RIT recognizes newest class of PI Millionaires

The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has awarded Senior Lecturer Ahndraya Parlato a 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship. According to the foundation, this year’s fellowships were granted to a “distinguished and diverse group of culture-creators working across 52 disciplines.” Parlato, who has taught photography in RIT’s College of Art and Design for 13 years, is one of 188 recipients of Guggenheim fellowships this year. The support of the fellowship will allow her to further pursue her ongoing photography project, TIME TO KILL, which will be released as a book by Mack Books. “I am incredibly grateful to both the Guggenheim Foundation and RIT for giving me the dedicated time and resources to work on my project,” said Parlato. “I am, of course, honored to be in the company of so many amazing photographers who have received this fellowship before me.” TIME TO KILL is a body of work that explores ideas around gender, aging, and motherhood using photography and text. The photographs include portraits of women between the ages of 55 and 75, minor visual tricks or illusions, and still lifes of precariously-balanced objects and of flora as they move from nascence into states of decomposition. “Few women depicted in the history of art are middle-aged, a period when women’s experience is often markedly different than that of men. This is predicated on a patriarchal culture obsessed with youth, which still tends to value women most for their attractiveness,” Parlato explained. “As a woman not quite yet in this stage of life, I believe this work is an exercise in psychological projection. It carves out a space where I can consider both my fears and fantasies around aging, and to think through the scarier elements of possible irrelevancy and unattractiveness as well as the potentially freeing elements that invisibility might allow me.” Chosen through a rigorous application and peer-review process from a pool of almost 3,000 applicants, the 2024 Guggenheim Fellows were selected on the basis of prior career achievement and exceptional promise, according to the foundation’s website. As established in 1925 by founder Sen. Simon Guggenheim, each Fellow receives a stipend to pursue independent work at the highest level under “the freest possible conditions.” In all, 52 scholarly disciplines and artistic fields, 84 academic institutions, 38 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and four Canadian provinces are represented by the 2024 Fellows, who range in age from 28 to 89. Many of their projects directly respond to timely issues such as democracy and politics, identity, disability activism, machine learning, incarceration, climate change and community. Since its founding in 1925, the foundation has awarded over $400 million in fellowships to more than 19,000 Fellows. Since its establishment, the foundation has granted over $400 million in fellowships to more than 19,000 individuals. The broad range of fields of study is a unique characteristic of the fellowship program. For more information, go to the foundation's website. To view more of Parlato’s work, go to her portfolio website or her Instagram.          

For Jeremy Zehr, volunteering at Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival gives him the chance to give back to the university in a unique way. Zehr, a captioning coordinator for the College of Art and Design, spends the festival as a people mover, driving attendees across campus in a golf cart. ‌ Provided Jeremy Zehr "It’s a great event and I love volunteering. I love being part of the RIT community, in general, and being a people mover is a great way for me to get to know the campus visitors,” he said. “We have a very talented crop of individuals that have the privilege of coming to this university to learn new skills, and it makes me proud to be a member of this community to see what they are doing.” The festival, which returns to campus on April 27, requires an extraordinary amount of support to run smoothly. RIT staff members volunteer at the festival to assist the university in creating an unforgettable event each year by handing out welcome bags, supervising parking lots, and showing campus visitors around the bustling festival, among other duties. Volunteers also have the opportunity to experience the festivities themselves and see the projects students, faculty, and staff put on display. ‌ RIT Karel Shapiro Karel Shapiro, an administrative assistant in the Office of the Provost, says that volunteering at Imagine RIT builds camaraderie for those on campus.‌ “I like the sense of community that being a true Tiger gives me. I also enjoy interacting with other employees that I otherwise would not interact with throughout the course of my workday,” Shapiro says. Brendon Strowe, Library Applications Developer at RIT Libraries, also volunteers at Imagine, helping as part of the planning committee and with communications on the day of the festival. ‌ Provided Brendon Strowe “I think volunteering is important because it gives staff an opportunity to interact with our students and gain an understanding into the work students are doing in the classroom and also using what they've learned to do something they’re passionate about,” Strowe says.‌ More than 200 staff volunteers annually commit their time to Imagine RIT, according to Ann Ielapi, senior director for Events and Conferences and Imagine RIT director. “I love seeing the internal RIT community come together and pull off something as magnificent as Imagine and to see the students light up when they’re able to display their projects, their research, their performing arts, their robotics, whatever it may be. It’s just an incredible opportunity for them to get to engage with the public and to talk about things that they’re passionate about,” she said. Ielapi also believes that volunteering at Imagine RIT is the embodiment of a teambuilding opportunity. “In the past, we’ve had entire offices, cohorts of people, volunteer together and make a whole day out of it. That camaraderie related to working with your colleagues and peers is really a great experience as well,” Ielapi said. By the Numbers Nearly 400 exhibits—50 more than last year—will be on display Saturday during Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival, featuring the work of more than 2,800 students, faculty, and staff.

