Introduction
For nearly two centuries, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has been defined by bold ideas and a spirit of creativity and innovation.
What began as a union of a cultural institution and a technical training school in Rochester, N.Y., has grown into a global university with several international locations. Our story is one of purposeful growth and enduring momentum. Building on the foundation laid by previous strategic initiatives, we stand at a pivotal moment: one ripe with challenge and possibility. Now is the time to harness our collective creativity and shape a future that will redefine what is possible for RIT and the world.
RIT’s purpose is clear: to educate and empower the next generation of leaders, innovators, creators, and problem-solvers, who will advance society and create new knowledge and innovations that contribute to the greater good. We value curiosity and the joy of discovery as well as the outcomes they inspire. The world needs a university that blends technology, the arts, and design to create solutions and opportunities that make life better for all. It’s a responsibility that gives meaning to everything we do and defines the impact we seek—locally, nationally, and globally.
This Strategic Framework charts our path forward, grounded in our history yet focused on the future. We will cement our position as a university that:
- prepares students for careers, including those that do not yet exist
- addresses research challenges with purpose and creativity
- drives innovation that makes the world better
Our aspirations are ambitious: to deliver a transformative student experience and pioneer world-changing research powered by curiosity, creativity, and innovation. At RIT, interdisciplinarity is our identity. Through experiential learning, global engagement, and an inclusive, welcoming community, we prepare leaders who will drive positive change in every sector and every corner of the world.
This framework reflects what makes us uniquely RIT: a university where people make the difference, ideas become impact, and education is the driving force for progress.
Our Promise and Our Future
At RIT, we promise to prepare learners to anticipate what’s next and to define the future—through discovery, creativity, and research that expands the boundaries of possibility.
As emerging technologies redefine the boundaries of what is possible, RIT views these advancements not as replacements for human agency but as catalysts for a flourishing world. In an era of constant flux, the most critical skill is the ability to guide innovation toward the greater good. We are moving beyond the narrative of disruption toward a vision grounded in purpose—one where technology is fused with the arts, science, business, and humanities to strengthen the interconnected health of our communities and our environment. This Strategic Framework is rooted in the conviction that technology, the arts, and design are tools for systemic transformation, propelled by faculty whose world‑changing research and creative practice expand the frontier of knowledge and illuminate new pathways for human progress. Their work models the principled leadership we expect of our graduates and fuels the discoveries that shape a more just, sustainable, and imaginative future.
The RIT Edge
Our graduates are uniquely prepared to:
RIT will be known worldwide for integrating technology, the arts, and design as transformative tools across disciplines, empowering students, faculty, and staff—through research, collaboration, and creative exploration—to imagine and build a thriving future.