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Rebecca DeSantis smiling into the camera, leaning against a textured concrete wall while wearing an olive green top and grey cardigan.

RIT/NTID alum credits interpreting education for opportunities in management and leadership

RIT/NTID alum Rebecca DeSantis ’10 credits NTID’s American Sign Language and Interpretating Education program for helping her build the confidence, foundation, and skills that prepared her for a career in interpreting.

A three-panel composite image featuring individual portraits of three smiling professionals standing indoors. From left to right: a woman with long brown hair in a grey long-sleeve shirt and green skirt, a man with glasses and a beard wearing a black quarter-zip pullover with his arms crossed, and an older man with glasses and a gray beard wearing a blue and white checkered button-down shirt.

NTIDAA Welcomes New and Returning Executive Committee Leaders

The NTID Alumni Association is pleased to announce its new and returning Board of Directors executive committee leaders: Megan (Albertz) Gonzalez, Jason Wagner, and Timothy Beatty. 

'Three new trustees—alumni Chris Estrin, Bradley Fluke, and Amy Zhen—have been appointed to the board of Rochester Institute of Technology.'

RIT appoints three alumni to Board of Trustees

Rochester Institute of Technology has appointed three new members to its Board of Trustees, adding to its roster of leaders experienced in technology, business, accessibility, and engineering.

A group of eleven diverse individuals posing together indoors against a brick wall with decorative light panels. Several group members are wearing Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and NTID-branded orange and black apparel, including shirts, hoodies, and hats. In the center, a man in an orange shirt sits in a motorized wheelchair. Everyone is smiling for the camera.

NTID Alumni Association: 2026 Spring Board Meeting Highlights

The spring NTID Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting was filled with energy and insights. We are excited to share the highlights from a full weekend of learning, discussion, and celebration. As usual, we were also joined by the NTID Foundation Board of Directors, which provides us with meaningful connection and partnerships.

image of Amberlee Jones and Sam Sepah

Two appointed to RIT/NTID Foundation Board of Directors

Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf has appointed Amberlee Jones, of Rochester, New York, and Sam Sepah of Pleasanton, California, to their Alumni Association Board of Directors.

A portrait of Christine Sun Kim standing against a plain white background. She is looking directly at the camera with a subtle smile and wears round wire-rimmed glasses, a light blue button-up shirt, a black skirt, and a chunky gold chain necklace.

RIT/NTID lecture series to feature artist and alumna Christine Sun Kim, April 23

Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf will host an evening with artist and alumna Christine Sun Kim as part of the college’s Edmund Lyon Memorial Lectureship Series, 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in the new RIT Performing Arts Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

Yalanda Allgood standing on a dark stage, speaking and signing. She is wearing a black t-shirt that reads "Black Interpreter Experience."

RIT/NTID alum works to enhance representation in the interpreting field

RIT/NTID alum Yalanda Allgood ’22 (American Sign Language-English Interpretation), ’25 (Health Care Interpretation) is currently an American Sign Language interpreter specializing in health care and medical interpretation. With expertise in interpreting, mentorships, and program development, she aims to enhance accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

A smiling woman stands outdoors against a soft-focus background of evergreen trees and a rolling hillside under a cloudy sky. She is wearing black athletic shorts and a colorful, geometric-patterned tank top that features a graphic of hands signing 'keep going'

RIT/NTID alum promotes accessibility and inclusivity through visual storytelling

Remy Glock (graphic design, ’11) has more than 14 years of experience in the design and advertising industry. She is known for her creative work that promotes accessibility and inclusivity through visual storytelling in American Sign Language.

Charmaine Jacobs Hlibok

Distinguished Alumni Award winners named for 2026

Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented annually by each of RIT’s nine colleges, the Graduate School, and the School of Individualized Study to alumni who have performed at the highest levels of their profession or who have contributed to the advancement and leadership of civic, philanthropic, or service organizations.

A composite of four images one with a person in front of her laptop, one with two people chatting on a staircase, one with a person sitting on a stool looking up, and an aerial view of campus.

AI tool developed by RIT/NTID assists deaf students with English grammar, with support from Google.org

Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf, with support from Google.org, has developed “Grammar Laboratory,” a learning tool that uses artificial intelligence to assist deaf students with English grammar.

Eric Cardenas

RIT/NTID alum provides ASL education to advocate for the Deaf community

When Eric Cardenas ’09 (applied computer technology), ’14 (sociology and anthropology) received scholarships for college, he chose to attend RIT/NTID to obtain a career-focused education and contribute to the Deaf community. Now a proud RIT/NTID graduate, Cardenas is an American Sign Language educator, committed to providing accessible education and inclusive communication between deaf and hearing worlds. 

a man in a yellow safety jacket stands in front of a mack truck

NTID alumnus is driven to lead

As a business team leader at the company’s Pennsylvania plant, Trauger oversees operations on the cab-over line, where the refuse collection trucks are assembled, with a focus on safety, quality, and delivery.