Rochester Institute of Technology’s College of Liberal Arts and University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education have established new 3+2 and 4+1 admissions agreements, providing RIT undergraduate students with expedited pathways to launch their careers in teaching, higher education, or counseling. These agreements streamline the process for eligible students to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees within a five-year timeframe. In the 3+2 program, RIT students admitted and enrolled through this pathway will complete all required coursework for undergraduate majors in three years. This paves the way for a smooth transition to the Warner School’s mental health counseling and school counseling master’s programs. The first year at the Warner School concurrently fulfills the final year of their bachelor’s degree. Similarly, the 4+1 program offers RIT undergraduate students the opportunity to finish all coursework for their undergraduate major within four years as planned. However, students in qualifying bachelor’s degree programs at RIT can also begin graduate-level coursework in their fourth year, earning six credits toward their master’s degree in either higher education or a teacher preparation program at the Warner School. “This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to enrich the student experience at RIT,” said John Smithgall, assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “These programs play a crucial role in expanding students’ perspectives about what they can achieve in terms of their educational and career aspirations. This is particularly significant in dismantling barriers and stereotypes about certain professions, empowering students to pursue their passions and make significant contributions to their chosen fields.” Under the terms of the agreement, RIT students who meet the Warner School’s admissions requirements and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 in their third year for the 3+2 program and fourth year for the 4+1 program can obtain both degrees in five years. Moreover, students will benefit from tuition scholarships toward their qualifying graduate degree programs at the Warner School. “We are thrilled to partner with RIT in offering these innovative admissions pathways,” says Sarah Peyre, dean of the Warner School. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing students with accessible and accelerated pathways to pursue their passions for teaching, higher education, and counseling. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to empower students to excel in their academic journey and make meaningful contributions to their communities.” RIT’s College of Liberal Arts Interim Dean Kelly Norris Martin adds, “We have an incredibly diverse community of students in the College of Liberal Arts who all have unique visions for their futures. Through this new partnership, we’re able to expand the opportunities available to our students so they can follow their passions. Additionally, these new educational pathways can better prepare our students to fill the increased need for teachers and counselors in our communities.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for counselors and teachers are expected to increase through 2031. Whether individuals aspire to work in a K-12 school or clinical setting, or at the higher education level, RIT can provide students with a head start in becoming specialized educators or counselors. RIT’s culture of innovation and forward-thinking use of technology equips students to be adept at navigating and applying technological learning resources and tools to help their future students and clients excel. From regional K-12 schools to top higher education and healthcare institutions, the Warner School’s graduate programs further prepare students to apply their comprehensive insights in classrooms, clinics, postsecondary institutions and communities worldwide to lead change for all. For more than 65 years, the Warner School has advanced the fields of education and counseling through innovative theories, experiences and leadership. For more information about the accelerated pathways to careers in teaching, counseling and higher education, go to the Warner School’s partnerships program page or RIT’s College of Liberal Arts website.

