Tiger Collective: News from NTID and President Solomon

Welcome to a new academic year at RIT/NTID! As I complete my first year as president of NTID, I do so with deep appreciation for the people who make this college extraordinary. I have spent this first year listening, learning, and witnessing the strength of our community. Those experiences make me even more optimistic and excited about the year ahead.

Continue reading for updates on the NTID Strategic Journey and September 11 State of the Institute Address, NTID AI Task Force, and college-wide student retention initiative.

On August 1, NTID welcomed Dr. Flavia Fleischer as the college’s new dean and the first Deaf woman to serve in the role. A nationally recognized scholar and leader in Deaf education, she brings extensive experience in academic leadership and research that will strengthen NTID’s mission and future direction.

The RIT/NTID Office of Admissions had the pleasure of working with 336 NTID-supported students who enrolled for fall 2026, surpassing our goal of enrolling 315. A total of 80 incoming students are from New York, 59 come from the Mid-Atlantic states, 35 from California, with the rest hailing from other areas of the country. The students are enrolled in programs across NTID and the other colleges of RIT.

It was an exciting summer on campus as 182 deaf and hard-of-hearing students from across the country arrived at RIT to participate in NTID Youth Programs. Students in Explore Your Future, Advanced Tech Careers, Health Care Careers Exploration Program, and Tech Tigers stepped into their residence hall, explored campus, built new friendships, and began imagining what their futures could look like. What started as a week-long summer experience quickly became an opportunity for students to see their potential as future engineers, scientists, healthcare professionals, technologists, artists, and business leaders.

This summer, NTID’s NRSC team expanded STEM learning opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing students through a series of outreach programs across the country. From early June through mid-July, students in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Alabama took part in hands-on activities designed to build curiosity, confidence, and practical skills in science, engineering, computing, and problem-solving. Together, these programs reached 127 students and reflected NTID’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to STEM education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students nationwide. 

In June, 42 teachers and 8 counselors from 24 partner schools received curriculum training for 22 PFF dual-credit courses as part of the 20th annual Project Fast Forward Summer Training Program. 

Also this summer, as part of Project Fast Forward’s newest partnership with the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) M.E.L.D. STEM Program, the first four pioneering students in AIDB's CNC Machining Academy, a three-week program that provides deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students with intensive, hands-on training in computer numerical control (CNC) machining and related manufacturing skills, earned National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) credentials, a nationally recognized industry certification that demonstrates competency in advanced manufacturing and machining. This achievement marks an exciting step toward establishing a Project Fast Forward partnership that will provide qualified students the opportunity to earn both industry-recognized credentials and RIT/NTID dual-enrollment college credit. 

As I begin my first academic year as dean of NTID, I am grateful for the warm welcome I have received from faculty, staff, and students across our community. It’s an honor to join a college known for its creativity, innovation, academic excellence, and deep commitment to our students. I look forward to working with all of you to support student success this year and beyond.

NTID’s New Signers Program students enjoyed a whirlwind two-and-a-half-week intensive journey before fall semester began, transforming their very limited prior knowledge of sign language into newfound confidence and successfully earning four credits in ASL.

SVP kicked off on August 9 for incoming deaf and hard-of-hearing first-year and transfer students entering NTID programs. Students participated in a variety of interactive sessions and small group activities as well as recreational events.

Be sure to visit the former Dining Commons space to see the awesome mural created by faculty member Laural Hartman, senior lecturer in the Visual and Communications Studies department, and a group of students. It brings a burst of colorful Tiger Pride to that space!

Join me in recognizing and celebrating the many accomplishments across our NTID community. 

From promotions to publications to dissertation defenses, our colleagues and students continue to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. Please take a moment to explore and celebrate these achievements.

Check out some of the RIT/NTID stories featuring faculty, staff, and students that have made the news recently.