Dean’s Advisory Council

Overview

RIT’s College of Engineering Technology’s Dean’s Advisory Council is an advocacy and development group that supports the vision and mission of the college and RIT’s larger strategic plan. Involvement of alumni and friends of the college strengthens its ability to extend a tradition of excellence in education, research and outreach. Members include business, community, and alumni/ae leaders who serve as ambassadors to the college’s stakeholders and provide knowledge, external perspective and financial resources to advance the mission of the college. The advisory council’s efforts help to elevate RIT’s engineering technology, applied sciences, and applied management programs and to secure financial viability and expand the reputation and profile of the college at the state, national and international level.

RIT’s College of Engineering Technology offers one of the largest number of nationally recognized engineering technology majors, and internationally recognized programs in packaging, printing, and environmental health & safety. Engineering technology professionals work in the engineering environment as designers and systems analysts in problem‐solving teams. Established in 1972, it is one of the university’s largest colleges enrolling approximately one‐fifth of all students at RIT.

Meet the Advisory Council

Ronald C. Mead

Chair
M/E Engineering
CFO & Special Advisor

Jason Aymerich

JN White
President

Ross Berntson

Indium Corporation of America
President & COO

Jon Budington

More Vang
CEO

Dr. Chance M. Glenn, Sr.

University of Houston-Victoria
Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

Jim Hammer

Hammer Packaging
President & CEO

Rick Harris

General Electric Aviation
Vice President of Software Engineering  (Retd.)

Rick Iannello

Torq-Comm
President and CTO

Ronald Koff

DG3- Diversified Global Graphics Group
Vice President of Sales, Strategic Accounts (Retd.)

John Kukowski

Universal Instruments
Vice President OFA Division (Retd.)

Ben Meunier

Oakley
Vice President of Global Product Strategy

S. Manian Ramkumar

RIT College of Engineering Technology
Dean

Jess D. Sudol, PE

Passero Associates
President

Jeffrey L. Timms

ASM Assembly Systems
Managing Director of Americas

Thomas Trytek, P.E.

TDK Engineering Associates, P.C.
Vice President

Mission

The mission of the College of Engineering Technology Dean’s Advisory Council is to assist in the definition and realization of the goals of the college by utilizing the experience and expertise of the council members as consultants and resources on strategies and programs to advance the college. Advisory council members are engaged in providing leadership and guidance in curricular and philanthropic events and activities for the college. Council members should be committed to increasing the college’s visibility, promoting the individual programs within the college, assisting in areas of personal interest and serving as advocates for the college and RIT.

Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties

The members of the College of Engineering Technology Dean’s Advisory Council will accept, as part of their individual and collective responsibilities, an obligation to lead by example as:

  • Active, informed advocates for the college and its goals and plans in the wide range of settings where they have contacts and influence
  • Forward‐thinking advisors providing valuable insight in public and private sector trends within or related to engineering technology
  • Committed volunteers helping to build regional, national, and global interest and pride in the College of Engineering Technology and RIT, and assist in securing the financial and human resources needed for the college to meet its goals
  • Donors to the college, with annual financial contributions at a level of personal significance

In particular, members act as a valuable resource to the college by expanding the endowment for scholarships, professorships, programs and/or facilities. This is achieved by:

  • Becoming knowledgeable and articulate about the college’s initiatives and opportunities
  • Facilitating contacts with businesses, government, and the non‐profit sector to ensure college programs meet requirements today and in the future
  • Increasing sponsorship of students and student programs and opportunities for co‐op and full‐time hire of graduates at the college
  • Working with the dean, directors of development and alumni relations, RIT staff, and other members of the advisory council to increase philanthropic support and expand involvement of our alumnae/a network

Membership

The dean seeks to maintain a balanced cross section of individuals who share a strong commitment to advancing the college. Members bring to their roles varied backgrounds, talents and expertise, interests and capacities for financial support. New members may be suggested for membership by discussing the candidate with the dean. The college seeks members from the public and private sectors, and encourages cultural, racial, gender, age, and experiential diversity.

RIT’s College of Engineering Technology envisions advisory council members will develop a strong sense of involvement and commitment to the college and will make the college and university a major focus of their volunteer activity and commitments.

  • Members serve a three‐year renewable term
  • Total membership will not exceed 15 active members
  • Members are expected to attend semi‐annual advisory council meetings, either in person or remotely, to promote continuity
  • Members are expected to make an annual philanthropic contribution of personal significance with a goal of 100% participation by the advisory council
  • Member participation is expected on at least one committee
  • Members are expected to adhere to confidentiality constraints regarding development activities and donor information.

Committees

Committees shall be constructed as needed to fulfill the requirements of the advisory council and shall report to the advisory council. The standing committees shall include:

  • Student Success Committee: Guides activities related to enhancing student success in the college, including recruitment, retention, graduation, career development, job placement, co‐op placement, and general programming that improves student success (3 members from the council).
  • Student and Faculty Research/Scholarship and Industry Relations Committee: Provides recommendations and facilitates relationships that could lead to new opportunities for students. Faculties to engage in scholarly activities relevant to and supported by state and federal agencies, corporations, foundations, and other organizations external to RIT (3 members from the council).
  • Philanthropic Giving Committee: In consultation with the CET Director of Development, this committee guides activities related to fundraising campaigns or requests for philanthropic giving. Although chaired by a council member, this committee coordinates with the director of development, who will also participate as a staff representative on the committee (3 – 4 members from the council).
  • Women in Technology (WIT) Committee: Women in Technology at RIT (WIT) is a group of women committed to creating platforms that expand representation of women in the College of Engineering Technology. WIT is open to any female student enrolled in the college at the undergraduate or graduate level. The WIT Committee’s efforts nurture women in the college so they are well equipped to thrive academically and socially while at RIT and when they enter the workforce. Committee members will be encouraged to utilize expert knowledge of their fields and their networking connections to developing philanthropic support for Women in Technology.
  • Additional committees, such as an Alumni Engagement Committee, may be formed as directed by the advisory council chair and the dean. Committees must be chaired by an advisory council member. However, committee members can include ad hoc council representatives ‐ participants from outside the council membership who participate on council committees.