RIT President David Munson will retire in 2025 after leading the university for eight years and capping an illustrious 40-plus-year career in higher education. His last day in office will be June 30, 2025. Munson announced his intentions to retire to the Rochester Institute of Technology community April 23 after informing the Board of Trustees and RIT leadership organizations. “Over the next year, I intend to remain highly focused on the job at hand. We will have opportunities later to celebrate our collective work in establishing RIT as the premier university in the nation working at the intersection of technology, the arts, and design,” Munson said. “As we have pursued this mission together, I have been blessed with your ideas, passion, hard work, and friendship. I’m also thankful for the support of my wife, Nancy, for taking a leap of faith and assuming an integral role on this journey.” Munson joined RIT in 2017 after serving as dean of engineering for the University of Michigan for a decade. RIT Board of Trustees Chairman Jeffrey Harris ’75 praised Munson for propelling RIT into a leading research university with national and international impact and influence. "Under Dave’s leadership, RIT’s momentum continues to accelerate as the leading university that aligns the power of science, technology, the arts, and design with experiential learning to drive innovation,” said Harris. “We’ve accomplished the goals that we set in our 2025 strategic plan, Greatness through Difference, and Dave has set the table for a seamless transition next year.” Harris added: “On behalf of the RIT Board of Trustees, I extend our deepest gratitude to President Munson for his leadership and unwavering dedication to our faculty and students.  His strategic vision creates a legacy that will define our university for years to come.” Under Munson’s leadership, RIT:Reached new heights with enrollment, with the university now serving a record 20,570 students, including growth at international campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. Completed a $1 billion-plus blended campaign—“Transforming RIT”—to raise money for scholarships, endowed professors, facilities, and more. Launched a performing arts program that now includes more than 1,800 performing arts scholars. Completed and began major facility projects to enhance the student experience, including: The SHED (Student Hall for Exploration and Development). Saunders College of Business expansion. ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute. Music Performance Theater, scheduled to open in 2025. A research building to expand RIT’s growing research portfolio with completion in the fall. Athletic facilities, including Tiger Stadium. Endured and progressed during a global pandemic, allowing RIT to remain financially stable and continue with its strategic plan. Harris said the trustees are preparing for a seamless transition and will engage students, faculty, and staff during the search. Founded in 1829, the university is home to 20,570 students from all 50 states and more than 100 foreign countries. This includes campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. More than 148,000 RIT Tiger alumni are shaping and improving the world. RIT is the third largest producer of undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math among all private universities in the U.S. RIT also is home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and has one of the oldest and largest cooperative education programs in the country. In 2023, sponsored research reached $94 million, while the university’s endowment now stands at more than $1 billion.

A highlight of this year’s Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival takes place one day before thousands of visitors descend on campus. The annual Futurists Symposium, featuring a unique collection of the university’s alumni and faculty innovators, will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 26, in the Wegmans Theater, MAGIC Spell Studios. Panelists will showcase their expertise on a variety of topics, followed by a question-and-answer session. Moderated by WXXI-AM Connections host Evan Dawson, the symposium will feature four panelists. ‌ Provided Robert Morreale Robert Morreale ’92 (medical illustration), MST ’93 (visual arts-all grades) is senior division chair for Immersive and Experiential Learning and assistant professor of biomedical communications at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Morreale is a board certified medical illustrator and a fellow of the Association of Medical Illustrators. His career has included leadership roles at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Cleveland Clinic. His scholarly work has focused on advancing the use of innovative visual communication techniques to enhance medical education, patient care, and scientific research. His current work focuses on revolutionizing medical education and healthcare workforce training through immersive and experiential learning strategies and the use of AR/VR and spatial computing to design hands-on experiences with unparalleled fidelity. ‌ Provided Jeyhan Kartaltepe Jeyhan Kartaltepe, associate professor, RIT School of Physics and Astronomy, and director for the Laboratory for Multiwavelength Astrophysics, is an expert in galaxy formation and evolution. She works to understand how the first stars and galaxies in the universe formed and how various physical processes shaped their transformation into today’s galaxies. She is the principal investigator of COSMOS-Web, the largest James Webb Space Telescope program observed in its first two years of operation, which is mapping out a large area of the sky in infrared to study how galaxies in the early universe were formed. She is also a leading co-investigator on the CEERS program, one of the first programs to obtain observations, as well the principal investigator of POPPIES, a newly approved JWST program that will obtain spectroscopy for thousands of galaxies in the early universe. ‌ Provided Chukwuma Morah Chukwuma “ChuBoi” Morah ’09 (industrial engineering), is chief marketing officer for FUT.GG, a gaming data startup company with more than 7.5 million users. His passion for gaming led him to become the community and influencer manager for the EA SPORTS FIFA games in 2012. He has amassed over 1.1 million social media followers and has worked with brands including Adidas, Coca-Cola, and PlayStation.   ‌ Provided Karen Roth Karen E. Roth ’06 (software engineering) is president of the Society of Women Engineers and deputy director for AFWERX, which brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and startups to address the most pressing challenges of the Department of the Air Force. Roth is a 2024 Distinguished Alumni awardee representing the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. As part of AFWERX, she leads strategy and execution across a $1.3 billion portfolio, which serves to expand the defense industrial base for advanced technologies. Previously, she served as a chief engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate, ensuring technical excellence on the international stage. Her previous work led to the creation of the Innovare Alliance, a global community of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs converging on Air Force technology interests and open innovation. “Our faculty and alumni are doing amazing things at the intersection of technology, the arts, and design,” said Orlando Ortiz ’04 (robotics and manufacturing engineering technology) ’08 (MBA), president of the RIT Alumni Association. “The experts gathered for the symposium demonstrate the extent of university’s reach and commitment to multidisciplinary work. I’m looking forward to hearing their personal stories about the work they do, innovations they have contributed to, and their outlook for the future of their industries and of RIT.” The symposium, which is open to the public, is sponsored by Rochester Regional Health, Julia K Caters, Micron, Paychex, WXXI, and Liberty Mutual. The Imagine RIT festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 27, will showcase the creative and innovative spirit of RIT students, faculty, and staff through more than 400 exhibits.

It’s a banner year for Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival, and one of the most anticipated exhibits is the building it inspired—the SHED. Visitors who attended Imagine RIT last April saw the building under construction and surrounded by fencing. Now, the public is invited to walk through the maker- and performing arts spaces, and the large-scale classrooms that make the SHED a one-of-a-kind place on campus. Early in his administration, RIT President David Munson identified the intersection of technology, the arts, and design as a unique RIT quality. He envisioned a multi-use building to display RIT’s student creativity during Imagine RIT and all year round. His idea became the SHED and “the new heartbeat of campus.” The facility opened last fall, and this is its Imagine RIT debut. “The SHED is RIT on display by nature of its design and architecture, its glass, and its proximity on campus,” said Michael Buffalin, SHED makerspace director. Buffalin described a late evening in the SHED that would have made Munson smile. “We had a group practicing ballroom dancing in the atrium on the A-level next to students juggling, and a performance team having a meeting in the club space, and then other students were working in the makerspace,” Buffalin said. “Having all that activity within arms’ reach proved the president’s vision and proved that we could do Imagine RIT objectives all year round.” Interdisciplinary learning thrives in the SHED, according to Sandi Connelly, principal lecturer in the Thomas H Gosnell School of Life Sciences, and interim associate director at the Center for Teaching and Learning. “The innovative design and collaborative spaces encourage cross-pollination of ideas and students to engage in hands-on projects, research, and experiential learning—all of which will be on full display in the SHED at Imagine RIT.” Tiffany Brodner, SHED executive director, and Buffalin selected the 28 exhibits that will be in the SHED this year. The exhibitors include capstone design teams, a science fair on the third floor, the RIT-Genesee Valley Country Museum Partnership, and the RIT Archives StoryBooth collection in the Brooks H. Bower Maker Showcase. A variety of performances throughout the SHED complex will add another dimension to Imagine RIT. The School of Performing Arts has taken advantage of the SHED’s flexible performing arts spaces under one roof, according to director of operations Ben Willmott. He is responsible for curating the campuswide performances during this year’s Imagine RIT festival on behalf of the school. RIT students, including many Performing Arts Scholars will present a Broadway musical revue in the Sklarsky Glass Box Theater, demonstrate different dance styles in the dance studio, and - in the Munson Music Loft - exhibit musical instruments they invented. The SHED has helped to instill the performing arts deeper within the campus culture. “For the first time ever, due to the introduction of the SHED, performing arts will be showcased during Imagine RIT in a highly visible, dynamic, and engaging manner on campus,” Willmott said.