October 2026

October is always one of the busiest months of the year on campus. RIT/NTID hosted a variety of exciting events and activities, including Deaf Culture Awareness Day, the NTID Career Fair, the 25^th Anniversary of Dyer Arts Center, Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend, and more. 

RIT/NTID hosted its 4^th annual Deaf Culture Awareness Day at Seneca Park Zoo on Saturday, October 3 to promote awareness of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community and celebrate accessibility.

Students, staff, faculty, and alumni in the RIT/NTID community had the opportunity to explore the Zoo while engaging with Deaf culture through interactive activities, accessible programming, and educational opportunities. The event featured ASL Story Time, family-friendly interactive activities, and technology demonstrations by Sign Speak. 

Senior RIT/NTID ASLIE Interpreting students provided pro bono interpreting throughout the day, gaining valuable real-world experience while supporting accessibility across the event.

On October 7, the NTID Co-op and Career Center (NCCC) hosted its 25^th annual Career Fair at Lyndon Baines Johnson Hall, where students had the opportunity to meet, connect and network with employers from a wide range of industries across the country to seek co-op and career opportunities.

The event brought 28 employers to RIT/NTID campus to recruit deaf and hard-of-hearing students, graduates, and alumni, as well as ASLIE students and graduates seeking internships and employment opportunities. Prior to the event, NCCC presented two employers, Jabil and James Madison University, with the NTID Outstanding Employer Partner Award in recognition of their commitment to inclusive hiring and creating job opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. 

For students or recent graduates who missed the fair, NCCC continues to offer resources for career preparation, resume-building support, and job placement assistance. Students are encouraged to update their resume and LinkedIn profile and stay connected with NCCC employment advisors for assistance with job search strategies and resources. 

RIT’s Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend is a longstanding tradition that welcomes thousands of students, alumni, staff, families, and friends back to campus to enjoy a variety of exciting events, celebrate school traditions, and show their Tiger pride.

During the homecoming weekend, RIT/NTID celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the Dyer Arts Center as part of “Deaf Creators Festival” reception in partnership with NTID Performing Arts, which featured a visual storytelling performance by artist Dack Virnig in Panara Theatre. The RIT/NTID Alumni Relations team hosted an alumni tailgate gathering before the RIT men’s hockey game downtown. 

Limited literacy and educational resources are global issues facing deaf youth in developing countries. In August 2026, RIT/NTID alum Erica Israel ’11 (psychology), ’14 (school psychology) joined an annual trip with Visions Global Empowerment (VGE) to Ethiopia with a mission to help ensure that deaf children gain access to language, community, and education. 

An estimated 5 million deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals face many challenges, including barriers to education, employment, and social inclusion. Israel was inspired by VGE’s efforts to improve access to education and well-being for deaf populations significantly affected by discrimination—specifically gender inequities and disabilities. 

“I had initially heard about the non-profit organization, Visions Global Empowerment, from my colleague who introduced me to their organization,” Israel said. “While they have several projects in different countries, their work at Visions Academy School for the Deaf in Hawassa, Ethiopia, caught my attention for obvious reasons.”

Read to learn more about Israel’s trip to Ethiopia.

RIT/NTID alum Dhruvesh Patel ’22 (business management) and ’24 (business administration) approached his academic work with a customer-focused mindset, which has helped him find his career success at the PNC Financial Services Group.

He credits his education at RIT for providing him with hands-on learning opportunities through coursework, simulation games, and capstone projects that reflected workplace experiences. He gained real-world business work experience through cooperative education (co-op) assignments with companies, including the Simone Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and PNC.

After graduating with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration, Patel landed a job at PNC as a product innovation development analyst in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he conducted data analysis to research and identify client needs for product improvements. He was recently promoted to a new role as a senior business analyst on the SMB Product Delivery Team.

Read to learn more about Patel’s success at PNC.

NTID Student Life Team invites Aubrie Bauer to the RIT/NTID campus as part of the NTID Presenter Series on November 6, 2026, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the CSD Student Development Center 1300/1310.

Bauer will share her travel experiences and tips to inspire others to explore the world. Having visited 32 countries in five years and knowing five languages, she is passionate about discovering cultures and connecting with people from different backgrounds.

This event is open to all students, faculty, and staff. Registration is required to attend.

Interpreters have been requested. Refreshments will be provided.

NTID’s Performing Arts will present a production of CLUE on Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m., with three additional performances on Saturday, November 7, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, November 8 at 2 p.m. at Panara Theatre. 

Based on the classic board game and beloved cult-film adaptation, CLUE is a high-energy comedy that blends the zany fun of Scooby-Doo with the chaos of a dinner party done terribly wrong. 

The performance will be fully accessible. Deaf actors will perform in American Sign Language (ASL), while hearing actors will perform in spoken English, creating a unique and engaging theatrical experience that is accessible to all audiences.

Tickets are $5 for students; $10 for faculty, staff, and alumni; and $12 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased online at www.rittickets.com.

RIT/NTID will host the Vocational Rehabilitation State Coordinator Panel on Monday, November 16, 2026, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the CSD Student Development Center. 

Students, parents and families are invited to join the state VR leaders for a practical conversation about services, resources, career support opportunities, and proven strategies that can help RIT/NTID students prepare for employment. 

Visit the Vocational Rehabilitation Services website to learn more.

To stay in touch with other parents and up to date on current events, join our Facebook group for parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing and interpreting students at RIT/NTID! More resources are available on the NTID Parents and Families page. Other resources also are available on the RIT Parents and Families page.

For any questions, feel free to reach out to Loriann Macko, Director of NTID Alumni and Constituent Relations, at Loriann.Macko@rit.edu.

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