Munson named president of Rochester Institute of Technology

Selected from a national pool of candidates by the Institute’s board of trustees, Munson will assume the top post on July 1, 2017.

The Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering at U-M from 2006 to 2016, Munson succeeds Bill Destler, RIT’s president since 2007. He will preside over a university with 18,700 students and an endowment of more than $750 million.

“It is a great honor and privilege to become the next president of what I believe to be a gem in higher education,” said Munson. “I was drawn to RIT when I observed an exciting portfolio of academic programs, research with impact to solve global problems and an ability to stay focused on the overall student experience. I was truly impressed with RIT’s strengths in the arts, as well as technology, and how they are blended. I look forward to maintaining university traditions and simultaneously building on the 2025 Strategic Plan, ‘Greatness through Difference.’ I am eager to meet members of the RIT community and work with them to reach their aspirations.”

During his tenure as a dean at Michigan, Munson fostered a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that helped grow enrollment from 7,496 students in 2006 to more than 10,000 students in 2016. He also spearheaded a new, $75 million robotics center at U-M, one of only a few universities to offer both master’s and doctoral degrees in robotics.

“I, Michigan Engineering and the University as a whole have benefited greatly from Dave’s innovative ideas, his dedication and his relentless drive to help the College achieve preeminence,” said Alec Gallimore, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering at U-M. 

 “I look forward to watching this next phase of his career unfold.”

Munson holds a BS degree in electrical engineering (with distinction) from the University of Delaware, as well as MS, MA and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Princeton University. He joined U-M in 2003 as chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Today, he continues to serve U-M as a professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

“We are proud to welcome Dr. Munson to RIT and look forward to him leading the university through its next exciting chapter,” said Christine Whitman, chair of the RIT Board of Trustees. “His extensive academic experience, respected research credentials, demonstrated leadership, engagement with students and global vision will propel RIT to new heights. ”