August 2026

Fall semester 2026 is underway, and RIT/NTID is delighted to welcome new students to the Tiger Family and to welcome back our returning students! The campus is alive with energy and excitement, and we look forward to a great academic year!

The Summer Vestibule Program (SVP), held August 9-22, welcomed incoming first-year and transfer students to campus for an exciting orientation and transition experience.

Students and their parents arrived on the RIT campus August 9 to check in before heading to their residence hall to unpack and settle in for the two-week program and then attended the official SVP opening and welcome address in Ingle Auditorium. This was followed by a panel discussion with academic leadership and an open Q&A, giving students and parents the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about academic expectations, college resources, and faculty.

The event wrapped up with a Student Affairs panel discussion with staff and faculty, followed by Q&A that provided students and parents the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about campus life, counseling, support services, and student resources. 

RIT welcomed thousands of incoming students and celebrated their new start of the academic journey during the annual Tiger Walk and Fall Convocation Thursday, August 20. 

After gathering outside to pose for a massive group photo, students were led by mascot Ritchie, through a roaring line of cheering faculty, staff, and community members to the Gordon Field House for the Fall Convocation for New Students.

During the convocation, students enjoyed a dance performance and welcome messages from university leadership, including Provost Prabu David, as well as other speakers from Student Affairs, Student Government, and the RIT academic community. At the end of the convocation, RIT President Bill Sanders also took a selfie with the crowd as the ceremony wrapped up with the tradition of students launching paper airplanes with their aspirations written on them.

On August 3, RIT/NTID welcomed Dr. Flavia Fleischer as the college’s new dean. Members of the NTID community gathered in Lyndon Baines Johnson Hall to greet Dr. Fieischer and celebrate the start of her exciting new chapter. 

“I am thrilled to join RIT/NTID and serve a community I have long admired for its innovation, creativity, and academic rigor,” said Fleischer. “I look forward to working closely with our talented faculty and staff to ensure that every student has the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to turn their passions into impactful careers.” 

She is the first Deaf woman to serve as NTID dean.

Learn more about Dr. Fleischer.

NTID’s “In-Focus” video series features Dr. Caroline Solomon, who reflects on her first year as NTID president and what she has learned from the RIT/NTID community. 

Solomon shares what has made NTID feel like home; how conversations with students, faculty, staff, and alumni shape her work; and why student involvement is important in shaping RIT/NTID’s future. The conversation also explores emerging technology and student support and engagement.

Watch the video. 

RIT/NTID is partnering with the Rochester Red Wings for the seventh annual Deaf Culture Night on Friday, September 11, 2026 at ESL Ballpark. All are invited to come and celebrate Deaf culture and cheer on the Red Wings as they face the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 

The game begins at 6:05 p.m. The event will include a silent inning, and both the National Anthem and God Bless America will be performed in American Sign Language.

Tickets are available on the Red Wings website. Whether you wish to sit in RIT/NTID’s section or choose your own view from anywhere in the stadium, the Red Wings offer an option for you to purchase:

RIT/NTID Section Tickets

General Seating Tickets

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees, friends, and families are welcome to attend this event. Let’s connect, catch the game, and enjoy post-game fireworks! 

Join RIT/NTID for Deaf Culture Day at Stokoe Farms on Saturday, September 26, 2026, to celebrate Dr. William Stokoe, a pioneering linguist and educator who made lasting contributions to American Sign Language. This event offers an opportunity to honor and celebrate his legacy while enjoying a day at Stokoe Farms.

Encourage your students to join in the fun, including 40 activities (additional fees may apply for some activities), live animal shows, and the “America 250” corn maze. Discounted tickets for $16.99 (regularly $28.99) can be purchased through this link.

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.

rit.edu/ntid

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