Storytelling, Archives, and Finding a Voice: Elle-Anna Parrotta Reflects on her Journey

From creating comics to studying the Great Thinkers or learning to apply the latest approaches to digital storytelling, Parrotta took advantage of RIT’s distinctively broad range of options and experiences. The flexible curriculum of her College of Liberal Arts programs made double majoring in both English and Philosophy possible.

Now, as she finishes up her RIT chapter, she reflects on how what might seem like unrelated or divergent paths have actually helped identify her career goals; grow as a learner, a creative, and a leader; and set her up for an amazing next step—grad school at the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York City.  

Meet Elle-Anna Parrotta

How did you decide on your major and did your interests change over time?

My interests have always been broad. I wanted to take drawing, art history, music theory—everything. I eventually settled on English because at the core of everything I love is storytelling. Whether it’s music, language, or drawing comics, storytelling is at the center. I actually chose RIT over a traditional liberal arts school because I wanted to see how humanities meshed with technology, like video games and digital literature.

The philosophy major was a happy accident. I took an intro class at MCC just to fulfill a Gen Ed requirement. My professor, Matthew Hachee, was so engaging and pushed me to pursue it as a full major. I wouldn’t be here without that push.

How has studying a liberal arts discipline at a technical university prepared you for your next steps?

It’s a bit ironic—I’m leaving a tech school with a humanities degree to go to an art institute (Pratt) for a techie degree (Information Science). But being at RIT allowed me to take classes like Text & Code (ENG 215) and Virtual Worlds (ENGL 379). I learned Unreal Engine in an English class! We weren’t just making games; we were talking about how design choices impact narrative.

The biggest impact, though, was the Cary Graphic Arts Collection. Seeing the Copernicus heliocentric model and holding that history in my hands blew me away. It made me want to go into library science so I can be the person who puts those objects into other people’s hands and gives them that "whoa" experience.

What’s your favorite memory from your time at RIT?

Definitely serving as the student mediator for the comic artists' discussion with Thien Pham, Brianna Loewinsohn, and Gene Luen Yang. As a comic artist myself, having the chance to ask them personal questions before the event was incredible. I’m not a CAD [College of Art and Design] student, and sometimes I felt "trapped" in the Liberal Arts building, so having RIT highlight comic arts and letting me participate in that space was a dream. It showed me that there’s a place for my creative passions within my professional path.

Advice for your younger self—if you could go back to first-year, what would you say?

Don’t commute—live on campus! I spent my first years hyper-focused on academics, driving 20 minutes each way, going to class, and then going straight home. I didn't join clubs or meet people. In my final year, I lived on campus and my world opened up.

I’d also say: talk to people on the elevator. It’s awkward and feels like a social experiment when you're packed like sardines in Wallace, but saying "hi" led to so many friends. Focus on your grades, sure, but don't make them the "end-all, be-all." The experience of the college culture is just as valuable as the 100% on a paper.

What’s one skill you gained at RIT that you think will be most valuable in your career?

The courage to put myself out there. In studio art classes and in my interactions with professors like Dr. Daniel Worden, I realized that putting yourself out there is more important than being perfect. If I hadn't been open about my passion for comics, I never would have been invited to moderate that panel or participate in the Rochester Indie Comics Expo. Being vulnerable and showing people who you are invites them to help you reach your goals.

For supporting you along your RIT journey, is there anyone you’d like to thank?

I wouldn’t be here without the HEOP and EOP programs. As a first-generation college student, those programs provided the financial aid and the counseling I needed to survive. I want to thank Jess Austin at RIT and Nicole Reinholtz at MCC for their support.

I also owe so much to Dr. Anne Royston and Dr. Robert Glick, who made me feel at home at a tech institute when I felt out of my depth, and Dr. Daniel Worden, who helped me realize that my love for art history and comics could lead to a career in archives. Finally, I’ll always be grateful to the librarians at the Cary Collection for showing me what my future could look like.