May 2026 Newsletter | Close of the Academic Year
News and Inspiration from the College of Liberal Arts -
May 2026 Newsletter | Close of the Academic Year
Striving Toward a Strong Future
A Message from the Dean
This past semester, COLA began gathering feedback from faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders to lay the groundwork for our next five-year strategic plan. In parallel, RIT's Board of Trustees recently voted to adopt a new university-wide strategic framework, and COLA's plan will be developed in thoughtful alignment with that broader vision. Together, these efforts represent a rare opportunity to define what our college will strive toward in the years ahead.
A Goal in Flight: How Jillian Antol Turned a Freshman Tradition into a Global Mission
At RIT’s convocation each fall, it’s tradition for new students to write hopes or goals on orange sheets of paper, fold them into paper airplanes, and launch them together at the ceremony. Symbolic and fun, it represents the beginning of their new journey as Tigers and celebrates what lies ahead for them. For Jillian Antol, that goal came to fruition in a flash.
Recently, Jillian share a glimpse of her RIT journey as well as a shout out of thanks to a few folks who made her experience so special.
Read the profile featuring Jillian >
Read the news story about Jillian's next steps and plans for Peace Corps service >
Grad thrives in the courtroom and classroom
Ryan Lamon ’17 (criminal justice) had always envisioned himself as a law enforcement officer, but his time at RIT—particularly an internship with the U.S. Marshals Service—altered that vision and changed his path. Today he serves as a special assistant district attorney for Monroe County’s Major Felony Bureau.
College of Liberal Arts Faculty and Staff Recognized for Exemplary Service
At its annual spring celebration last month, the College of Liberal Arts recognized more than 50 faculty and staff members for their years of service and exemplary professionalism. Additionally, promotions for several faculty members were recently announced.
An inside look
A round-up view of just a few of our proudest moments this spring.
Hello, friend.
Get to know the people who keep the College of Liberal Arts moving forward in these regularly updated profiles.
Nominate a faculty or staff member for a future profile spotlight
Meet Tina Sutton, Professor and incoming Director of the School of Psychology and Cognitive Science
Favorite read: My go to series of books when I want to read for fun are the Women’s Murder Club books by James Patterson.
Three foods you can’t live without:
- Cheese, all kinds
- dark chocolate,
- bread
What or who inspires you? My family inspires me! My kids are always willing to try new things and motivate me to engage in new activities like exploring Anakeesta in the Great Smoky Mountains in the rain.
A goal or dream you are working towards: Run a second half marathon. I was challenged by the first finishing in just under two hours, and I want to beat that time!
Three experiences or destinations on your bucket list:
- Visit all 30 ballparks. I have made it to 26 (just went to T-Mobile park, home of the Seattle Mariners this week) and have four more to go (all in California).
- Travel to Greece to experience the history and cuisine.
- See the Buffalo Bills win a Superbowl!
Newsmakers
August 25, 2026
Muhammad Salar Khan, assistant professor of public policy, was invited to share his expert perspective at the Town of Henrietta’s public hearing on proposed data center regulations. Khan addressed key considerations for balancing digital infrastructure growth with community needs, including energy and water demands, infrastructure costs, transparency, cumulative impacts, and the need for adaptable regulations as technology evolves.
August 21, 2026
Michael Brown, associate professor of history, presented his paper “Being Sicilian in ‘Smugtown, USA’” at the American Association for Italian Studies annual conference at the University of Sassari on June 5 in Sardinia, Italy. The paper proposes Rochester as a distinct and important site in the Sicilian diaspora. Placing the work of Rochester-raised writer Jerre Mangione and filmmaker Frank LaLoggia into conversation, Brown links their nationally significant representations of Sicilian American life to specific moments in and features of Rochester history.
August 21, 2026
Michaël Amy, Distinguished Professor in the School of Art, published an interview with the contemporary Iranian-born, German artist of Armenian descent Nairy Baghramian in the September-October 2026 issue of Sculpture. Baghramian's abstract, process-driven sculptures can be interpreted as solutions to problems that we might have trouble identifying.
August 21, 2026
Silvia Benso, professor of philosophy and director of the women's, gender, and sexuality studies program, published “Academic Interventions: Feminist Justice, Transformative Education, and the STEM Fields” in Positionen und Perspektiven im zeitgenössischen Feminismus. The essay explores the need and benefits of integrating an education in STEM disciplines with feminist studies to shape a world where justice moves from legal frameworks to material realities.
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See the full list of Newsmakers here
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