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research dossier

Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY · EIN 160743140 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B430 · Education · Very Large (>$50M) · rit.edu
revenue
$1.2B
expenses
$1.1B
net assets
$2.3B
employees
12,536
volunteers
4,110
program ratio
93%
mission · from form 990

ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (RIT) SHAPES THE FUTURE AND IMPROVES THE WORLD THROUGH CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION. AS AN ENGAGED, INTELLECTUALLY CURIOUS, AND SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY, RIT LEVERAGES THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY, THE ARTS, AND DESIGN FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

profile · synthesized from sources

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a comprehensive university focused on education, research, and innovation in technology, the arts, and design. It serves a global student population through undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing experiential learning, research, and community engagement. RIT leverages its academic and research capabilities to address societal challenges and advance knowledge.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $163.20M
    Student and Auxiliary Services - Student services provide students with additional enrichment and educational opportunities. Such services include student health, athletics, and other recreational activities. Auxiliaries provide essential services to students in support of RIT's educational mission. These services include housing operations and dining services. SURPLUSES FROM AUXILIARY SERVICES SUPPORT THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE UNIVERSITY.
  2. #2 $96.47M
    Research and Public Support - RIT engages in public service activities that benefit the general community in which it resides, including training, postsecondary education for the deaf and hard of hearing, and K-12 programs. RIT also conducts research to advance the body of knowledge, enhance student and faculty learning and build its reputation in the scientific and technical communities in support of, or in concert with, the University's exempt mission, while providing positive returns to our sponsoring partners. As articulated in RIT's strategic plan, the University continues to place emphasis on its revenue growth in the research portfolio.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Kids on Campus
Summer program offering educational and enrichment activities for K-12 students, including science workshops and creative arts
National Institute for the Deaf (NTID)
Provides educational and support services for deaf and hard of hearing students, including specialized instruction and outreach programs
Research and Public Support
Conducts research in science, technology, and design; offers training and educational programs for the deaf and hard of hearing; and engages in K-12 outreach
Student and Auxiliary Services
Provides student health, athletics, housing, dining, and other enrichment services that support RIT's educational mission
activities · 13 groups

