National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Renishia Williams is a bright, hardworking 21-year-old from Killeen, Texas, who, according to her professors, has great potential.

“I believe Renishia will excel in any area she chooses to pursue,” says Mary Beth Parker, associate professor in NTID’s Business Studies Department.

Growing up in a hearing family, Williams attended mainstream schools in Killeen, then transferred to the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin. In her sophomore year of high school she transferred again, this time to the Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington, D.C., where she decided that RIT/NTID would be her next move after graduation. She knew she was interested in business, and had learned about RIT/NTID’s business majors.

“My major is Business Technology-Accounting,” Williams says. “I enjoy doing income statements, and like to get to the final steps of completing a budget.”

One of only a few students in her class who has earned her Microsoft Office Specialist Certification in Access—a very challenging timed test of her abilities—she also has earned Microsoft Office Specialist Certification in Word.

“I’m looking for a co-op for this summer, and am waiting to hear from two government agencies,” she says.

While on campus, her interests include learning more about Deaf culture, working out and playing volleyball. In the future, she plans to return to her home state to earn a master’s degree and her CPA certification.

“I’d like to work in the banking industry or for a government department,” she says.

Of her time at RIT/NTID, the always positive Williams says, “I’ve had amazing experiences at RIT/NTID, and have learned so much about diversity and other people’s cultures and personalities.”