Student Stories
![Sophomore Jaclyn Zhang sews a garment on a dress form](/sites/g/files/upbtqy111/files/styles/landscape_3_2_250x166/public/2023-11/23-Apparel-Identities-Jaclyn-Zhang.jpg?h=fcf25457&itok=zyIGLnqR)
Sophomores in the fall Identities course focus on exploration of the self via garment design and performance.
![black-and-white image of kids playing in the spray from a fire hydrant](/sites/g/files/upbtqy111/files/styles/landscape_3_2_250x166/public/2023-10/Willis-Lapham-Pawtucket-RI-2003.jpg?h=0fb54712&itok=Dj09Lc12)
Documentary photographer John Willis leads a fall studio built on trust, respect and the importance of community.
![a student films another student on the bed in a very pink room](/sites/g/files/upbtqy111/files/styles/landscape_3_2_250x166/public/2023-10/Jordeno-Rowe-pink-room-bed.jpg?h=fece7981&itok=i7TzYJnS)
Students in a fall course called Reorientations are challenging conventional approaches to theatrical set design and creating immersive cinematic experiences.
![Visitors look through Ethan Brossard's photo book in the woods gerry-gallery on opening night of the 2023 photography triennial](/sites/g/files/upbtqy111/files/styles/landscape_3_2_250x166/public/2023-10/23-photo-triennial-opening.jpg?h=c91a0d9e&itok=WWDgvE3k)
The exhibition celebrates the work of Photography juniors, seniors and graduate students whose practices focus on capturing the intangible, placemaking and more.
![RISD's College Building seen through a transparent raindrops print](/sites/g/files/upbtqy111/files/styles/landscape_3_2_250x166/public/2023-10/Foster-Crits-Blue-Rain.jpg?h=c6980913&itok=4rUtql3B)
Grads and undergrads in a fall elective use printmaking techniques to create conceptual installations.
![Students tour the studios of Riot Games and learning about the game design industry](/sites/g/files/upbtqy111/files/styles/landscape_3_2_250x166/public/2023-09/2023-LA-trek-angry-bear.jpg?h=fcf25457&itok=nVa2kop6)
Participating undergrads gained valuable feedback on their own work from RISD alums working in the industry.
![Katia Zolotovsky and Varun Mehta gather plants from marsh](/sites/g/files/upbtqy111/files/styles/landscape_3_2_250x166/public/2023-09/Biopods-Katia-Varun-Tillinghast.jpg?h=5b728bb6&itok=th2xIBnA)
Manini Banerjee, Varun Mehta, Avantika Velho and Katia Zolotovsky are developing mycelium-based biofiltration pods capable of reseeding lost wetlands.
![a new cohort of graduate-level Presidential Fellows poses for a photo with Crystal Williams](/sites/g/files/upbtqy111/files/styles/landscape_3_2_250x166/public/2023-08/pres-fellows-23-group-with-cw_0.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=zTSseMiZ)
Current scholarship-supported graduate students are using their talents and life experiences to effect positive change.
![RISD flags flying in front of downtown highrises](/sites/g/files/upbtqy111/files/styles/landscape_3_2_250x166/public/2023-09/Fundraising-Hero-Campus-Flags.jpg?h=0f4230fa&itok=ciS9-7Dd)
RISD’s 2023 fiscal year closes with more than $17 million raised in support of undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, internships and museum programming.