To the DPG Community:
We are pleased to announce the new Deaf Professional Group Executive Board for 2007-2008!
Chair - Aimee Solomon
Vice-Chair - Erin Esposito
Director of Communications - Kurt Stoskopf
Director of Events - Regina Kiperman Kiselgof
Member at Large - Jess Cuculick
Since we received one nomination per position, a vote was not deemed necessary.
Congratulations to the above individuals!! Their terms are effective July 1, 2007 and we look forward to a fruitful 2007-08 academic year with the new
Executive Board.
Thank you,
The DPG Steering Committee
p.s. Below are excerpts from the nomination forms, which provide background information on each candidate including their goals for DPG.
CHAIR
Aimee Solomon
Nominee’s brief biography:
National Certified Counselor. Graduated from RIT and Gallaudet.
Gallaudet University (Mental Health Counseling, 2003) Works in RIT Counseling Center since 2006. She works with deaf and hard of hearing college students
as a staff counselor. Her professional interests are specialized in treatment of eating disorders and addition issues, self- esteem, relationships,
domestic violence, dinner- table syndrome, bibliotherapy, the Americans with Disabilities Act, mediation/conflict resolution.
Member: Chi Sigma Iota/Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International, New York Mental Health Counseling Association; Greater
Rochester Area Chapter of NYMHCA
Please explain your reasons for putting forward the above nomination, explaining why, in your view, the nominee would be a good fit for the position
selected:
I had a great pleasure having her in the DPG Steering Committee since 2005. She understands inside and outside of DPG and what issues DPG faces. She was
(still is) very responsible for her commitments she would have made. She often talks about what direction DPG should go, and her vision is very positive
and inspirational. She is able to listen to people’s different perspectives and to see Gray between White and Black. She is able to convey a message
to people clearly. I strongly believe that she would be a good and strong leader who would bring people together to seek a solution and make sure it
is thoroughly done. She would make herself a well- trusted leader for DPG. I happened to know her from my college years where we were in the same
sorority, in which she held several various positions. Her leadership style is that she is able to remain flexible and optimistic and hold the
disruptive emotions under control and manage conflict. Also, she has charisma!
If elected for the position, my goals for the term are:
1. To carry on the mission, the work, accomplishments, goals, committees, website/forum of DPG (DPG Steering Committee).
2. Continue to support AoE, but ensure that an award for Deaf professionals on campus is implemented.
3. Continue communications with Alan Hurwitz.
4. Continue to set up committees and ad-hoc committees as needed.
5. Follow DPG bylaws and encourage amendments as needed/desired.
6. Continue to follow and stay on track with NTID Communication Forums.
7. Work towards more recognition and support for DPG (and DPG members) campus-wide (particularly support from head supervisors for meeting attendance
and participation, etc) – also follow through with DPG Steering Committee’s plans to develop a survey/information sheet for supervisors about DPG.
VICE-CHAIR
Erin Esposito
Nominee’s brief biography:
Esposito holds a Master of Science degree from NTID in secondary education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing and a Bachelor of Science degree
from RIT in professional and technical communication.
Prior to becoming Assistant Director of the NTID Student Life Team, Erin was Alumni Relations Director for NTID and she worked as a teacher at the
California School for the Deaf in Fremont. She also served as an advocate and paralegal at the California Center for Law and the Deaf. Prior to that,
she held a variety of positions at NTID, including leadership development coordinator and community development director.
Erin is actively involved with several committees and organizations at RIT and NTID. She is a representative (for NTID/Block 5) on the RIT Staff
Council.
Please explain your reasons for putting forward the above nomination, explaining why, in your view, the nominee would be a good fit for the
position selected:
Erin continues to contribute substantially to the development and maintenance of NTID/RIT through the support and services she provides and shares to
all students, staff and faculty alike. Everyone recognizes the leadership and contributions Erin gives to NTID. She has the qualities that DPG needs!
If elected for the position, my goals for the term are:
1. First and foremost, to provide support to the Chair of DPG.
2. Secondly, to inspire the DPG members with the spirit of President John F. Kennedy’s famous speech “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask
what you can do for your country” by asking members of our DPG to “Ask not what the DPG can do for you – ask what you can do for the DPG.” It is
imperative that our community come together to work on issues and to continue to help “advocate for the rights of all deaf and hard of hearing employees
in formal and informal context of the RIT community.”
3. Thirdly, per the By-Laws of the DPG, “to foster mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities for Deaf professionals” by
providing more opportunities to network with one another outside of NTID/RIT. We could emulate the model of DPHH (Deaf Professionals Happy Hour) which
has proven to be extremely successful in Washington, D.C., and in countless other geographical locations. Rochester seems to lack a solid DPHH. I’d
like to work on reviving this, but will need your help, as it requires us all to work together in order to make it successful.
