News
Donna Burnette

RIT honored the service and dedication of its employees with the Presidential Awards for Outstanding Staff ceremony March 22. The annual awards are presented to staff members who exemplify outstanding service and dedication to the university and who exhibit a high degree of personal ethics and integrity while consistently demonstrating a strong commitment to student success.

While Imagine RIT aims to promote student work from those attending the university, middle school students had the opportunity in the past to also highlight science displays and other projects they have worked on through the Science and Technology Entry Program administered by the K-12 University Center at Rochester Institute of Technology. The K-12 center works to promote youth experiences at the annual festival that attracts about 30,000 guests a year to learn more – and interact with – students on campus who are highlighting the work they’ve done throughout the school year in a variety of studies.

The Army Educational Outreach Program Apprenticeships and Fellowships team was nominated for a 2022 Presidential Award for Outstanding Staff at Rochester Institute of Technology. Awards will be announced at a ceremony on March 22. Its director, who is also the executive director of RIT's K-12 University Center, was nominated for an individual award.

The Chronicle of Higher Education features RIT’s Career Ready Bootcamp, led by RIT's Spectrum Support Program. (This content requires a subscription to view.)

The K-12 University Center at RIT& runs the Apprenticeships and Fellowships division of the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), helping high school students through post-doctoral students find positions at research labs and centers affiliated with the U.S. Army and with universities across the U.S.

Representatives from the U.S. Army look at the K-12 University Center at Rochester Institute of Technology as a model in its relationship with apprenticeships and fellowships through the Army Educational Outreach Program. That’s due to the passion of staff who work to connect with and provide the best STEM opportunities possible for high school through postdoctoral individuals within the program, while also positively connecting with its partners.

For staff of the Army Educational Outreach Program’s apprenticeships and fellowships, attending conferences is about being immersed in various communities to see how the program can support already-incredible STEM innovators and those aspiring to make a difference with the work they’re passionate about. The U.S. Army-funded program is based at the K-12 University Center at Rochester Institute of Technology.

The K-12 University Center at Rochester Institute of Technology was nominated for the 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for supporting members of the armed forces who serve or who have served in the guard or reserve. According to the award website, it is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers.

June 27, 2023 will mark the 10-year anniversary of the Rochester Institute of Technology and Rochester Prep High School partnership – aimed at providing post-secondary educational opportunities to students through RIT, and resources that help with college readiness and the goal toward a 100 percent graduation rate.

RIT’s K-12 University Center hosted an event with the campus admissions office to better expose Rochester Prep High School seniors to various programs offered at the university. It started with a presentation and tour of campus, followed by lunch, and a question-and-answer session with RIT students.

This summer, RIT’s youth summer camps will be back in person for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. RIT will be offering a variety of youth residential and day camps.

RIT’s summer day camp programs offer young learners a foray into astrophysics, cybersecurity, energy and the environment, and college readiness. While RIT’s regular in-person Camp Tiger is on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, RIT’s K-12 University Center is providing select programs via a secure virtual platform through RIT’s Innovative Learning Institute.