Access, Engagement, and Success Keith Jenkins, left, and RIT President Bill Sanders, right.

For more than 15 years, the program has opened doors for Rochester students, providing full-tuition scholarships and support that turn college aspirations into careers.

Rochester City Scholars have gone on to become doctors, jewelry designers, senior account executives, sonographers, fine artists, teachers, and more, impacting the world and the local community they grew up in.

“As a first-generation student, it’s a nice opportunity because I am able to go to school and not have to worry about how I’m going to pay for it,” said Gaston Lopez. “RIT has amazing co-op programs. I am looking forward to finishing school and having two different degrees that will open many doors for me.”

Begun in 2010 by President Emeritus Bill Destler and his wife, Rebecca Johnson, the program provides full-tuition scholarships to full-time, first-year students from public and private charter schools within the Rochester City School District and the Urban-Suburban Transfer Program. Students enroll in all colleges across RIT’s campus.

Joseph Vazquez ‘25 (mechanical engineering) was able to earn his undergraduate degree more easily thanks to the financial and academic support the program provided.

“It’s such a privilege, being able to get my education at a highly reduced cost. It was a game changer,” he said. “When you feel like someone is supporting you, that motivates you to do a lot more.”

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Carlos Ortiz/RIT

Joseph Vazquez, center, celebrated his graduation at a reception for Rochester City Scholars at RIT’s Liberty Hill in 2025. With him are President Emeritus David Munson, left, and Vice President and Associate Provost for Access, Engagement, and Success Keith Jenkins, right.

Vazquez credits the program for sending him on his current track as a mechanical and industrial engineering Ph.D. student at RIT with the goal to someday become a faculty member. He never considered getting into research, but his RCS mentor suggested he look into it.

He began doing research during the summer between his first and second undergraduate years, thanks to additional opportunities offered by the Division of Access, Engagement, and Success, and he went on to participate in the MIT Summer Research Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2022.

“I didn’t really know what research was, but the idea of working on the cutting edge was what drew me to apply,” said Vazquez. “Then I fell in love with it. Without a mentor pushing me, I don’t think I would have gotten out of my comfort zone and tried something that different.”

Now, Vazquez is studying technology that can drive change and shift the focus from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, specifically focusing on solid-state batteries. In the future he plans to take a broader view with the goal of helping reduce global problems driven by resource scarcity.

“Right now, the world is fighting over resources, fighting over energy,” he said. “We need energy to survive. If I can play a role in shifting that and making it so we don’t have to fight over those resources, that would be nice.”