RIT Kosovo names first female president

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Sharon Y. Hart

Rochester Institute of Technology and the American University in Kosovo Foundation (AUKF) announce Sharon Y. Hart as president of RIT Kosovo. Hart succeeds Winfred L. Thompson, who is retiring later this month.

Hart will become the first woman to lead RIT Kosovo and most recently served as president of the Northern Marianas College in Saipan, located in the U.S. commonwealth of the Western Pacific.

“I am delighted to have been named by the board of trustees as the next president of this great institution,” said Hart. “I have long known about RIT Kosovo and have over the years watched its development and growth from afar.”

Hart is a graduate of Michigan State University and received her master’s degree from Indiana State University and her doctorate from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

AUKF Chairman of the Board Rich Lukaj said Hart impressed faculty, staff, students and alumni with her enthusiasm and commitment. “I am confident that RIT Kosovo will thrive under her leadership,” Lukaj said.

Founded in September 2003, RIT Kosovo is located in the capital city of Prishtina and currently serves students from more than 20 countries around the world. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs in the English language, and is the only Kosovo institution of higher education awarding American degrees.

RIT is also home to RIT Croatia, RIT Dubai, and has academic partnerships in China, Dominican Republic as well as several other nations.