- Academic Affairs welcomes the following new faculty members:
- Will Garrow, associate professor, comes to NTID after 14 years at California State University at Northridge (CSUN). He will teach in the Deaf Studies and LEAD-BS programs in the Department of Liberal Studies. His scholarly interests focus on mentoring and inclusion in deaf education. He was a professional snowboarder and has been appointed Freestyle Snowboard Coach for the 2027 U.S. Deaflympics Team. He also has climbed all 46 of the high peaks in the Adirondack mountains.
- Xinbei Liu has been hired to the Department of Science and Mathematics as a visiting lecturer after having served as an adjunct instructor for biotechnology during AY25-26. In addition to continuing instructional duties for the Laboratory Science Technology degree program, Xinbei will also lend her chemistry and biology expertise to supporting cross-registered students in College of Science and College of Health Science and Technology degree programs.
- Sam Russotto has been hired in the Department of Engineering Studies as a visiting lecturer after having served as an adjunct instructor for NTID Engineering Studies during AY25-26. In addition to continuing instructional duties for the Precision Manufacturing associate degree program, Sam will also lend his expertise to supporting students in the Applied Mechanical Technology program and possible development of new Engineering programs.
- David Putz and Josh Bloodworth were selected for new roles in the Communications, Marketing, and Multimedia Services department. Dave is now the assistant director, marketing and communications strategy, and Josh is now the assistant director, multimedia design and production.
- Brittany Taylor, Stacey Davis, Amanda Picioli and Kristen Starin presented at RIT Faculty Senate on September 3 about working with cross-registered students and options available to make the classroom and office hours more accessible.
- Gary Behm, director of the NTID Center on Access Technology, has been selected to serve on Google DeepMind's AI Sign Language Advisory Committee.
- The Department of Access Services welcomes:
- New staff interpreters: Abigail Baker, Leon Decker, Elena Desai, Lila Elara, Elizabeth Evans, Maya Flores, Connor Nardocci, Taylor Parides, Gina Regatuso, Zahria Ruper, and Jordan Staley
- New employees through the Apprentice Interpreter Program: Margaret Boyle, Karaline Kendzora, Vee Kimble, Noah Kurz, Katelynn Parker, Mandy Rowton, Mimi Swetish, and Dannie Williams
- And many ASLIE student interpreters working on their practicum!
- NTID Government Relations welcomes Susan Wallace as NTID’s new government relations specialist.
- Bonnie Bastian, M.S., CCC-SLP was invited to be the featured educator in News Literacy Project’s Insider Spotlight for May 2026.
- Communications Studies and Services welcomes Mary Manning, a fourth-year audiology doctoral student at UT Dallas, and Darby Humann, a second-year speech-language student, also from UT Dallas.
- Communication Studies and Services has renewed its contract with ContinuEd for an additional two years to continue providing professional education. Through this partnership CSS has reached 11,204 professionals as of April 2026.
New faculty members, from left to right: Will Garrow, Xinbei Liu, and Sam Russotto.
