Diversity Spotlight Archive
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- Diversity Spotlight Archive
Year-round, we spotlight people in our community, whether they are students, faculty, staff or alumni. Learn more about the people who make RIT/NTID an amazing place to be.
Anthony Bizzarro ’16 (He/Him/His)
Freelance ASL Interpreter
Self-Employed
PRIDE means visibly being your most authentic self. PRIDE is me being the person I wanted to be.
Freelance ASL Interpreter
Self-Employed
PRIDE means visibly being your most authentic self. PRIDE is me being the person I wanted to be.
Anthony graduated with a BS degree in ASL - English Interpretation (ASLIE) in 2016 from RIT/NTID and is currently enrolled in NTID's Health Care Interpretation MS program.
Raymond Ramirez ’15 (He/Him/His)
Operations Coordinator
Sorenson Communications
Pride celebrations should be fun, liberating, and safe for everyone to participate in. We need to protect and nourish our community.
Operations Coordinator
Sorenson Communications
Pride celebrations should be fun, liberating, and safe for everyone to participate in. We need to protect and nourish our community.
Raymond was heavily involved in the LGBTQ+ scene at NTID during his years at RIT.
Kaylee Willard ’22 (She/Her/Hers)
Accounting Technology AAS
RIT/NTID
I appreciate that we’re able to connect with like-minded people at NTID as well as learn more about other cultures.
Accounting Technology AAS
RIT/NTID
I appreciate that we’re able to connect with like-minded people at NTID as well as learn more about other cultures.
Kaylee is a Accounting Technology AAS '22 student who shared a little about her experience at RIT/NTID.
Aileen Wu ’13 (She/Her/Hers)
Visual Information Specialist
FDIC
Use negatives to better yourself. Constantly prove people wrong and show them that you can do it.
Visual Information Specialist
FDIC
Use negatives to better yourself. Constantly prove people wrong and show them that you can do it.
Aileen graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and is now working for the government in Arlington, VA.
Melissa Keomoungkhoun ‘15 ‘16 (She/Her/Hers)
Marketing Event Coordinator
Sorenson Communications
I strive to be an example to my sisters, my family and my friends to always thrive and be one step ahead.
Marketing Event Coordinator
Sorenson Communications
I strive to be an example to my sisters, my family and my friends to always thrive and be one step ahead.
Melissa graduated from RIT/NTID with a BS and MS, is the founder of Asian Hungry, and is a Marketing Events Coordinator at Sorenson Communications.
Dhruvesh Patel ‘22 (He/Him/His)
Business Administration MBA
RIT/NTID
I hope to inspire my deaf peers and be a role model to them.
Business Administration MBA
RIT/NTID
I hope to inspire my deaf peers and be a role model to them.
Graduating in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration–Management, Dhruvesh is working on obtaining his MBA from RIT in 2024 with aspirations of being successful in the business field.
Denise Herrera ‘04 (She/Her/Hers)
Interpreter and Program Coordinator, Randleman Program
NTID Department of Access Services
Assumptions limit us; therefore, I don’t want any assumptions. See me for who I am, don’t assume.
Interpreter and Program Coordinator, Randleman Program
NTID Department of Access Services
Assumptions limit us; therefore, I don’t want any assumptions. See me for who I am, don’t assume.
Dee is an interpreter and program coordinator for the Randleman Program.
Jessica Contreras (She/Her/Hers)
Research Program Coordinator
NTID Research Center on Culture and Language (CCL) and Rochester Bridge to Doctorate Program (Bridges)
I think women’s history month is a time to recognize, yes, we deserve equality no matter what our gender is in EVERY aspect.
Research Program Coordinator
NTID Research Center on Culture and Language (CCL) and Rochester Bridge to Doctorate Program (Bridges)
I think women’s history month is a time to recognize, yes, we deserve equality no matter what our gender is in EVERY aspect.
Research Program Coordinator for NTID Research Center on Culture and Language (CCL) and Rochester Bridge to Doctorate Program (Bridges).
Rain Bosworth (She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Professor
NTID Department of Liberal Studies
My peers at RIT/NTID frequently let me know that my views are important. I love that feeling.
Assistant Professor
NTID Department of Liberal Studies
My peers at RIT/NTID frequently let me know that my views are important. I love that feeling.
Rain is an Assistant Professor in the NTID Department of Liberal Studies.
Trisha Gard-Thompson (She/Her/Hers)
Lecturer/Co-op Coordinator
NTID Department of Engineering Studies
Every woman I meet inspires me in different ways. I'm built with that support and I can say that they're all my heroes.
Lecturer/Co-op Coordinator
NTID Department of Engineering Studies
Every woman I meet inspires me in different ways. I'm built with that support and I can say that they're all my heroes.
Trisha is a lecturer and Co-op Coordinator in the Department of Engineering Studies.
Jalon Hall ‘19 (She/Her/Hers)
Investigator Analyst, Social Impact and Human Rights
It's through darkness and through isolation that you really find what is truly important to you.
Investigator Analyst, Social Impact and Human Rights
It's through darkness and through isolation that you really find what is truly important to you.
Jalon received her AS degree in Hospitality Services Management AS in 2017 and finished her undergrad career with a BS in Human Resources Management. She minored in communication and entrepreneurship with an immersion in criminal justice.
Mechelle Cureaux ‘22 (She/Her/Hers)
Chemistry MS
RIT/NTID
Don't let someone change who you are at heart. Let people transform you into a better person, but never let them dim your shine.
Chemistry MS
RIT/NTID
Don't let someone change who you are at heart. Let people transform you into a better person, but never let them dim your shine.
Mechelle is a second-year Chemistry master’s student expected to graduate in May 2022. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University New Orleans.