Give Kudos

We are grateful to everyone who works at RIT for their remarkable and tireless work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are inspired by the dedication, ingenuity, and optimistic spirit you have demonstrated as we navigate a host of challenges and continuous change. So many of you have gone above and beyond to ensure the safety and success of our students and the whole RIT community.

If you have observed an employee or group of employees taking extraordinary measures to help maintain business operations, assist students and staff, and/or ensure the safety of the RIT community, help us recognize their efforts. Complete this short form and we will share the recognition.

Share Kudos

 

Submitted Recognitions

Jessica Hishman
Jessica has been working with and supporting our Infrastructure Team as part of the Fall Planning Task Force and has been doing an amazing job. She has been jumping over all the hurdles and knocking down all the road blocks to help us get the materials and services we needed to implement all of the great things we are doing on campus. Jessica has worked with suppliers to improve pricing and delivery dates. She has reached out and collaborated with the team members to make things happen.
- John Moore

RIT Values demonstrated: Innovation and Flexibility, Teamwork and Collaboration

Covid-19 Task Force Team/ Preparation of Student Arrival
As a parent I feel confident of the preparations, changes, readiness and massive undertaking the Covid -19 Task force team are doing to ensure everyone is safe in campus. You are doing a tremendous job. I'm sending my appreciation, please know we are thinking of you and we are forever thankful to be part of the Tiger family. Thank you for all you do to keep us safe. Together we are stronger.
- Glaris Carrazco- van Gelder

RIT Values demonstrated: Student Centeredness, Integrity and Ethics, Respect, Diversity and Pluralism ,Innovation and Flexibility, Teamwork and Collaboration

Rick Tolleson
Rick helped us locate and identify student project materials in various labs and workshops on campus. He took photos to send to students so they could see what had been left behind when they were sent home. It saved us a lot of hunting. He has also been on-campus to handle in-person tasks that we couldn't take care of remotely. We appreciate all this help to get us ready for fall.
- Elizabeth DeBartolo

RIT Values demonstrated: Innovation and Flexibility, Teamwork and Collaboration

Christie Leone
Christie is simply fantastic. From the very beginning of this crisis, she has been on top of all aspects of running the department including faculty, staff and student support. She anticipated problems before they happened and began working solutions on her own. She tirelessly responded to faculty and student needs in a professional and patient way, always working to diffuse the situation. This summer, she diligently reworked the schedule to meet faculty needs and maximize student experience.
- Risa Robinson

RIT Values demonstrated: Teamwork and Collaboration

Parking Servces
Just wanted to say Thank You to the Parking & Transportation Services staff. Your flexibility and customer service is greatly appreciated during this time of challenge!
- Megan Jaros

RIT Values demonstrated: Innovation and Flexibility

Monica Cormier
Monica has always been a helpful and cheerful person since I've started working with her. However during the time from mid-March until now, her willingness to help whenever I (and others) need it has been especially appreciated. Monica is a great collaborator when I need to think through something and I'm glad to have her as my co-worker.
- Katie Bush

RIT Values demonstrated: Innovation and Flexibility, Teamwork and Collaboration

Monica Cormier
Monica is forever present on all of the ILI/TLS seminars I have attended relating to course development. Either as lead presenter or as support to the main presenter, Monica clearly demonstrates her knowledge and willingness to help the RIT community - patiently! Thank you Monica,
- Walter Bubie

RIT Values demonstrated: Teamwork and Collaboration

Julian Thomas
When we knew that we could not offer regular classes, the staff and tech committee formed a 'zoomsquad' which quickly learned to use zoom. We then offered training sessions, first for our classroom wizards, [who then became part of the training team] for course leaders and finally our members. Julie Magnusson, Mary Bistrovich, and Sara Connor were enthusiastic and active members of this process. Their involvement was key to the overwhelming success of zoom classes with our members.
- Osher Institute Staff

RIT Values demonstrated: Integrity and Ethics, Respect, Diversity and Pluralism, Innovation and Flexibility, Teamwork and Collaboration

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
In collaboration with Osher Tech Committee co-chairs, Julian Thomas & Bill Brown, Osher staffers Mary Bistrovich, Sara Connor & Julie Magnuson lost no time in conducting “sandbox sessions” for members (average age of 75) to familiar themselves with Zoom to save the spring term & ensuring that Osher can continue to serve its members. Classes & social events via Zoom have shown that “lifelong learning” is alive & well! Thanks and kudos to the team for their dedication & for a job well done.
- Nita Genova

RIT Values demonstrated: Student Centeredness, Professional Development and Scholarship, Innovation and Flexibility, Teamwork and Collaboration

Di'Monique George
Di'Monique has made it easy for our club to stay informed and active during the spring semester and into the summer. She's our greatest advocate.
- Anonymous

