Welcoming and Inclusive Environment
Diversity is about creating an intentionally inclusive and equitable environment for everyone to come together and thrive. How do we accomplish this? By inviting you to be you.
RIT has assembled an exceptional community of people who hold a genuine appreciation for unique interests and points of view. We have built an inviting community defined by inclusion and equity.
We welcome all. We celebrate all.
Because RIT is a place where ideas prosper, perspectives enlighten, global understanding and citizenship flourish, and everyone can identify and fulfill their sense of purpose, meaning, value, and ambition.
You bring you, and we’ll provide the rest.
David C. Munson Jr,
President
Keith Jenkins,
Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion
Spaces to Thrive
The former Reading Room is now known as PRISM, the PRogressive Intersectional Space to Meet. All are welcome in this community gathering space. PRISM provides students with a space to create community, host discussions, and foster learning through educational and unique programming.
The center provides the RIT community with programming and educational opportunities, fosters an appreciation for diversity, and models a healthy campus climate and community through intergroup relations. Working as a community, the MOSAIC Center is more than just a home away from home, but a truly unique and transformative space on campus. Students can use the center as a presentation space, study space, place to hang out, or a place to relax and take a break between classes.
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Resource Center
The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Resource Center provides advocacy, education, and celebration for RIT community members of all genders, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
Expanding Educational Access
The RIT community is home to a lively mix of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing people. The Department of Access Services (DAS) is dedicated to making the campus an inclusive environment by providing access to communication between signing and non-signing members of our community. DAS offers interpreting, real-time captioning, and notetaking for students and faculty in all of the colleges of RIT. In addition to academic settings, DAS provides interpreting and captioning for student clubs, organizations, entertainment, and athletics, as well as for faculty and staff meetings and trainings.
The Disability Services Office facilitates equitable access to the full RIT experience for students with disabilities. RIT values disability as diversity. The Disability Services Office collaborates with campus partners to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus community. All students who identify as having a permanent or temporary disability are encouraged to work with the office to coordinate access and accommodations.
The ECCO Center —Engineers of Color Creating Opportunities—provides diversity initiatives and programs devoted to increasing the number of underrepresented African American, Latino American and Native American (AALANA) student engineers in the college. Supporting successful graduation rates, providing community service opportunities, and preparing these students for leadership roles within the engineering profession.
International Student Services
International Student Services assists individuals from more than 100 countries. We advise students, faculty, clubs and departments on immigration, cultural, academic and personal matters. They work closely with Global Union, and several other international student clubs.
Men of Character, Honor, and Ambition
MOCHA is a one-year program available for all male undergraduate students between their second and fifth years of study, with an emphasis on male students of color. It seeks to empower its members and develop their leadership and professional skills to improve academic success and prepare members to become successful leaders in their respective careers and communities.
Center for Engagement and Student Success
CESS is dedicated to offering academic support to RIT’s AALANA (African American, Latino American, and Native American) student population. Students who engage with CESS gain access to one-on-one coaching, leadership development opportunities, cultural diversity programs, and community building opportunities.
The Future Stewards Program is committed to increasing the number and success rate of Native scholars (Native American, Alaska Native, and First Nations) in science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as other areas of need in indigenous communities. By partnering with students, Tribal nations, organizations, and corporations, the Future Stewards Program aims to grant Native scholars the opportunity to develop professionally, personally, and culturally.
The Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars program provides incoming RIT freshmen who live in the city of Rochester and have graduated from the Rochester City School District with an opportunity to have their RIT tuition fully covered. Before their studies, incoming freshmen who have been accepted into the program participate in a fully funded, on-campus enrichment program that starts the summer before their first year. City Scholars also participate in weekly one-on-one meetings with an advisor in the Center for Engagement and Student Success and receive support, guidance, and access to a wide range of campus resources.
The Spectrum Support Program is built to provide support for RIT students with autism spectrum disorders. Our staff is dedicated to assist students in achieving academic, social, and career success, and seeks to help them grow in areas such as self-care, self-advocacy, social connection, and more. Through training and consultation, we work to create a culture of acceptance across campus.
Spirituality and Religious Life
Spirituality and Religious Life at RIT cultivates engaged and vibrant religious, secular, and spiritual communities on campus. This is a space for anyone and everyone who wants to explore existential questions about purpose, meaning, and value. There are eight major religious communities on campus.
RIT supports active duty military, veterans, and their dependents with the attention and services they deserve. Veterans and dependents can receive military benefits from a range of educational benefit programs. RIT’s Veteran’s Services Office connects service members and their families to resources, support, services, and more.
Women of Character, Honor, and Ambition
WOCHA is a one-year program available for all female undergraduate students in their second to fifth years of study, with an emphasis on women of color. Its goals are to provide women with opportunities to build their leadership abilities and gain access to professional mentorship and networking opportunities.
Women at RIT
We empower RIT women to advance their remarkable talents by connecting them to a range of resources and services. Combine their passion, success, and courageous spirit and the Women at RIT foster a community of support, guidance, and mentorship.
Check out the talents and accomplishments of Women at RIT.
Diversity and Inclusion News
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June 11, 2025
How Rochester Institute of Technology is powering a new generation of women leaders
Yahoo interviews Associate Professor Kathleen Lamkin-Kennard and members of the Hot Wheelz racing team for a story about women taking on leadership roles.
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June 5, 2025
Saunders Faculty and Staff Go Above and Beyond
Saunders College of Business recognizes the accomplishments of its outstanding employees.
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May 27, 2025
Thirteen seniors at partner high school headed to RIT
RIT’s partnership with Rochester Prep High School celebrated its 10-year anniversary.
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May 22, 2025
Deaf and hard-of-hearing people learn disaster response skills to bridge communication gap with first responders
WHEC-TV discusses the role of the Deaf CERT program, created in partnership with NTID, in equipping Rochester's deaf and hard of hearing residents with disaster response skills to bridge communication gaps with first responders.
