The Napier Experience
Own Your Story
Shape your personal brand.
Network with industry leaders.
The Napier Experience is an opportunity to learn from industry leaders, build your personal brand, and find inspiration as you design your individualized degree. Each fall, students in the School of Individualized Study are invited to apply. Up to 20 participants are chosen to experience a full-day retreat at Partners + Napier, a nationally recognized advertising agency in Rochester, NY.
Hosted and led by RIT alumna Sharon Napier, founder of Partners + Napier and a member of RIT’s Board of Trustees, the retreat welcomes you into an inspiring space for guided reflection, interactive learning, and collaborative workshops. Throughout the day, you’ll connect with creative professionals in areas like brand strategy, creative direction, and storytelling while you gain a behind-the-scenes look at agency life and the skills that power it.
Once you complete the experience, you’ll become a Napier Fellow, enabling you to enjoy benefits that include:
Your Napier Experience
Building Your Personal Brand
Learn how to own your story—and present it with confidence—through interactive sessions with executive mentors.
Ongoing Growth
Following the retreat, students continue to engage in conversations, workshops, and real-world mentoring to further sharpen their skills.
Networking With Impact
Connect with RIT alumni, Rochester business leaders, and changemakers who are invested in your success.
Leadership That Fits You
Explore different leadership styles, best practices, and your own strengths through hands-on workshops and guided reflection.
Ready to Join?
The Napier Experience occurs each fall with invitations to apply going out to all School of Individualized Study students within the first three weeks of the fall semester. Those interested in applying should share their interest with their advisor or Meg Walbaum, Director for Strategic Partnerships in the School of Individualized Study.
About Sharon Napier
Sharon D. Napier '04 MS is the chair and founder of Partners + Napier, a nationally recognized advertising agency based in Rochester, NY. A respected RIT alumna, industry leader, and mentor, Sharon is known for her creativity, charisma, and commitment to lifting up the next generation of changemakers. As both a trustee of RIT and the visionary behind the Napier Experience, Sharon has created a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students in the School of Individualized Study to grow their confidence, explore their leadership potential, and connect directly with professionals who are shaping the future of business, branding, and communication.