I hope the academic year is off to a strong start for you and that you share my excitement for all we will accomplish together this year. If you were unable to attend my State of the Institute address on September 11, I encourage you to watch it online and learn more about the progress we are making through our NTID Strategic Journey.

It is already a busy fall semester, with more opportunities ahead to share NTID’s work and momentum. In October, we will host our Foundation and Alumni Association boards, welcome our National Advisory Group, and Flavia will join me in spotlighting NTID at the RIT Board of Trustees meeting. I also will travel this fall to present at SERID, CSAVR, Cal-ED, and other conferences.

I hope to see many of you during Brick City Weekend. With so many activities and events planned, I encourage you to register, if you haven’t already, and take part in the many opportunities to learn, network, and have some fun.

Many of you know the RIT tradition of inviting new students at Fall Convocation to write down their dreams, fold the paper into an airplane, and launch it in the Gordon Field House. RIT Vice President for Student Affairs Sandy Johnson recently provided an overview of the hopes and dreams of this year’s incoming class, and I wanted to share a summary with you. “Airplane Dreams 2026” shows a student community driven by ambition, connection, creativity, purpose, and personal growth, with students’ dreams reflecting themes of belonging, well-being, academic persistence, creativity, innovation, service, financial security, and adventure.

The overall message of “Airplane Dreams 2026” is clear: students define success as more than grades or careers. They want to build meaningful lives by forming friendships, gaining confidence, graduating, pursuing purposeful work, creating art and technology, helping others, supporting their families, and experiencing the world. Their dreams are both aspirational and deeply human, reflecting a desire to be fulfilled, connected, and contributing members of the RIT community and society.

In sharing “Airplane Dreams 2026,” Sandy encouraged us to ask ourselves a question that mirrors what Dr. Carrie Lou Bloom invited us to consider during her presentation at the NTID Welcome event in August: “Are we helping students see and pursue what is possible for them—and ensuring that our policies, practices, and interactions create the conditions that support that journey?” Sandy also reminded us that we cannot make students’ dreams happen for them, but together, we can help make RIT/NTID the kind of place where students have every opportunity to discover, pursue, revise, and ultimately achieve their dreams.

Thank you for the many ways you support our students and help make their dreams possible. I am grateful for your work, your commitment, and the care you bring to our community. Have a wonderful year!

Warmly,
Carrie