September 2025

Accomplishments from Saunders Students

• Julia (Jay) Ferreira ‘28 (hospitality and tourism management, interior design), president of the American Hotel and Lodging Association club at RIT, has announced the AHLA’s production of a fundraising cookbook of Saunders family recipes from around the world. Saunders students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit family recipes for the cookbook. Alumni are encouraged to submit recipes as well. 

• Samantha Phillips ‘25 (hospitality and tourism management) took Flood Hydrology and Wine Ecology in Wurzburg, Germany, during summer 2025 as part of the Study Abroad program. The course examines how “climate change impacts wine production and how sustainable practices can reduce runoff, protect ecosystems, and support climate-resilient agriculture.” Hear about her experience in the Saunders blog.

• Reza Mian ‘26 (MIS) completed a summer 2025 internship with Dick’s Sporting Goods in Pittsburgh, PA. Mian was a member of the Store Analytics Team, where he worked on a project focused on refining the store conversion goal restatement process

Learn more about these accomplishments and read previous months online.

Saunders Faculty and Staff Go Above and Beyond

• Anthony Testa ‘96 (MBA) joins the department of finance and accounting as a visiting lecturer beginning August 18, 2025.
  
  

• Aisha Faiq ‘24 (international business management) joins the department of Executive Education as Senior Admissions Officer beginning September 15, 2025.

• dt ogilvie, dean emerita and professor emerita, was elected to the board of The PhD Project.

Learn more about these accomplishments and read previous months online.

Alumni News and Recognitions

• Amanda Williams, Ph.D., '07 (new media marketing) '10 (MBA) joins emlyon business school as an associate professor of sustainability strategy on October 1, 2025. This year she received two awards for her research: the Excellence in Societally Relevant Management Scholarship award from the International Federation of Scholarly Associations of Management and the Emerging Scholar award from the Organizations and the Natural Environment Division of the Academy of Management.

• Peter Bilzerian ‘20 (MIS) has been named U.S. Managing Director of the newly opened Global Headquarters of MPP Insights, a data analytics and AI company with roots in Armenia, in Richmond, VA.

• Ebony Miller ‘21 (EMBA), director of the RIT Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, will be inducted into the Monroe Community College Alumni Hall of Fame on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, as MCC celebrates its 34th Annual Salute to Excellence at the Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
  
  
• Stephanie Glamack ‘94 (accounting) has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who for her expertise in accounting and entrepreneurship. 

Learn more about alumni accomplishments and read previous months online.

We want to feature you! Students, alumni, faculty, and staff — share your news with your Saunders community by emailing us at communications@saunders.rit.edu.

News

• Saunders in the U.S. News & World Report Rankings, 2026
  Saunders is ranked 77th in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Business category for 2026. Among New York State schools, Saunders is fifth. RIT rises to No. 88 nationally. 

• Saunders College of Business in QS World Rankings, 2026
  Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology is nationally and internationally ranked and recognized. Saunders received several high rankings from QS World. 
  
  

• William H. Sanders installed as RIT’s 11th president
  RIT will become a destination not just for students but for ideas, Bill Sanders said as part of formal ceremonies to install him as RIT’s 11th president. RIT community members, delegates from 42 universities, and state and community leaders attended the tradition-filled ceremony on Sept. 26.

See these and past news online.

Media Coverage

• First connections can impact your career trajectory
  Fast Company shares an essay by Soon Hyeok Choi, assistant professor in the department of finance and accounting, originally published by The Conversation. 
  

See more media coverage.

Recap of Events

• Saunders College of Business recently celebrated its annual Fall Picnic, drawing a large turnout of students. Attendees enjoyed a variety of free food, engaged in popular lawn games, and personalized their gear at a tie-dye station, making the event a vibrant and successful start to the academic year.
  
  
• The Hospitality Department successfully transformed the SAU Lobby for World Tourism Day, creating a lively celebration of global culture and travel. A large student turnout enjoyed international snacks, fun activities like mini passports and trivia, and great conversations, making the event a highly successful and lively experience for the college community.
  
  
• Professor Johan Wiklund, Al Berg Chair and Professor of Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University, recently presented a compelling talk titled, Job demands- Resources and employee sick leave in scale ups: A Gender-Inequality Paradox at Saunders. 

Upcoming Events

• Undergraduate Open House: October 13 and 25 at 8:15 a.m. 
• Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend:  October 17-19 
  -Ted's Tequila Tasting: October 17 at 6:30 p.m. 
  -Sip & Savor - Wine Tasting: October 18 at 12 p.m. 
  -Sip & Savor - Cocktail Tasting: October 18 at 3:45 p.m. 
• Accounting Traveling Tigers: October 21 at 7 a.m. 
• Executive MBA Open House: Octber 22 at 5 p.m. 
• Business Horizons: Hospitality and Service Industry Day: October 23 at 2 p.m.

See these and upcoming events online.