Change in RIT Certified
Dear RIT Faculty and Staff,
Over the past five years, RIT Certified has offered professional education and workforce-development opportunities for employers and working professionals. The team has also built important industry relationships and helped advance RIT’s commitment to lifelong learning.
However, revenue has consistently fallen short of projections every year. Following a several-month review of its operations and long-term sustainability, which began well before the launch of the Building Operational Excellence initiative, we concluded that the current standalone model is not financially sustainable. On December 1, 2026, RIT Certified will become part of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), with significantly reduced staffing.
I recognize that this decision deeply affects colleagues who have given a great deal to RIT Certified and to our community. We are committed to supporting them. Human Resources is working with each RIT Certified colleague in this transition to provide individualized support, including helping them apply for open RIT positions that match their qualifications.
Existing RIT Certified contractual commitments will be honored, including currently scheduled or committed courses. These activities will move to CTL under the leadership of Executive Director Neil Hair. Dr. Hair will integrate the necessary RIT Certified functions into CTL while maintaining a focused non-degree workforce-development capability. He will work with RIT’s colleges and other university partners to ensure continuity of service and management of external relationships. In addition, edX activities will be moved to Dr. Jim Hall, executive director of SOIS and Dean, University Studies.
We remain committed to providing workforce development and will continue to support professional education in areas where RIT has distinctive expertise and where there is a clear workforce need.
In closing, I want to recognize and personally thank Rosalie Clemens and our colleagues who have built and supported RIT Certified for their leadership and service. Their work has expanded access to professional learning and strengthened RIT’s relationships with corporate and community partners.
We will share additional information as transition planning continues. You may direct any questions to me via email at provost@rit.edu. Thank you for your continued support of RIT and for the work you do every day on behalf of our students and the university.
Sincerely,
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs