RIT Names H. Fred Walker Dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology

H. Fred Walker, a veteran teacher, scholar and administrator from the University of Southern Maine, has been appointed dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology at Rochester Institute of Technology.

RIT President Bill Destler formally announced the selection today. Walker was chosen from a field of five finalists and officially begins his new role Aug. 1.

“I am absolutely excited about this opportunity,” Walker states. “There is so much potential in the College of Applied Science and Technology. It’s very clear that its faculty, staff and students are of a world-class caliber. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

Walker has served as chair of the technology department at the University of Southern Maine since 2002. He has published nine feature-length books and has secured contracts to write five additional books. Additionally, he has authored 32 refereed journal articles and papers in conference proceedings. He has secured in excess of $2.6 million in external funding via grants and contracts.

“Dr. Walker has contagious energy,” says Destler. “He is a wonderful match to both the current needs and aspirations of the College of Applied Science and Technology.”

In his role as chair of the technology department at the University of Southern Maine, Walker oversaw programs that were offered on campus as well as at numerous regional satellite locations and at selected military and industrial sites located throughout the state of Maine through face-to-face delivery, instructional television and compressed video. Walker also led department faculty in the development and implementation of a department-level strategic plan in addition to the development and implementation of student recruitment and retention plans.

“I am excited that Dr. Walker will be joining the RIT community as the next dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology,” says Jeremy Haefner, RIT’s incoming senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “His experience with shared governance and administrative leadership will serve him very well. Dr. Walker understands innovation and creativity, and this insight will be a solid asset to the College of Applied Science and Technology.” Haefner will assume his post July 1.

Walker began his academic career as an assistant professor at the University of Southern Maine in 1995. He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology and a master’s degree in business administration from California State University and a master’s degree in systems engineering and a doctorate degree in industrial education and technology from Iowa State University.

Additionally, Walker served nine years in the U.S. Navy, where he received “Secret Security Clearance” from the U.S. National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigations and Department of Defense. Walker served in a number of technological capacities, concluding his Naval career as a program manager in information systems administration before being honorably discharged in 1992.

The College of Applied Science and Technology is the largest of RIT’s eight colleges, comprising 24 percent of RIT’s enrollment. The college is home to a wide variety of engineering technology programs, the School of Hospitality and Service Management, the Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, the Army and Air Force ROTC programs, the American College of Management and Technology in Croatia and the American University in Kosovo.