RG Striffler, a Political Science graduate, left RIT as a compassionate, driven student leader whose impact reached across academics, residential life, and campus community.

RG Striffler, a Political Science graduate, left RIT as a compassionate, driven student leader whose impact reached across academics, residential life, and campus community.

Striffler chose to study Political Science because they cared deeply about people and the systems that shape daily life.

“Politics is intertwined with everyday life,” Striffler said. “When you pay for gas, your gas prices are tied to current policy. Media is tied to political agendas. Education — what people are or can’t learn about — is tied to politics. It just seemed like the right thing to do.”

In addition to majoring in Political Science, Striffler minored in Journalism and Environmental Science, two fields they saw as closely connected to their academic focus.

“It’s like a cycle,” Striffler said. “Everything goes into each other — major and minor. How we consider environmental problems, how we solve them, or how things happen goes along with politics. Journalism historically is a symbiotic pairing with politics — presidential scandals, how the media influences who people vote for, core issues.”

While studying liberal arts at a technical university, Striffler embraced the diverse perspectives, close faculty relationships, and individualized attention that came with being part of a smaller academic community.

“There’s an advantage,” Striffler said. “Not many people are focused on what you’re focused on, so you get the opportunity to have more individualized attention from professors.”

For their senior capstone research, Striffler explored data-centered AI and policy, a topic that aligned closely with their future plans. They planned to pursue a master’s degree in Science, Technology, and Public Policy.

One of Striffler’s favorite courses was Terrorism and Political Violence with Professor Alves-Pimenta. They were especially proud of the work they completed in that class and the way it challenged them to think critically about complex global issues.

Outside the classroom, Striffler played a meaningful role in Residential Life as a resident advisor, helping create a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for students living on campus. Their work earned them four awards: Team Player on Staff, Staff Member of the Year, Humble Hero, and the Excellence in Student Life Award from Student Affairs.

Striffler also contributed to RIT’s Goodbye, Goodbuy program, which collects usable items during move-out and gives them a second life.

“It helps give things a second or third life and benefits international students, who often can’t bring much with them, like winter coats and furniture,” Striffler said.

Beyond Residential Life, Striffler served as president of RIT Drumline for 2026 and was proud of what the group accomplished during their two years as a member. One of their favorite memories was when the drumline “broke 70” at a competition, a long-standing goal for the group.

Looking back on their time at RIT, Striffler said they would tell their first-year self: “Things happen as they are meant to, and make the best of the bad.”

Striffler also expressed gratitude to the faculty and staff members who supported them throughout their RIT journey, including Marcia Beattie, their advisor; Professor Alves-Pimenta; Professor Sutton of Political Science; and Shawn Woods, their former Residential Life supervisor.