RIT community invited to hear President Bill Sanders outline the university’s future at Sept. 10 address

Rochester, New York – Rochester Institute of Technology will bring members of its campus community together next week for an annual look at the university’s progress and plans for the future. RIT President Bill Sanders is scheduled to deliver his State of the University address at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at the RIT Performing Arts Center.

The address will give Sanders an opportunity to reflect on his first year as president while also outlining what university leadership plans to focus on during the coming year. His remarks are expected to cover several areas of interest to students, faculty and staff, including enrollment, accomplishments across the university and the work of members of the RIT community.

Sanders will also highlight achievements by students, as well as contributions from faculty and staff. The event is intended to provide a broad picture of where the university stands and where its leadership wants to go next.

In a welcome back message published Aug. 26, Sanders expressed confidence about RIT’s future as the university began the fall semester.

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“After my first year at RIT, I have great confidence in our future,” Sanders said in his welcome back message on Aug. 26. “I see it in our students, faculty, and staff and in the outcomes of their work.”

The State of the University event will not be limited to remarks from the university president. Campus leaders representing several parts of the RIT community will also have an opportunity to speak.

Representatives from the Division of Access, Engagement, and Success, Faculty Senate, Staff Council and Student Government are scheduled to take part. Their participation will give students, employees and other members of the university community a chance to hear perspectives from different areas of campus.

For members of the RIT community who cannot attend in person, the university will provide another way to follow the event. The address will be livestreamed through the Office of the President webpage, allowing people at RIT’s global campuses and remote locations to watch.

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Students, faculty and staff on campus are nevertheless encouraged to attend the event at the Performing Arts Center. The in-person gathering will also give members of the community a chance to come together and hear directly from university leaders.

A reception will be held immediately after the address in the foyer. The gathering will provide an opportunity for attendees to continue conversations following the formal program.

With the new academic year underway, the State of the University address is expected to serve as both a review of what RIT has accomplished and a preview of the priorities that will shape the year ahead.