The Rochester Institute of Technology in New York has presented the 2022 Presidential Awards for Outstanding Staff, with accolades given for work in diversity, K-12 outreach, neurodiverse hiring, residence life and retail. Donna Burnette, Executive Director of the K-12 University Center, was given the Dancy Duffus Award for Outstanding Citizenship within the RIT Community. Rod Lezette, Assistant Director of Technology and Communications at Public Safety, received the Albert J Simone Legacy Award. Other awards went to Wendy Marks and Maddy Schoenfeld in finance, Brittany Taylor in interpreting, and Kendra Evans for her work on the Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative. The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the RIT community, were announced by RIT President David Munson.
On March 22, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) celebrated its annual Presidential Awards for Outstanding Staff ceremony to recognize the service and dedication of its employees. This award is presented to staff members who show exceptional service and dedication to the university while maintaining personal ethics and integrity and demonstrating a strong commitment to student success.
The Rising Star Award, which acknowledges a staff member with three years or less of service, was given to Andrew Cirillo, the assistant director of Spirituality and Religious Life. Cirillo was chosen because of his collaborative approach and his creativity and innovation. He is known for his participation in The Collective, a multi-divisional cultural programming group, as well as for his spearheading of the Interfaith Council. He also helped secure a $70,000 grant to fund a full-time Jewish student life engagement coordinator.
Cirillo was recognized for his strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which has helped foster community and lifelong learning on campus. He was praised for his willingness to help any student who may be in need, his collaborative approach, and his active participation in various events sponsored by Spirituality and Religious Life.
The Excellence Awards were also presented to staff members who excel in their duties and promote teamwork. This includes individuals who have demonstrated an innovative approach to their jobs and fostered collaboration, communication, and cooperation among colleagues and university constituents. The winners of the Excellence Awards were teams that have impacted the university in an exceptional way through exemplary service, ongoing innovation, and/or creation of best practices.
Overall, the Presidential Awards for Outstanding Staff ceremony serves as an acknowledgment of RIT’s employees’ outstanding service and dedication to the university. This annual event is an excellent way to honor those who exhibit excellence in their work and inspire others to do the same.
This article recognizes the efforts of several employees who have contributed to the success of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Wendy Marks and Maddy Schoenfeld, the director of Finance and Administration Galleries and Shop One manager, respectively, have been able to work together and leverage each other’s strengths to streamline processes and increase the cultivation and recognition of Shop One artists. Together, they have engaged over 300 artists, designers, authors, and craftspeople who represent the diversity of RIT design talent and creativity. They have also expanded the RIT Women’s Council Glass Pumpkin Sale and work with artists to help them maximize their growth and success.
Brittany Taylor, the interpreting manager for the College of Science and the College of Health Sciences and Technology at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), has been part of the NTID interpreting community for almost 14 years. She has been recognized for her dedication, leadership, empathetic nature, and conscientiousness, all of which have had a direct impact on employee retention for the College of Science and the College of Health Sciences and Technology teams. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taylor conducted research to identify the safest and most accessible masks for those who rely on American Sign Language. She also fostered team bonding and a sense of belonging by allowing staff members to share their thoughts, feelings, and creative pursuits.
Kendra Evans, the Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative coordinator at the Spectrum Support Program, has transformed the neurodiverse hiring program in her short time on campus. She has developed innovative curriculum for the Career Ready boot camp, a job readiness residency program for autistic RIT students, and has expanded the program’s offerings, tripling the number of students served by the program. Evans is committed to advancing employment outcomes and the quality of life for RIT students. She has also developed relationships with staff across the university to provide neurodiversity training to departments and employers nationwide.
These employees have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to RIT. Their commitment, dedication, and innovation have helped to improve the university’s operations, support its students, and foster a sense of community on campus.
Kendra Evans, the Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative coordinator at the Spectrum Support Program, has been recognized for her dedication to RIT students. She not only dedicates time to current students on campus but also supports former Spectrum Support students who may be struggling with full-time employment. Her ability to see each person individually and provide them with the appropriate coaching and pre-interview training allows students to feel confident and prepared as they begin the next step in their educational journeys.
Aaron Tomassini, the associate director of Residence Life, has been praised for his commitment to developing relationships with students and staff. His open communication, collaboration, and cooperation skills are essential to overseeing both professional and student staff/resident assistants. Tomassini’s institutional knowledge and steadying presence allow him to keep day-to-day operations running smoothly. He is also up for any challenge and aims to keep focused each and every day, motivating and supporting those around him.
The Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Staff Pluralism Award, which recognizes and affirms RIT’s aspiration toward a community that celebrates differences and allows individuals to develop to their fullest potential, was awarded to Sandra Woodruff Whitmore, the senior director of operations for the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Woodruff Whitmore is committed to sharing the importance of open discussions on diversity and inclusion and has made an impact on RIT through her work. She is dedicated to carrying on the legacy of Isaac Jordan Sr., who transformed the minds and hearts of those who worked and studied at RIT.
Finally, the Outstanding Citizenship Award was presented to Wendy Marks, the director of Finance and Administration Galleries, and Maddy Schoenfeld, the Shop One manager. This award recognizes employees who exhibit exceptional leadership qualities and go above and beyond in their work. Marks and Schoenfeld have been praised for their ability to leverage each other’s strengths, which has resulted in the streamlining of processes and the increased cultivation and recognition of Shop One artists. They have engaged more than 300 artists, designers, authors, and craftspeople, all of whom represent the diversity of RIT design talent and creativity. They have also played an instrumental role in expanding the RIT Women’s Council Glass Pumpkin Sale and work with artists to help maximize their growth and success.
Overall, these employees have been recognized for their exceptional work and dedication to RIT. Their contributions have helped to improve the university’s operations, support its students, and foster a sense of community on campus.
RIT Honors Outstanding Staff Members with Presidential Awards
On March 22, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) held its Presidential Awards for Outstanding Staff ceremony to recognize employees who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and service to the university. This annual event highlights RIT’s values of integrity, dedication, and excellence.
Rising Star Award
Andrew Cirillo, the Assistant Director of Spirituality and Religious Life, was awarded the Rising Star Award. This award recognizes staff members with less than three years of service to the university who have demonstrated a strong commitment to student success and exemplify RIT’s values. Cirillo’s collaborative approach and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion foster a sense of community and learning on campus. He helped establish the Interfaith Council and secured funding for a full-time Jewish student life engagement coordinator.
Excellence Awards
The Excellence Awards recognize staff members who excel in their duties, promote teamwork, and inspire excellence in others. This year’s winners are Wendy Marks, Director of Finance and Administration Galleries, and Maddy Schoenfeld, Shop One Manager. Their partnership resulted in streamlined processes and increased recognition for Shop One artists. They have engaged over 300 artists, designers, authors, and craftspeople to represent the diversity of RIT’s design talent and creativity. They also played a crucial role in expanding the RIT Women’s Council Glass Pumpkin Sale.
Brittany Taylor, Interpreting Manager for the College of Science and the College of Health Sciences and Technology at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, also received an Excellence Award. Taylor’s dedication, leadership, and empathetic nature have a direct impact on employee retention for her teams. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she researched and identified the safest and most accessible masks for those who rely on American Sign Language. She also fostered a team bond by providing staff members with opportunities to share their thoughts, feelings, and creative pursuits.
Staff Pluralism Award
The Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Staff Pluralism Award recognizes staff members who contribute significantly to RIT’s collective aspiration towards a community that celebrates differences and allows individuals to reach their full potential. Sandra Woodruff Whitmore, Senior Director of Operations for the Division of Diversity and Inclusion, received this year’s award. Her commitment to open discussion on diversity and inclusion and her transformative work on the Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative have made an impact on the RIT community.
Dancy Duffus Award for Outstanding Citizenship
The Dancy Duffus Award for Outstanding Citizenship recognizes staff members who embody the utmost integrity, consistently show creativity and innovation, and have a deep commitment to RIT. This year’s recipient is Donna Burnette, Executive Director of the K-12 University Center. Burnette transformed the university program and aligned its goals and objectives with RIT’s strategic plan and Action Plan for Race and Ethnicity. She secured the largest grant in RIT history and developed a credit-bearing web-based course through RIT.
Albert J. Simone Legacy Award
The Albert J. Simone Legacy Award recognizes staff members who have made significant contributions to RIT for 25 years or more. This year’s recipient is Rod Lezette, Assistant Director of Technology and Communications for Public Safety. Lezette’s expertise in evaluating, designing, and implementing modernized security systems has resulted in the successful launch of the Tiger Safe security application.
The Presidential Awards for Outstanding Staff ceremony is an excellent way to acknowledge RIT’s talented and dedicated employees who work hard to foster a community of learning and inclusion.
According to one nominator, Rod Lezette’s work on campus has made RIT a strong, safe community, and his contributions have far-reaching implications for the university. His dedication and willingness to examine every area ensures that the right decisions are made. For more information on the awards, visit the RIT Staff Council website.
Don’t miss interesting posts on Famousbio
