Rick Lagiewski
Co-Director Executive Education, External Engagement
Rick Lagiewski
Co-Director Executive Education, External Engagement
Education
BS, MS, Rochester Institute of Technology; Ph.D., Edinburgh Napier University (United Kingdom)
Bio
Rick Lagiewski is a Principal Lecturer in the Management Department and Co-Director of the EMBA and Executive Education Programs. He has taught university-level business courses for more than 30 years and received the Distinguished Lecturer Award from RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology. His research explores destination development, marketing, and management, including the lodging sector’s role in destination resilience during crises, supported by a grant from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation. His current research examines hospitality services and support for vulnerable consumers. Rick has lectured, taught, and led study abroad programs in Costa Rica, Italy, Croatia, Kosovo, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates.
Beyond the classroom, Rick has worked with the EastWest Institute on cross-border institution building for tourism in the Balkans. Through a funded U.S. Department of State fellowship, he conducted research in Croatia on lodging-sector privatization during the country’s transition to a market economy. He also developed a gamification-based project to market and promote destination attractions, funded by New York State’s Path Through History tourism marketing program. His service training seminars and courses have served corporations undergoing transition in Croatia, the wine industry throughout New York State, and energy-sector managers in Kosovo.
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In the News
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June 2, 2026
Physician leader uses RIT EMBA degree to bridge business and patient care
Shubha Shastry earned an RIT Executive MBA to bridge business strategy and patient care.
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January 13, 2026
Executive MBA program plans targeted curriculum updates
The Executive MBA program at Saunders College of Business is preparing a set of curriculum updates with the aim of better aligning executive education with the needs of the current business environment.
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November 25, 2025
EMBA students build community through a traveling stuffed tiger
A stuffed tiger named Cash is becoming their unlikely symbol of connection, traveling from home to home as a tangible link between classmates across the country.