What they do

  • Biomedical Research and Innovation 2 activities
    • AI and computational research
      Conducts research using hybrid AI to reduce error in liver simulation, develops AI algorithms to improve efficiency and accessibility of everyday tasks, and is launching an artificial intelligence institute in 2027 with recruitment for a founding director underway.
    • Biomedical and health-related research
      Conducts biomedical research on microbes in saliva linked to cardiac disease, engages in regenerative medicine research through experiential learning, and researches the use of music to reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric patients.
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support Services 1 activity
    • Accessibility and inclusive design research
      Conducts research and trains designers to create accessible websites and mobile networks for people with disabilities and developed new American Sign Language signs for organic chemistry in collaboration with interpreters to improve learning outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing students.
  • University-Specific Endowment and Program Funding 1 activity
    • Endowment and scholarship development
      Strengthens endowments for three distinguished professorships by adding $6 million each and expands scholarship support by adding $1 million to the J. K. Harris Endowed Scholarship for the Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars program.
  • Ocean and Plastic Pollution Research and Reduction 1 activity
    • Environmental and sustainability research
      Conducts research on microplastic pollution in Georgian Bay using mathematical models, develops biodegradable corn-based packaging to reduce food waste, researches circular economy models for waste management in island nations, and studies nanomaterials for clean energy technologies.
  • Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
    • Experiential learning through co-op program
      Operates a large co-op program where more than 5,000 students annually gain paid work experience in various career fields, contributing to RIT’s national ranking for co-ops and internships.
  • Higher Education Degree Programs 1 activity
    • First-of-its-kind undergraduate degree in motion picture science
      Offers a first-of-its-kind undergraduate degree in motion picture science.
  • Wildlife Monitoring and Field Research 1 activity
    • Interdisciplinary research in animal behavior and perception
      Conducts faculty-led research on the visual perception of North American River Otters to improve their quality of life.
  • Admissions and Enrollment Support Services 1 activity
    • Prospective student outreach
      Provides inquiry forms for prospective students to request information about attending RIT.
  • Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
    • Public access to Tait Preserve
      Hosts open grounds events at Tait Preserve for the RIT community and opens the grounds monthly from May through October for public access to gardens and trails.
  • Student Housing and Residential Services 1 activity
    • Student health, housing, and auxiliary services
      Provides student health, athletics, recreational activities, housing, and dining services to support student enrichment and the educational mission, with surpluses from these services supporting the university's operating budget.
  • Student Support and Academic Services 1 activity
    • Student orientation and transition support
      Operates a formal orientation program assigning each new student an Orientation Leader to facilitate campus familiarization, hosts Welcome Day featuring move-in and resource fairs, and provides limited programming to help new students settle in prior to the official start of orientation.
  • Scientific Conference & Symposium Management 1 activity
    • Undergraduate research symposium and showcase
      Hosts the 35th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and showcases undergraduate research and creative projects from all colleges on campus, providing a platform for students to present research and innovative ideas.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Academic programs in microelectronics and microsystems
      Hosts the nation's first BS and MS degree programs in microelectronic engineering and the first Ph.D. program in microsystems engineering, along with advanced research facilities for semiconductor and photonic device fabrication.
    • Advanced materials and engineering research
      Engages students in hands-on research to develop advanced materials for solar energy, health care, and agriculture; participates as a key partner in a $15 million NSF-funded national laser technology hub initiative; and contributes faculty researchers from multiple departments to the same initiative.
    • Film, animation, and digital media research
      Conducts research to bridge digital filmmaking tools with full cinematic presentation, supports student preparation for technical leadership roles in film and animation, and is recognized in The Hollywood Reporter’s top film schools ranking for three consecutive years, including a No. 21 ranking in 2026.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.17B
Contributions & grants$210.89M18%
Program service revenue$872.96M74%
Investment income$80.88M7%
Other revenue$8.97M
expenses
Total expenses$1.13B
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$480.99M
Grants paid out$421.01M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.97B
Cash$127.70M
Investments$1.76B
Liabilities$688.59M
Net assets$2.28B
Liquid reserves20.1 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +1.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 21
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DAVID C MUNSON PRESIDENT 40 $1.42M
JAMES H WATTERS SVP FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION 40 $743K
NABIL Z NASR ASSOC PROVOST DIR GOLISANO INST OF SUSTAINABILITY 40 $713K
PRABU DAVID PROVOST & SR VP FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS 40 $597K
PHILLIP D CASTLEBERRY VP UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT 40 $528K
JACQUELINE MOZRALL DEAN SAUNDERS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS 40 $510K
ERSIN UZUN KATHERINE JOHNSON ENDOWED EXEC. DIR. GLOBAL CYBERSECURITY INSTITUTE 40 $463K
GERARD BUCKLEY PRESIDENT NTID & VP AND DEAN RIT 40 $458K
SANDRA S JOHNSON SVP STUDENT AFFAIRS 40 $452K
ROBERT COLON VP & GENERAL COUNSEL 40 $452K
RYNE RAFFAELLE VP RESEARCH 40 $450K
DOREEN EDWARDS DEAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING 40 $423K
JOHN K TRIERWEILER VP CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER 40 $419K
DONALD F FIGER PROF AND DIR CENTER FOR DETECTORS 40 $409K
KATHLEEN DAVIS VP ENROLLMENT MGMT & ASSOC PROVOST 40 $406K
KEITH JENKINS VP & ASSOCIATE PROVOST FOR ACCESS, ENGAGEMENT, AND SUCCESS 40 $346K
VANESSA J HERMAN VP FOR GOVT & COMMUNITY RELATIONS 40 $339K
LISA A CHASE VP & SECRETARY OF THE UNIVERSITY 40 $323K
COLLEEN F PETERSON ASSOCIATE VP ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT 40 $284K
CHRISTINE M LICATA VICE PROVOST FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS 40 $240K
KAREN A BARROWS CHIEF OF STAFF 40 $187K
board members · 4
  • ANDREW N BRENNEMAN — TRUSTEE
  • ANDREW R JACOBSON — TRUSTEE
  • ARTHUR A GOSNELL — TRUSTEE
  • AUSTIN W MCCHORD — TRUSTEE
relationships · 25

