RIT students go into the ROC to explore the city, volunteer, and connect with the local community

Rochester, New York – Rochester Institute of Technology students are discovering that learning doesn’t just happen in classrooms, labs, and lecture halls. Through a program called Into the ROC, RIT students are stepping out into the city of Rochester to explore its culture, arts, and neighborhoods, volunteer with local organizations, and form connections that go far beyond campus life. Since its launch in 2016, the program has introduced nearly 8,500 students to the region, helping them gain firsthand experiences that enrich both their personal and professional development.

Managed by RIT’s Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement, Into the ROC offers about a dozen community trips each semester, typically on Saturdays. These excursions are free to students and include transportation to the various sites, making it easy for students to participate, even if they don’t have their own vehicle.

“Our goal is to help students discover the exciting opportunities within the broader Rochester community while making connections with their peers and empowering them to contribute meaningfully throughout their time in Rochester,” said Victoria Cirillo, assistant director for Civic Engagement and co-coordinator of Into the ROC. She added that following their experiences, 99 percent of surveyed students reported wanting to explore other parts of Rochester.

The program is built on strong partnerships between RIT and some of Rochester’s most active organizations. Each trip falls under one of three themes: people, places, and possibilities. By connecting students with both familiar and hidden parts of the city, Into the ROC exposes them to new cultural experiences, community service opportunities, and social engagement. Next semester’s trips are expected to be posted soon on RIT’s events calendar, giving students even more chances to explore.

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One of the program’s most popular events each semester is college night at the Strong National Museum of Play in downtown Rochester. Scheduled for Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, the event regularly attracts hundreds of RIT students, who come to engage with exhibits, enjoy interactive activities, and connect with peers in a lively, fun setting.

For students like Lilly Rowland, a fourth-year computer science and bioinformatics double major from Chicago, Into the ROC has been a gateway to the city since her first semester at RIT. Without a car, she relied on the program to explore Rochester, attend career fairs downtown, and take part in a variety of cultural and volunteer activities. Over the years, Rowland has collected and donated unsold food with Flower City Pickers at the Rochester Public Market, participated in scavenger hunts, sampled Asian cuisine at local markets, made empanadas, and even petted goats and llamas at the Genesee Country Village and Museum in Mumford.

“Into the ROC is a great way to explore the city, have fun with your friends and feel good about yourself,” Rowland said. “I definitely would recommend it.”

Rowland rarely attends alone. Her roommates, Josie Clapp, a fourth-year imaging science major from Ipswich, Mass., and Katelynn Carlson, a fourth-year chemical engineering major from Hopewell Junction, N.Y., often join her. Together, they’ve turned Into the ROC excursions into a way to connect with each other, the city, and the broader community.

The trio is particularly drawn to trips that involve volunteering. A recent outing to Washington Grove, near Cobbs Hill, had about 30 students clearing leaves, spreading mulch, and upgrading walking trails with Friends of Washington Grove. Rowland remembers the experience fondly.

“It was a little bit of a workout, but it was nice,” she said. “I was on the wheelbarrow team. We were there for about three hours, taking dirt up to put on the hiking trails. It was my first time there, and now I want to go back there to hike.”

For Rowland and her roommates, the volunteer trips have inspired service beyond Into the ROC. All three participated in an Alternative Break one spring, traveling to Costa Rica to volunteer and learn about environmental sustainability. They’ve also helped prepare meals at the Ronald McDonald House and take part in the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser each April.

Carlson particularly valued her volunteer experience at St. John’s Home, where she helped set up for a party and spent time with residents. “It was insightful to talk with people who have lived that long and experienced so much,” she said.

For Rowland, volunteering has always been an important part of her life, instilled by her parents. “They taught me that it isn’t money that matters,” she said. “I want to do good for particular causes that matter to me. Honestly, it gives me a break from schoolwork, and I have a good time doing it. I feel good about it.”

Programs like Into the ROC offer students not only a chance to give back but also a way to learn more about the city they now call home. From cultural excursions to hands-on service projects, students are discovering new neighborhoods, trying new foods, and gaining skills that will stay with them long after graduation. By creating structured opportunities to engage with Rochester, RIT is helping students understand that community is more than a backdrop for their college experience—it’s an active part of their growth.

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The program also reinforces peer connections, giving students a shared set of experiences that deepen friendships and foster collaboration. Trips like scavenger hunts, museum nights, and food tours provide casual, social settings where students can bond outside of the classroom while discovering the hidden gems of the city.

Into the ROC continues to grow, reflecting a broader commitment by RIT to integrate civic engagement and leadership into the college experience. Through consistent partnerships with local organizations and a strong support system for students, the program offers more than just trips—it provides a framework for developing a sense of responsibility, curiosity, and connection to the community.

For Rowland, Clapp, and Carlson, the program has become a highlight of their college years. “Into the ROC is a great way to explore the city, have fun with your friends and feel good about yourself,” Rowland said. Their enthusiasm illustrates the program’s impact, showing that when students are given the tools and opportunities to engage meaningfully, both the city and its young leaders benefit.

With nearly a decade of programming and thousands of students participating since its inception, Into the ROC demonstrates how higher education can foster civic-mindedness, encourage exploration, and build strong community ties. As new trips are planned and new students join each semester, the program’s legacy continues to grow, proving that the journey of learning can be just as vibrant outside the classroom as it is inside.