RIT Values demonstrated: Student Centeredness

Physics Faculty and Staff
Thank you to all the people in the Physics department. The hard work and dedication I saw from professors, advisors, and support staff was incomparable. I found the people in the physics to be one of the most responsive groups on campus, from quick and clear responses to emails to lots of availability to schedule zoom sessions to help with anything. I always got the help I needed, both with current issues I had or planning my future semesters. Thank you for making this semester go smoothly.
- Ashley Martsen

RIT Values demonstrated: Student Centeredness, Innovation and Flexibility

Advisors in CETEMS
The academic advisors in the CETEMS department (Brittany and Mary) worked tirelessly to empower the students to succeed. From personal outreach during the semester to ensure a students health and well being, to multiple Zoom meetings, phone calls and texts with students. They advised on academic issues, mental health issues and personal concerns, trying to lift up our students to enable them to succeed. I know that this is the daily job of an advisor, but they have poured their hearts in.
- Maureen Valentine

RIT Values demonstrated: Student Centeredness, Innovation and Flexibility

Jennifer Lewis
Jennifer has gone above and beyond during the pandemic with assisting students and staff. Despite working from home, Jen has often volunteered to assist students and staff members with obtaining their belongings from the SLC. In addition she has arranged for a massive office move (18+ rooms) due to a fireproofing project at the SLC. This project has required her to individually schedule occupants to move their spaces safely, arrange for access to contractors, and frequently be on site assisting.
- David J Stevens

RIT Values demonstrated: Student Centeredness, Teamwork and Collaboration

Dr. Monica Sanford
1. Arranged zoom meetings and kept all the SRL in touch with each other
2. Helped us stay connected with the students
3. When the month of Ramadan fell during the lockdown, she did not let students feel they are stuck, rather went out of the way in helping them, even to the extent of arranging their meals so that they can carry on with their fasts.
4. She did a beautiful and touching virtual send off to them.
5. Last but not least, she elevated the image of RIT by her local TV Channel interview
- Abdurrauf Bawany

RIT Values demonstrated: Student Centeredness, Professional Development and Scholarship, Integrity and Ethics, Respect, Diversity and Pluralism, Innovation and Flexibility, Teamwork and Collaboration

Rona Skinner
In the first two weeks of COIVD-19 we were managing a rapidly evolving situation. Rona quickly developed new processes within StarRez to manage this new situation that allow students to communicate with us regarding their plans for the remainder of spring semester through our student portal. This update in StarRez also allowed us to manage the process of item retrieval and appointment setting. I would like to recognize her innovation, flexibility, teamwork, and collaboration throughout this time
- Michelle Teal

RIT Values demonstrated: Innovation and Flexibility, Teamwork and Collaboration

Beth DeBartolo
When the decision was made to shift to on line, Beth did what a leader should do, which is work the problem in an efficient, inclusive, and flexible way. The actions that needed to occur were described, options listed, opinions sought, choices made, and decisions executed. It was all straightforward with minimal drama or contention. Where the team of people she works with needed to be included, we were. Where it made sense for her to make a decision and tell us about it, she did.
- John Kaemmerlen

RIT Values demonstrated: Student Centeredness, Innovation and Flexibility, Teamwork and Collaboration

Kim Vent
I started my career with RIT only a few weeks before we went remote due to the virus, so I often need some assistance with tasks I am given. Kim is always ready and willing to help me, no matter how much work she has on her plate. She is very experienced and knowledgeable, and I appreciate her help so much!
- Jaime Berthold

RIT Values demonstrated: Teamwork and Collaboration

Zilani (Gileani) Sarkar, Office Assistant at RIT Dubai
Zilani (Gileani) is a very important member of the RIT Dubai team. He works well with everyone and always has a big smile, even when he is extremely busy. He is always ready to help in his kind way, especially during the covid-19 situation with his support for students, staff and faculty.
- Kelly Gosa

RIT Values demonstrated: Student Centeredness, Integrity and Ethics, Respect, Diversity and Pluralism, Teamwork and Collaboration

HUB Print team
Thank you to Mary Ellen Gauntlett and her team at the HUB. Marketing and Admissions have produced many print materials since we've been working from home, and the HUB has been a great partner. (And they can't work from home, and are on reduced staffing as they practice social distancing.) Because of new and urgent print campaigns, the team has had to estimate jobs super fast, coordinate complex, several-item mailings, print and mail around the world in record time. Kudos to the HUB!
- Ellen Shady

RIT Values demonstrated: Innovation and Flexibility, Teamwork and Collaboration

University Creative Writing and Design Services
A big thank you to the writers, designers, and print buyers in Marketing & Communications! Right after the impact of the approaching coronavirus became clear, entire campaigns were initiated and executed by this team at breakneck speed. An enormous amount of work (most often, it seemed, over weekends and nights) was brainstormed, plotted out, revised, revised again, beautifully written and designed, estimated and produced--on time. I'm so grateful to be working with such talent and expertise.
- Ellen Shady

RIT Values demonstrated: Innovation and Flexibility, Teamwork and Collaboration