Who they work with

  • AmeriCOM Partner — Partner in the STELLAR initiative supporting laser and photonics innovation in the region.
  • Animation Career Review Network — Recognized RIT’s School of Film and Animation in national rankings.
  • Google Partner — RIT student completed an internship at Google that transitioned into a full-time job, reflecting a talent pipeline or industry collaboration.
  • Greater Rochester Enterprise Partner — Partner in the STELLAR initiative supporting regional economic growth in laser technology.
  • Institute of Optics Partner — Key partner in the STELLAR national laser technology hub initiative led by the University of Rochester.
  • Jeff Harris Partner — Board of Trustees member and donor supporting AI leadership, faculty excellence, and student success initiatives at RIT
  • Joyce Pratt Partner — President’s Roundtable member, donor, and chair of the College of Liberal Arts National Council supporting RIT initiatives
  • L3/Harris Corp. Partner — RIT alumnus applies interdisciplinary education in a professional role at L3/Harris Corp., indicating industry partnership or employment pipeline.
  • Laboratory for Laser Energetics Partner — Key partner in the STELLAR national laser technology hub initiative led by the University of Rochester.
  • Luminate Partner — Partner in the STELLAR initiative supporting innovation in laser and photonics technologies.
  • Monroe Community College Partner — Partner in the STELLAR initiative, contributing expertise in optical systems technology education and workforce development.
  • National Science Foundation Government — Awarded $15 million over two years to establish the STELLAR national laser technology hub.
  • National Science Foundation Government — Funder and sponsor of the STELLAR regional innovation engine in which RIT participates.
  • New York State Government — Provides $16 million in state support over six years for the STELLAR national laser technology hub.
  • NextCorps Partner — Partner in the STELLAR initiative focused on commercializing laser and optics technologies.
  • Optic Sky Partner — RIT alumnus founded Optic Sky and hires current RIT students for production crews, establishing an alumni-led industry partnership.
  • Passero Associates Partner — Hires RIT students and graduates for their collaborative nature and interpersonal skills, indicating an ongoing employer partnership.
  • The Hollywood Reporter Network — Recognized RIT’s School of Film and Animation in its annual ranking of top U.S. film schools.
  • TheWrap Network — Recognized RIT as one of the nation’s top film schools.
  • U.S. News & World Report Network — Recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings across multiple categories.
  • University of Rochester Partner — Key partner in the NSF-funded STELLAR initiative to advance laser research and workforce development.
  • Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE) Partner — Partners with RIT to develop smarter medical devices and systems using hybrid AI and biophysical modeling.
  • Vanderbilt University Partner — Collaborates with RIT on advancing surgical guidance technologies through biophysical simulation and hybrid AI.
  • Variety Network — Recognized RIT as one of the top innovative film schools in the country.
  • W.G. Arthur Co. Partner — RIT alumnus serves as vice president, suggesting an industry connection or employment relationship.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Gray-Box Modeling for Medical AI
    methodology: gray-box_modeling
    By integrating physics-based models with deep learning, RIT improves accuracy and interpretability in medical AI systems because combining prior scientific knowledge with data-driven methods enhances both performance and transparency.
  • Integrated Research and Industry-Aligned Education
    methodology: industry-integrated_education
    By integrating research, design, and technology with input from working professionals and alumni networks, RIT aligns education with real-world demands because sustained industry engagement ensures curriculum relevance and workforce readiness.
  • Interdisciplinary Integration of AI and Human-Centered Design
    methodology: human-centered_ai
    By advancing AI education and research across disciplines while emphasizing human judgment and creativity, RIT develops responsible technologies because technological innovation is most effective when shaped by ethical, social, and humanistic insight.
  • Peer-Led Student Transition Support
    methodology: peer_led_transition
    By using current students as Orientation Leaders, RIT enhances new student engagement and integration because peer mentorship builds trust, models successful behaviors, and fosters social belonging during critical transition periods.