Affiliated Centers
Research and Academic Centers of Excellence
At RIT, curious minds connect across business, technology, art, and design to move the world forward. Our university-wide centers of excellence and multidisciplinary research labs provide the state-of-the-art infrastructure, funding, and mentorship you need to prototype a product, scale a venture, or pioneer industry-changing solutions.
Competitive Sustainability Center
- Bridging business strategy and environmental stewardship for global impact: The Competitive Sustainability Center in Saunders College of Business leverages the multidisciplinary strengths of Saunders and RIT to help businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies identify and capitalize on sustainable growth.
- Collaborative Research: Engages students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners in publishing groundbreaking findings and executing real-world sustainability initiatives.
ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute
- A nexus of artificial intelligence, security research, and workforce development: RIT’s ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute trains world-class cybersecurity professionals and develops AI-driven solutions to safeguard critical infrastructure, government networks, and emerging businesses.
- Academic & Research Leader: Home to top-tier bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in cybersecurity.
- Global Competition Hub: Host of major national and international cybersecurity events, including the Global Finals of the Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition.
Institute for Business, Government, and Society at RIT
- Exploring the critical intersections shaping our global economy: Directed by Dr. Sandy Rothenberg, the Institute for Business, Government, and Society serves as RIT's hub for interdisciplinary research and teaching at the nexus of corporate enterprise, public policy, and societal well-being. The institute brings together scholars and leaders to address pressing ethical, regulatory, and economic challenges.
- Empowering visionary leaders at the intersection of business and technology: The Leadership Academy @ Saunders delivers innovative, experiential leadership development designed to build confidence and strategic vision.
- Tailored Pathways: Offers specialized leadership development programming for high school students, undergraduates, graduate scholars, alumni, and corporate partners.
- Applied Skill-Building: Focuses on self-awareness, team dynamics, and cross-functional technology leadership to differentiate graduates in the modern job market.
- Where digital media research meets high-tech entrepreneurship: RIT’s MAGIC Center is a university-wide research center and production studio that blurs the lines between art and technology. With a multidisciplinary team of digital media researchers, game designers, and artists, MAGIC brings an entrepreneurial approach to commercializing original media, games, and interactive technologies.
Simone Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- The campus-wide launching pad for hands-on, experiential learning: Established in 2007, the Simone Center serves as RIT's central hub for student-led innovation. By bringing together multi-talented teams from business, engineering, design, computer science, and the liberal arts, the center guides student founders through customer discovery, prototyping, and early-stage business development.
Student Hall for Exploration and Development (SHED)
- RIT's flagship hub for making, performing, and collaborative discovery: The Student Hall for Exploration and Development (SHED) purposely unites technology, art, and design under one iconic roof. Designed for a new generation of creative thinkers, the SHED features:
- Makerspaces & Labs: Centralized rapid-prototyping labs, high-tech tools, and project team spaces.
- Performing Arts Center: State-of-the-art dance studios, rehearsal rooms, and performance theaters that fuel creative expression across disciplines.
Center for Urban Entrepreneurship
- Reshaping the regional economy through inclusive business growth: Located in the heart of Rochester’s downtown business district at 40 Franklin Street (the historic Rochester Savings Bank building), the Center for Urban Entrepreneurship fosters wealth creation and business stability in underserved communities. CUE provides strategic advisory services, incubator programming, and research tailored to urban business owners across the nine-county region.
- Transforming high-tech research into market-ready commercial ventures: Venture Creations Incubator (VCI) helps seed-stage and mid-seed technology startups scale efficiently and secure outside investment.
- Expert Coaching: Pairs founders with experienced on-staff executive mentors.
- Vetted Partner Network: Connects entrepreneurs with specialized legal, financial, marketing, and human resources expertise to maximize commercial success.