Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) seeks a visionary, strategic, and inspirational leader to serve as its next president. From its earliest days, RIT has galvanized creativity and innovation at the intersection of technology, the arts, and design, and as a comprehensive university with these foci, RIT is poised to be a leading institution in higher education for the 21st century. At a time of rapid change in higher education, RIT is on an ambitious upward trajectory. It is pioneering exciting new academic programs in emerging fields, cutting-edge research within and across disciplines, and a world-class experiential education program that centers on student success in the context of an inclusive and supportive community.
RIT is a global university with its main campus in Rochester, NY and five global campuses located in China, Croatia (Dubrovnik and Zagreb), Dubai, and Kosovo. Over the past decade, RIT has pursued a bold strategy that has resulted in advancement in every key institutional metric. Applications have increased 36 percent. Enrollment has grown more than 10 percent to over 20,000 students globally, with the diversity and caliber of the student body continually on the rise. Faculty has grown in number, diversity, and scholarly stature, and research productivity combined with a commitment to being a student-focused institution remain top priorities. Notably, in 2019, RIT achieved R2 designation in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning, placing it among the top six percent of colleges and universities in the nation, and the institution is on the verge of attaining R1 status. RITs student focus, rigorous curriculum, and vibrant learning environment, coupled with its continued commitment to and expanded experiential learning offerings, have helped students to thrive both domestically and globally. For the class of 2023, RIT boasts a 93.4 percent post-graduation employment rate. These successes have been fueled by a growing philanthropic enterprise. In 2023, RIT successfully concluded the Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness, a blended fundraising campaign, raising over $1 billion to support the universitys ambitious goals.
RIT was founded in 1829 and was an early proponent of practice-based and cooperative education (co-op). Today, it is a nationally ranked doctoral university, currently at an all-time high of #98 on U.S. News and World Reports listing of National Universities, distinguished by its commitment to preparing students for success in a globally connected society. With the Fall 2023 opening of RITs SHED (Student Hall for Exploration and Development), RIT is transforming the way students learn with spaces that better enable creativity, collaboration, and discovery. Building on RITs strength in offering programs at the intersection of technology, the arts and design, in 2019, RIT established the Performing Arts Scholars Program with the goal of becoming the nations premier performing arts program for non-majors. Currently, more than 2000 students have auditioned for and engaged in performing arts on campus. The recently created Art Experience Program also offers studio arts for non-majors. Both programs serve to attract and retain additional multi-talented students. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) is one of the eleven colleges of RIT and is home to the worlds first and largest technological college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. In addition to its physical campuses, RIT has partnerships with more than 100 institutions worldwide. RIT is consistently chosen as a partner for government and industry to tackle global challenges. Most recently, RIT became one of six U.S. universities selected to join an international USA-Japan partnership led by Micron Corp. which was announced at the G7 Summit in Japan. Micron Corp. has committed $100 billion over the next 20 years to construct a new megafab facility outside Syracuse, NY.
The President will join RIT as the community launches its next strategic plan. As chief executive officer, they will be responsible for leading the finalization and implementation of a plan to extend and accelerate its upward momentum. The ideal candidate will lead through innovation that leverages the distinctive cultural and academic assets of the university, including the remarkable dedication and passion of its board, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The president will champion its efforts to grow the research enterprise and interdisciplinary programs, the student-centered and inclusive climate, and the deep commitment to shared governance.
For more information, please visit: https://www.rit.edu/president#presidential-search
RIT has engaged Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist with this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in confidence to:
John Muckle, Partner
Karen McPhedran, Managing Associate
Liz Braun, Senior Associate
Isaacson, Miller
RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism, and inclusion in the workplace. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientations, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs, and activities. For more information or inquiries, please visit RIT/TitleIX or the U.S. Department of Education at https://www.ed.gov/
The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check.
RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to your application for employment at RIT, please contact Isaacson, Miller as indicated above.