RIT, Cable Industry Team to Create Cable College

Rochester Institute of Technology’s College of Applied Science and Technology is teaming with the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers to create the first cable-centric educational program for telecommunications technicians and engineers in the cable industry.

The program, called Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers Cable College at RIT, will be offered exclusively online through distance education. The society’s education advisory board, which is comprised of representatives from Comcast Cable Communications, Cox Communications, Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable, will assist in reviewing and guiding the curriculum.

“This ultimately should help us to develop new courses that give our students new choices in breadth and depth,” says Mike Eastman, chair of the electrical, computer and telecommunications engineering technology program. “It allows us to reach a very wide-range of students geographically. We also get to, through the advisory board, pull in some expertise that is unique to the cable telecommunications engineers. It’s really a very good partnership.”

Courses will be offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels though both the telecommunications engineering technology program and the Center for Multidisciplinary Studies. Certificate programs will also be available.

“This program is being developed in conjunction with industry partners for the purpose of advancing the knowledge and workplace competencies of a targeted, growing industry,” says Jim Myers, director of the Center for Multidisciplinary Studies.

College of Applied Science and Technology Interim Dean Carol Richardson is excited for the program to launch.

“The Cable College will allow us to continue to build relationships with the cable industry and this partnership will aid us in our effort to provide students with high caliber, career focused education for this industry,” Richardson says.