News
Makini Beck

Kijana Crawford has been described as a woman who has “kept an eye on the prize” during her 52-year tenure at RIT. She has watched the university grow in many ways since joining the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in 1973. Now, she’s prepared to move onto her next adventure: retirement.

Betsy Dell, professor in the College of Engineering Technology, and Makini Beck, assistant professor in the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Individualized Study, are leading a National Science Foundation-funded project to support minoritized women students in STEM through a co-mentoring network.

More than 50 first-year RIT students from underrepresented populations launched their college careers early this summer. The students participated in RIT’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion (DDI) Summer Experience, a four-week program to help students successfully transition to college.

The coronavirus pandemic derailed Jude Seunarine’s study abroad plans for more than two years, but he finally got his chance during spring break. Seunarine was one of 10 students who flew to RIT’s campus in Dubrovnik and spent a week travelling the region and learning about its history and culture.