About Us
RIA's mission is to provide newly arrived English language learners with an instructional program that simultaneously facilitates acquisition of the English language, content knowledge, and academic skills. The Rochester International Academy also emphasizes the importance of social and emotional supports in an academic setting, home-school connections, and community involvement.
About Friends of RIA
The Friends of Rochester International Academy, Inc. d.b.a. Friends of RIA, is a charitable organization established to support quality education programs for every student attending the Rochester International Academy. Friends of RIA has been approved for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS.
Friends of RIA Mission
- To fund student scholarships, special events, critical student needs, and extracurricular activities through gifts and donations received from Friends of RIA members and RIA well wishers.
- To act as a voice for RIA and advocate for RIA in matters critical for the school's success and growth.
- To support the long-term academic and professional growth of RIA students and graduates through career guidance and counseling, connections to job-focused education and training programs, and supporting job placement in local companies.
Friends of RIA Board of Directors
Friends of RIA is led by a volunteer Board of Directors. Some of the Board of Directors are RIA Advisory Board members of the school; others are from various segments of the community. The time and energy these individuals devote to the Friends of RIA is rooted in deep pride and abiding commitment to help RIA students become successful scholars and engaged citizens.
Current Friends of RIA Board of Directors include:
- Ed Donnelly - Chair/Director, Friends of RIA, Inc.; Volunteer with Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services
- Carla Stough Huffman – Treasurer/Director, Independent Educational Consultant
- Meera Sampath, PhD - Secretary/Director, Associate Dean of Research, Thomas J Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Binghamton University
- Mary Andrecolich-Montesano - Ex Officio Director, Principal of the Rochester International Academy
- Sam Consagra - Ex Officio Director, RIA Administrator/Project Implementation Specialist
- Katie DeFazio, Ex Officio Director, RIA Administrator/Project Implementation Specialist
Friends of RIA Members *
Currently, RIA Advisory Board Members who also support Friends of RIA include:
- Getachew Beshir - Director, Catholic Charities Family and Community Services
- Karla Boyce - Mental Health Crisis Therapist, Dept of Psychology, University of Rochester Medical Center
- Maureen Boorum - University of Rochester Medical Center, Mt. Hope Family Center
- Mike Coniff - CEO, Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services
- Rui Cheng, PhD - Director of TESOL at Nazareth College of Rochester
- Enid DeJesus-Lopez - Director of Transition Systems, Rochester City School District
- Christina Gray - Deputy Chief of Staff for New York State Senator Samra Brouk
- Jennifer Grimes - Assistant Principal, Victor Senior High School
- Alisa Hathaway, Ed.D - University of Rochester Medical Center, Mt. Hope Family Center
- Beth Messner, Volunteer/Educator, Saint's Place
- Moses Robinson - Community Liaison Officer, Rochester Police Department
- Bonnie Rubenstein, PhD - University of Rochester, Warner School of Education
- Chojy Schroeder - Retired Rochester City School District ENL Teacher
- Hairong Shang-Butler, PhD - Associate Professor, University of Rochester, Warner School of Education
*If you believe in RIA's mission and would like to join a large, diverse group of committed people who are interested in supporting the RIA, its students, and their parents, please consider becoming a Friends of RIA Member.
RIA school leaders, teachers, Advisory Board members, graduates, current/former parents, and community members may all serve as Friends of RIA members!
We invite you partner with us by sharing your time, talent, and/or resources. What better way to assure the future of these students, their families, and our community?