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.
Demara Folk ‘16 (She/Her/Hers)
Clinical Case Manager
Peace Over Violence
User failure to fuel strength. Use it as many times as you need to drive success.
Clinical Case Manager
Peace Over Violence
User failure to fuel strength. Use it as many times as you need to drive success.
Demara graduated with an AS in General Business Studies and a BS in International Studies. She is currently pursuing her master’s in social work from Arizona State University.
Natnail Tolossa ‘24 (He/Him/His)
Computing and Information Technologies
RIT/NTID
The best way to better support the ALANA community is to invest time and resources in them.
Computing and Information Technologies
RIT/NTID
The best way to better support the ALANA community is to invest time and resources in them.
Natnail is a current student majoring in Computing and Information Technologies. He is the President of NTID Student Congress.
Victoria Foster ‘14 (She/Her/Hers)
CEO/Event Planner
Be Unique Events & Co.
You will be challenged, but you will come out a better person as long as you listen to learn, not only to respond.
CEO/Event Planner
Be Unique Events & Co.
You will be challenged, but you will come out a better person as long as you listen to learn, not only to respond.
Victoria graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Changes & Leadership, Human Resources & Communication in 2014. She is a member of the NTID Alumni Association and serves on the Diversity & Governance Committee.
Jamaal Brown ‘13 (He/Him/His)
Marketing Communications Specialist
NTID Communications, Marketing and Multimedia Services
BHM is an important reminder to all of us that Black Americans have significantly impacted the world.
Marketing Communications Specialist
NTID Communications, Marketing and Multimedia Services
BHM is an important reminder to all of us that Black Americans have significantly impacted the world.
Jamaal graduated with a BS in Communication and is currently a Marketing Communications Specialist at NTID.
Rachel Romaine ‘22 (She/Her/Hers)
International Business and Management/Information Systems BS
RIT/NTID
BHM is a great time for me to reflect on the amazing things Black people have accomplished.
International Business and Management/Information Systems BS
RIT/NTID
BHM is a great time for me to reflect on the amazing things Black people have accomplished.
Rachel is a fourth-year International Business and Management Information Systems double major and Digital Business minor, expected to graduate in May 2022.
Donald Falls ‘12 (He/Him/His)
Commercial Photographer, Cinematographer, Motivation Speaker & Dancer
RIT/NTID Arts and Imaging Studies AOS
The purpose of BHM is to learn, live and improve with the power and knowledge that Black experiences can serve.
Commercial Photographer, Cinematographer, Motivation Speaker & Dancer
RIT/NTID Arts and Imaging Studies AOS
The purpose of BHM is to learn, live and improve with the power and knowledge that Black experiences can serve.
Donald graduated with an AOS degree in Arts and Imaging Studies with a concentration in graphics.
Teresa Jackson ‘11 (She/Her/Hers)
Graphic Designer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Don't hide behind the curtain. Stand up, roll up your sleeves and show the world what you can do.
Graphic Designer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Don't hide behind the curtain. Stand up, roll up your sleeves and show the world what you can do.
Teresa obtained her bachelor’s degree in Graphic Arts in 2011.
Menna Nicola ‘23 (She/Her/Hers)
Applied Computing Technology
RIT/NTID
Being a part of Ebony Club has been one of my biggest cultural influences on campus.
Applied Computing Technology
RIT/NTID
Being a part of Ebony Club has been one of my biggest cultural influences on campus.
Menna Nicola is a third-year Applied Computing Technology major with a concentration in Human-Centered Computing.
Danayt Gafo ‘18 (She/Her/Hers)
Academic Executive Assistant
Marie Philip School, The Learning Center for the Deaf
[Our ancestors] embodied integrity, leadership and accomplished milestones that offer us rich history lessons.
Academic Executive Assistant
Marie Philip School, The Learning Center for the Deaf
[Our ancestors] embodied integrity, leadership and accomplished milestones that offer us rich history lessons.
Danayt graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2018.
Corinna Cozart ‘13 (She/Her/Hers)
Freelance ASL interpreter
(Various Organizations)
Take on assignments that scare you a little bit—you can do it! You never know how capable you are until you try.
Freelance ASL interpreter
(Various Organizations)
Take on assignments that scare you a little bit—you can do it! You never know how capable you are until you try.
Corinna is a freelance ASL interpreter. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language in 2013.
Bobga Tete ‘23 (He/Him/His)
Civil Engineering Technology BS
RIT/NTID
The larger community can better support BIPOC people by learning [and embracing our cultures].
Civil Engineering Technology BS
RIT/NTID
The larger community can better support BIPOC people by learning [and embracing our cultures].
Bobga is a third-year civil engineering technology major. He is expected to graduate in 2023.
Sonya Smith ‘16 (She/Her/Hers)
Deaf Community Advocate
Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Every day in life, we may fail, but we can get up and try again. Keep pushing for more.
Deaf Community Advocate
Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Every day in life, we may fail, but we can get up and try again. Keep pushing for more.
Sonya obtained her AS degree in Business and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration: Marketing in 2016.