4. Fourthly, the By-Laws of the DPG identify the Vice-Chair’s responsibility to serve as the Chair of the Award of Excellence (AoE). This important
award has long struggled to garner the recognition and involvement of the community. I would like to work on finding ways to improve the current
operation of the AoE in an effort to increase the community’s involvement and support.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Kurt Stoskopf
Nominee’s brief biography:
BFA, MFA, Rochester Institute of Technology—Assistant Professor.
Please explain your reasons for putting forward the above nomination, explaining why, in your view, the nominee would be a good fit for the
position selected: Kurt eagerly joined the DPG steering committee to help to build a better path for DPG. His two-year involvement with the DPG
steering committee proved to be a valuable asset. He always brought a lot of good, strong points of view. Along with other responsibilities, duties
and involvement with other committees, Kurt was still very reliable and responsible for his commitment to DPG. It was my great pleasure working with him.
I strongly believe that he would be a great Director of Communication. His written and oral communication skills are articulate and suited with the
duties of the position. He would contribute a lot to the DPG.
If elected for the position, my goals for the term are:
1. Increase awareness of DPG members about events at and around RIT related to faculty and staff issues. Continue the efforts that
Regina Kiperman-Kiselgof started by providing emails reminding DPG members of key events and issues at RIT/NTID that have a benefit, impact, or change
on the DPG population at large.
2. Develop more options for DPG members to be contacted or informed about news, information, alerts that would have an impact on members. This would be
done by allowing members to customize their contact preferences based on a variety of criteria, to allow individual members to get only “alert” emails
while ignoring all other emails.
3. Help make the DPG website an one-stop destination for DPG members to find out news and information about events and issues at RIT by increasing
awareness of the DPG website and purpose.
DIRECTOR OF EVENTS
Regina Kiperman Kiselgof
Nominee’s brief biography:
Regina works closely with the NETAC Project Coordinator in developing and implementing multi- faceted projects including, "Achieving Goals," and
developing materials for prepared workshop/training packages. She works closely with the NETAC Server/Desktop Administrator in carrying out her
responsibilities for projects.
Regina has been actively involved in DPG (DPG Steering Committee) for the past couple of years and has displayed outstanding leadership abilities,
communication skills and planning/hosting DPG events, meetings, forums, and so on.
Please explain your reasons for putting forward the above nomination, explaining why, in your view, the nominee would be a good fit for the
position selected:
Regina has shown remarkable skills as a leader, supporter and advocate, leading the DPG Steering Committee in the past 2 years. She was actively involved
in “saving” DPG, setting up the steering committee for DPG and managing DPG meetings for the past 2 years. She was also involved with developing DPG’s
new bylaws. She planned the Kick-Off event (on her own) before the DPG steering committee was established and has ensured that ongoing DPG events,
activities and communication, have taken place throughout the year. Without Regina, DPG wouldn’t still be standing today and wouldn’t be as strong as it
is now! Regina helped DPG grow again when it was faltering, and because of Regina, DPG is alive again, this time with a solid “foundation,” leaders,
opportunities and events. Kudos to Regina! She would make a fabulous Director of Events – I have no doubt in my mind about that!!!
If elected for the position, my goals for the term are:
1. Develop a survey to ask DPG about what workshops and/or presentations and/or events they would like to attend. Based on DPG’s most- desired requests,
I would prioritize which events would be provided/presented
2. 1 - 2 (professional development workshop or meeting or award ceremony or social gathering or guest speaking or presentation from RIT Human Resources)
per quarter
3. DPG event with students. Work with and discuss with NSC to set up an event that only DPG and students socialize together.
4. Picnic at the end of the academic year.
5. Know about your DPG buddy more! (Exhibit or poster session) DPG’s art work, side business, hobby, publications, websites, etc to share with other
each.
Additional Comments:
I cannot arrange all events by myself. Of course, I will ask 2-3 interested DPG folks to get involved in a committee with me. I have very much enjoyed
working with the DPG Steering committee where I learned to delegated, coordinate, run the meetings, and to be a good leader. I am open to your suggestions
and ideas relevant to my position’s responsibilities. As you might imagine, I will work closely with the DPG Executive Board to finalize the necessary
decisions.
MEMBER AT LARGE
Jess Cuculick
Please explain your reasons for putting forward the above nomination, explaining why, in your view, the nominee would be a good fit for the
position selected: Jess contributes substantially to the development and maintenance of NTID/RIT through the knowledge, experience, support and services
she provides and shares to all students, staff and faculty. Everyone recognizes the leadership and contributions Jess has given and continues to give
to NTID/RIT. I always receive positive comments about her work, especially as a Sociology professor, and the impact she has on students. She is aware of
the issues that NTID (students, faculty and staff) is facing and possesses many of the qualities that DPG needs!!
