RIT/NTID

Flavia S. Fleischer makes history as the first deaf woman to serve as NTID dean.

Following a national search, NTID President Caroline M. Solomon and RIT Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Prabu David are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Flavia S. Fleischer as the college’s new dean.

Fleischer, who is the first deaf woman to serve as NTID dean, most recently was chair and professor of the Deaf Studies Department at California State University, Northridge. Her previous experience includes coordinating the ASL and Deaf Studies program at Utah Valley University, American Sign Language Faculty and Program chair at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California, and American Sign Language Faculty and Program coordinator at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California.

“Dr. Fleischer stood out among an impressive field of candidates because of her expertise in Deaf education and her deep commitment to students,” Solomon said. “She understands that NTID’s success lies in its dedicated faculty and the vibrant, diverse student community they support. Her leadership will be instrumental in evolving our academic programs to meet the demands of a changing workforce, ensuring our students graduate with both the technical skills and the confidence to lead in their chosen fields.”

“We are delighted that Dr. Fleischer will serve as the next dean of NTID,” said David. “As the landscape of higher education evolves, her focus on faculty empowerment and academic excellence will ensure that NTID remains the gold standard for preparing deaf and hard-of-hearing students for career success.”

Fleischer is the author of numerous publications on Deaf education and has presented at conferences throughout the country on the topic. She is a co-principal investigator on a $1.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs on preparing a pipeline for educators of the Deaf.

She served as vice president of the California Association of the Deaf and commissioner of the Commission on Inclusion and Diversity Initiatives at California State University, Northridge. “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.”

Fleischer holds doctorate and master’s degrees in ASL linguistics from Gallaudet University, a master’s in interdisciplinary studies in linguistics, Deaf culture and special education from California State University, Northridge, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Gallaudet University.

She assumes the deanship on August 1.

Read the announcement here: https://brnw.ch/21x3blo

An ASL version of this announcement can be found here: https://brnw.ch/21x3bln

Students and faculty members from RIT/NTID were recently inducted into the national honor society, Epsilon Pi Tau.

Please help us congratulate them!

Photo Credit: Kashif Bin Arif

Recently, we gathered to celebrate the achievements, dedication, and hard work of our students at the RIT/NTID Academic Awards Luncheon.

From classrooms and labs to leadership, research, and creative work, these students continue to make an incredible impact across our campus community. Their passion, perseverance, and commitment to excellence are what make RIT/NTID so special.

Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients, we are proud of everything you’ve accomplished and excited for what lies ahead.



Photo Credit: Makayla Smith

Over the past two days, faculty and staff from across RIT/NTID came together for the AI in Action Symposium to explore the growing role of artificial intelligence in education, accessibility, communication, and the workplace.

As AI continues to evolve, RIT/NTID remains committed to engaging with these technologies thoughtfully and proactively; not simply reacting to change, but helping shape how AI can support innovation, learning, and accessibility within our community and beyond.

Thank you to everyone who helped organize, present, and participate in this year’s symposium. Your collaboration and insight made these conversations meaningful, practical, and forward-looking.

📸: Matthew Sluka

Every photo from graduation day tells a story, of hard work, perseverance, friendship, and the journey that brought the Class of 2026 to this moment.

From proud smiles crossing the stage to the celebrations shared with family and friends, this day was a reminder of just how strong and special the RIT/NTID community is.

Congratulations, graduates. Your next chapter starts now, and we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way. 🧡

1 day to go. The countdown is almost over, Tigers. 🎓


📸: Alexis Beckwith

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Image description: Two RIT/NTID graduates in caps and gowns pose against an orange background while holding up one finger. White text reads “1 day until graduation.”