Why can’t I sign in to my department account, it keeps bringing me back to my gmail inbox?

You are likely signed into your RISD gmail account while attempting to sign into your department account within the same browser.

DUO & RISD authentication (SSO) do not allow you to be signed into two different accounts within the same browser unless you use an incognito window OR alternative: open/use a different browser.

Please consider the two ways to access department accounts (direct sign in or delegated access)

Use direct sign in only if you need to access drive files or calendar for that department account.
Use delegated access if you only need access to the department email inbox. This allows you to toggle between your personal email inbox and your department email inbox within the same browser and without the need to sign in.
Department account owners must setup (add/remove) users from the delegated user list.
View how to setup delegated access.