Dr. Caroline Solomon named new President of NTID

Dr. Caroline Solomon, Gallaudet University’s current Dean of the Faculty, has been named the next President of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and Vice President of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She begins her new role on August 18.

Gallaudet offers its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Solomon. For 25 years, she has been a dedicated and visionary leader on our campus. She championed faculty development, inclusive academic policies, and student-centered innovation. Her leadership shaped a more equitable and forward-thinking academic experience at Gallaudet.

Says Dr. Solomon, “Though I’m stepping into a new chapter, Gallaudet and its extraordinary community will always remain a part of my life. As Dean of the Faculty, I’ve had the honor of working alongside brilliant colleagues. As a professor, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring the next generation of Deaf scientists, scholars, and leaders.

“Gallaudet has shaped me in ways I could never have predicted. My journey began here at the age of two, attending our Family Learning Vacation, which became full circle this summer with its return after a 30-year hiatus. From my time at the Margaret S. Sterck School for the Deaf in Delaware, where I was taught ‘total communication’ by dedicated teachers, many of them Gallaudet alumni, under the visionary leadership of Director Roy K. Holcomb, ’47, to high school mentorships, Gallaudet has always been part of my life.”

Dr. Solomon has consistently elevated Gallaudet’s academic landscape. She served as Faculty Chair from 2016 to 2018, leading the nationally recognized faculty of the Science, Technology, Accessibility, Mathematics, and Public Health program. More recently, as Dean of the Faculty, she advanced curriculum reform and partnerships in engineering and nursing.

Says Gallaudet President Roberta Cordano, “Dr. Solomon has been an extraordinary leader at Gallaudet. While we will deeply miss her, we’re excited to see her step into this national role and look forward to continued collaboration between our two institutions.”

Gallaudet thanks Dr. Solomon for her many contributions. Her appointment strengthens the partnership between Gallaudet and NTID, which will benefit Deaf and hard of hearing students nationwide for generations to come. It also stands as a testament to the caliber of leadership that Gallaudet fosters.

“Gallaudet is more than a university,” says Dr. Solomon. “It is a cultural touchstone, a lighthouse, and above all, a home. It stands as a beacon of what is possible for every Deaf and hard of hearing person whose life is touched by this institution. I am deeply grateful for everything this community has given me.”

“As I begin my next chapter at NTID/RIT, I know that our collective future is bright, and I look forward to building new bridges of education and career pathways across institutions of higher education for our Deaf and hard of hearing students.”