June 14, 2021

We are proud to recognize the contributions of, left to right, Rohan Palma, Sean Rodrigues, and Nick Valentino as part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative.

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

This week we continue our celebration of faculty members, staff members, and alumni of the Hajim School who serve as outstanding role models, either as underrepresented minorities, or as individuals who promote diversity.

Nick Valentino, a Hajim School academic counselor and our STEM-Gem program director, focuses specifically on helping under-represented minority students. Nick, an outstanding soccer player in college, never bothered to talk to an academic or faculty advisor about his degree options. As a result, it took him eight jobs to “get to the position I have now, the job I love.” Nick understands—from the mistakes he made as an undergraduate—why it is so important for our under-represented minority students to take full advantage of all the resources available to help them make the most of their college experience. “I can’t truly understand what it’s like to be underrepresented, for example to be an African American, especially now,” Nick says. “But I can share the common experience of having been an undergraduate. It’s something we’ve done together. And I’ve always felt that was a way for me to connect with students.” Read more.

One of the students Nick helped is Sean Rodrigues ’12, now a senior scientist at Toyota. Sean recalls how Nick–then an assistant director at the Kearns Center–was “always behind me. Even when I didn’t have the confidence to pursue a goal, he would always back me, saying ‘give it a shot. Just try.’ He kept me accountable.’’ (Access their YouTube conversation.) Sean certainly took full advantage of his opportunities as an undergraduate, becoming a Kearns and McNair Scholar, a Xerox Engineering Research Fellow, and working in the lab of Lukas Novotny at the Institute of Optics during his senior year. “Rochester taught me I can do any engineering,” he says.  At Toyota, Sean leads projects that advance the development of autonomous vehicle systems. He manages up to $400,000 a year that the company allocates for Sean’s collaborations with university researchers or projects in his own lab. Read more.

Rohan Palma also draws on personal experiences to help guide students. At age 31, he took a 2½ year break to backpack around the world, visiting nearly 80 nations. That helped him connect with international students while working at Rochester Institute of Technology and later as an advisor and coordinator for study abroad students at our school and University. Rohan struggled as a first-generation minority student in engineering and earned a degree in finance instead. He understands the urgency to recruit students of color in STEM fields. But he worries about the pressure this creates, especially on first-generation students. “At some point you may have to have a tough conversation, telling the student ‘You’ve tried your best, but it’s time to get you a different degree. You’ll still be able to pursue a productive career, and in doing so, create a bright future for yourself.’” They will also be able to prepare their own children for a STEM or other degree in college. Read more.

OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS

• Immerse themselves in the science of extreme pressure and high-energy-density physics.
• Use Python to understand recent discoveries in astrophysics, planetary science, and quantum materials.
• Access modern computational, educational, and research tools and techniques that can be leveraged across disciplines.
• Learn from—and network with—the center’s leading physicists, astrophysicists, and planetary scientists.

Top applicants will earn a stipend upon successful completion of the program. Learn more about the Center. Students must apply online by July 1. There is no fee to apply or attend. Questions? Contact Natalie Antal, CMAP program administrator, at natalie.antal@rochester.edu

CONGRATULATIONS TO . . .

Scholar-athlete Ryan Algier ’21, a double major in data science and business, who has been elected as a Division III First Team Academic All-American for men’s basketball by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Ryan is the seventh men’s basketball player from Rochester to attain the Academic All-America honor and the first one to receive First Team honors. The Phi Beta Kappa scholar was selected as a Lysle “Spike” Garnish Scholar-Athlete last fall. And the year before, he was a Provost’s Circle Scholar, signifying the top junior student-athletes. Read more.

A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

I’m sure that many of you who heard Ed Hajim’s uplifting message to our graduating seniors during our Diploma Ceremonies would like to know more about our chief benefactor, lifetime University trustee, and chemical engineering alumnus. If so, be sure to read this essay (and accompanying Q&A) adapted from Ed’s recently published memoir, On the Road Less Traveled: An Unlikely Journey from the Orphanage to the Boardroom. Or better yet, buy the book! It’s a great read. And, as I’ve mentioned before, it is a powerful testament about how young people can overcome the harshest disadvantages—and a reminder of why we must make every effort to welcome students of diverse backgrounds to our campus.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman

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