College of Liberal Arts names Romiere Horace and Olivia Croteau as 2025-2026 Commencement Delegates

Rochester Institute of Technology’s College of Liberal Arts has named Romiere Horace and Olivia Croteau as its 2025-2026 Commencement Delegates, recognizing two students whose academic excellence, leadership, research, and service reflect the breadth of impact possible through a liberal arts education.

Croteau will serve as the Undergraduate Commencement Delegate and Horace will serve as the college’s Graduate Commencement Delegate.

For both students, the honor reflects years of achievement inside and outside the classroom—and a commitment to using their education in ways that reach far beyond campus.

Olivia Croteau: Undergraduate Commencement Delegate

Originally from Saratoga, N.Y., Olivia Croteau is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Humanities, Computing, and Design.

A Performing Arts Scholar, Croteau has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester while building an interdisciplinary academic path that bridges technology, research, international development, and the arts.

One of the defining experiences of her time at RIT was completing the Frederick C. Cuny Peace and Conflict Program during a study abroad experience in Kosovo. There, she worked with the Jahjaga Foundation on legislative review, technical data analysis, and research on women’s access to healthcare.

Her academic work has also had an international humanitarian focus. Croteau presented research at the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, supporting humanitarian professionals assisting displaced Ukrainian refugees in Poland. She also served as an AI and Data Consultant for the International Organization for Migration, where she developed an AI-based web tool to analyze Telegram chat forums used by displaced Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Beyond the classroom, Croteau has been active in student leadership and campus life. She was a member of Delta Phi Epsilon and served as a delegate on the College Panhellenic Council.

She has also made a major impact in the performing arts community at RIT. Her roles have included serving as Technical Operations Stagehand Manager at the Sklarsky Glass Box Theater, junior technician with the RIT Tech Crew, and carpenter and electrician for NTID’s Department of Performing Arts.

After graduation, Croteau plans to travel while continuing to build a career in international humanitarian development.

Romiere Horace: Graduate Commencement Delegate

Originally from Summit, N.J., Romiere Horace is graduating with a Master of Science in Experimental Psychology. He also holds a dual bachelor’s degree from RIT in psychology and criminal justice, along with a minor in forensic clinical psychology.

Horace’s academic work has centered on research exploring the associations between gender, moral emotions, trauma, empathy, aggression, and delinquent behavior. His scholarship has already reached audiences at both regional and national levels, including presentations at the Eastern Psychological Association and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Students. He is also a co-author of a peer-reviewed publication in the McNair National Research Journal.

His work at RIT has extended beyond research alone. Horace has served as a graduate and teaching assistant for multiple undergraduate psychology courses, building strong experience in teaching and academic mentorship. He has also contributed as a research assistant in several key campus research spaces, including RIT’s Health and Addictions Research Center, the Neurobehavioral Lab, and the Perception and Acquisition of Words Lab.

In addition to his academic and research roles, Horace has been deeply involved in student support and leadership. Through both the CSTEP and McNair Scholars programs, he has served as a panel moderator, student research panelist, and graduate assistant, providing individualized academic and research support to undergraduate scholars.

His leadership has also shaped the psychology community at RIT. Horace has served as president and vice president of Psi Chi, as well as president of the Psychology Club, where he helped lead professional development efforts, guest speaker events, and grant application initiatives.

After graduation, Horace plans to pursue research assistant or clinical opportunities before earning a Ph.D. in forensic clinical psychology.

A reflection of COLA’s breadth

Together, Horace and Croteau represent the range of scholarship, leadership, and career preparation found across the College of Liberal Arts. Their work spans psychology, criminal justice, computing, humanitarian research, global policy, mentorship, and the performing arts—demonstrating how a liberal arts education can be both deeply academic and powerfully applied.

As the College of Liberal Arts’ 2025-2026 Commencement Delegates, Horace and Croteau reflect not only outstanding achievement, but also the curiosity, service, and ambition that define the college’s graduating class.