Leah Mackin, Assistant Director of Student Engagement, College of Engineering Technology

4 years.

As assistant director of Student Engagement in the College of Engineering Technology, I design and implement programming that supports student success through social connection, professional development, and leadership. I manage an amazing team of student leaders who contribute to our CET community as graduate assistants, peer mentors, Student Success and Engagement Assistants, and student group executive board members.

My work is most successful with collaboration from my colleagues in the CET Dean’s Office, Academic Advising, and across the College departments. Beyond CET, I am grateful for strong connections across the university to align our shared goals for student success through cross promotion and co-hosted programming. Additionally, I serve on the University Advisory Committee on Gender-Related Experience and I usually teach one course per semester as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Art and Design.

Working on the staff side in higher education has provided me with an opportunity to ensure that learning and personal growth is celebrated both inside and outside the classroom. Also, I’ve reached a point in my time here at RIT where I’ve seen students grow from their first day at orientation all the way to walking across the stage at commencement. It’s bittersweet! Happy to celebrate their achievements, but a little sad to see them go!

Programs like Women in Technology (WIT) and CET CARES are important because we know that students who engage in college-supported extracurriculars and student-run organizations are more likely to achieve academic success, graduate on time, and transition into their careers with confidence.

My message to students: There is a place for you here! RIT offers resources designed specifically for you. Whether you feel like just one person in the sea of students on the Quarter Mile, or you find yourself as the only person with your specific identity or background in a classroom, we want you to know that you belong. Also, your engagement helps to build our vibrant community! Want to get involved? Reach out! Send me an email or pop by my office when the door is open to say hi.

I went to art school—twice! My background is in the arts, specifically book arts and printmaking. After finishing my bachelor’s, I worked as a book and paper conservation tech in a research library, where I eventually began overseeing interns and volunteers. This sparked a passion for teaching, leading me to pursue an MFA in Interdisciplinary Studio Art. During that time, I leaned into pedagogy with graduate teaching assistantships and serving as an instructor of record.

After a few years of teaching and pursuing long-term art projects, I landed a fellowship at a small liberal arts college in the Finger Lakes. There, I directed a public-facing academic center, taught classes, and built public programming in the Book Arts. I later moved to Rochester and joined the RIT community, first as an adjunct faculty member teaching book arts courses in CAD, and eventually transitioning into student engagement within CET.

People are often curious about how a background in the arts informs student support. For me, the connection is clear: my work is grounded in the power of collective knowledge. Studying printmaking and book arts taught me the responsibility of maintaining a communal studio space. In a shared print shop—much like the labs and studios here at RIT—success depends on building community trust, sharing resources, communicating clearly, and lending a hand. I carry that "studio mentality" into everything I do and believe that generosity of information and access allows all of us to thrive.

Be open to exploring beyond the predetermined pathway you think you should be on. Learn about the professional journeys of your colleagues and how they’ve likely embraced change or pivoted at some point in their career.

As I’ve mentioned, collaboration is at the heart of my work, and as an artist, I have a long history of partnering with women artists. This month, I’m especially proud to be finishing a three-year collaborative artists’ book project with a cohort of women letterpress printers. This initiative was led by RIT’s own Amelia Hugill-Fontanel. It’s these kinds of creative and professional partnerships that continue to influence my path and inspire the community-building I do every day.

The five minutes of spring, all of fall, and most of summer for lake-beach days and swimming holes.

U-turn! What if I see a cute therapy dog on campus or a snarky club flyer that I need to take a pic of?

My husband and I have a 13-year-old adopted cat called Troubles. She came with the name and has lived up to it.

Probably Ithaca, where we lived prior to Rochester. See a waterfall or three on a beautiful hike, relax at a brewery, hit up the Farmer’s Market… Pretty dreamy.

Heated. Rivalry.

My sister, hands down! She typically takes lead on meals for family gatherings and barely lets anyone lay a finger on anything. One thing she makes that I'm obsessed with is homemade labneh in za'atar olive oil.

I went to The University of the Arts in Philadelphia for my bachelor’s in fine arts and earned an MFA from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. In undergrad, I enjoyed the close-knit relationships with my fellow undergrads, graduate students in the corresponding grad program, and incredible faculty - so many folks I still hold as friends and mentors after 20 (!) years. From my graduate program, I enjoyed the opposite environment! Both SAIC and Chicago were so much bigger. I loved the opportunity to participate in giant critique seminars, connect with grad advisors from all over the institution, and explore a new-to-me city.

Walking! When possible, outside. When not possible, even just taking a quick loop around a building (or through the tunnels here on campus) can be a good break.

As a kid, I had the opportunity to take a ride in one of the Goodyear blimps.

rit.edu/aes

2 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623  

View Email Online | Sign Up Form | Unsubscribe