About Rochester Institute of Technology

Thérèse Hannigan, an Associate Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s College of Art and Design, brings over 25 years of expertise in design, strategy, and innovation. She specializes in teaching courses on UX, information architecture, and visual communication, focusing on human-centered learning that equips students with in-demand skills for real-world impact. Committed to guiding individuals and organizations through change, Thérèse leverages thoughtful design and strategic thinking to drive industry relevance. Explore her courses, including "Design Thinking Fundamentals" and the "Design Thinking MicroMasters,"

Leonie Fernandes serves as a Senior Lecturer in Project Management at Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Individualized Study bringing over 25 years of project management experience across multiple industries Her expertise spans high-tech manufacturing healthcare and automotive sectors where she has led major global projects Her academic credentials include a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a master's degree from Rochester Institute of Technology complemented by her certification as a Project Management Professional PMP She currently teaches comprehensive project management courses including PROF-510 Project Management PROF-710 Advanced Project Management and specialized courses in Agile methodologies Her teaching portfolio includes courses addressing project management fundamentals program management for product development and agile leadership Her extensive experience in coaching and mentoring project leaders both within the United States and internationally enriches her teaching approach She specializes in developing curriculum that combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications drawing from her extensive industry experience Her contributions to online education include co-teaching International Project Management courses making project management education accessible to a global audience Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of project management incorporating both behavioral and quantitative aspects of the discipline

Kelly Kraus serves as a Project Management Instructor at Rochester Institute of Technology bringing nearly 20 years of diverse project management experience across multiple sectors Her professional journey includes significant roles in education healthcare and human resources spanning organizations like McKinsey & Company and Korn Ferry where she developed expertise in systems administration process improvement and project coordination Her academic credentials include a BA in Journalism from The University of Georgia where she graduated magna cum laude and an MM in Human Resources Management from the University of Phoenix She holds certification as a Certified Professional Secretary demonstrating her commitment to professional excellence Her experience encompasses managing complex projects coordinating cross-functional teams and implementing system improvements across various industries Her teaching role at RIT allows her to share her practical experience and theoretical knowledge with students preparing them for real-world project management challenges Her expertise in both operational and strategic aspects of project management combined with her experience across multiple industries provides students with valuable insights into the diverse applications of project management principles.

Celine Gullace serves as an Instructor of Project Management at Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Individualized Study bringing over 20 years of experience in business management and education Her journey began in the South of France before moving to the United States in 1993 to pursue her education She has established herself as a distinguished educator specializing in project management and mathematics earning recognition for her teaching excellence Her expertise includes leading high-visibility projects and influencing business decisions across various sectors As a key instructor in RIT's Project Management program she teaches courses in International Project Management focusing on managing global teams cultural impacts and establishing efficient collaboration frameworks Her background as a native French speaker combined with her extensive experience in American business environments provides her with unique insights into international project management Her teaching approach incorporates both theoretical knowledge and practical applications drawing from her diverse business management experience She has contributed significantly to RIT's MicroMasters Program in Project Management helping develop comprehensive curriculum that addresses the challenges of managing projects in an international environment Her dedication to education and project management excellence continues to influence students and professionals in both domestic and international contexts.

Julie Napieralski serves as a Principal Lecturer in the School of Communication at Rochester Institute of Technology's College of Liberal Arts bringing extensive expertise in advertising and public relations education Her academic background includes a BS from Kent State University and an MS from Syracuse University She plays a key role in developing future communications professionals through her leadership of Technically Speaking RIT's student-managed advertising and public relations agency which provides students with hands-on professional experience while serving real clients Her work with students has led to notable achievements including guiding RIT's team to win the Best Q&A award at the American Advertising Federation National Student Advertising District 2 Competition where they placed fourth overall in their debut appearance Her teaching approach emphasizes practical experience and professional development demonstrated through her supervision of student projects for various clients including RIT's Division of Marketing and Communications Her dedication to combining academic instruction with real-world application has made her an invaluable mentor to students pursuing careers in advertising and public relations

Jennifer Englert PhD brings over 20 years of expertise in user experience human factors and interface design currently serving as a User Experience Researcher at Paychex and adjunct professor at Rochester Institute of Technology Her impressive career spans work with industry giants including Microsoft Apple NASA Kodak Xerox PARC and Conduent Labs where she has contributed to diverse projects ranging from space shuttle mission control to digital packaging and the future of work Her academic credentials include a BA in Psychology from Angelo State University and both MS and PhD in Cognitive Engineering from The Ohio State University where she also served as a Visiting Scholar and Lecturer Her research contributions are extensive including co-authorship of 21 patents and over 40 book chapters and peer-reviewed papers At RIT she teaches master's-level capstone classes in Industrial Engineering and has taught Introduction to Qualitative Policy Analysis in the Public Policy department while also contributing to the Simone Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Beyond her professional work she demonstrates her commitment to fostering creativity and innovation through coaching Odyssey of the Mind teams for seven years leading teams to state and world tournaments Her diverse expertise in user experience research business processes healthcare privacy and consumer analytics has established her as a leading voice in human-centered design and technology innovation.

Travis Masonis serves as CIO & Vice President of Information Technology and HIPAA Security and Corporate Compliance Officer at Jewish Senior Life bringing over fifteen years of technology leadership experience with thirteen years specifically focused on healthcare His academic credentials include a BS in Information Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MS in Healthcare Informatics Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College His expertise spans multiple healthcare environments including acute care ambulatory care specialty care post-acute care and long-term care As an Adjunct Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology he leads the Health Care Informatics course and teaches Data Analytics and Visualization in Health Care receiving praise for his detailed feedback and engaging teaching style His professional involvement includes serving on the advisory panel for healthsystemcio.com and previously as Director of Digital Rochester's IT Leaders Special Interest Group on the Digital Rochester Board of Directors His technical expertise is complemented by his Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification demonstrating his commitment to process improvement and efficiency in healthcare technology His teaching approach combines practical industry experience with academic rigor making complex healthcare informatics concepts accessible to students while preparing them for real-world challenges in healthcare technology leadership

Maria Ace serves as an Adjunct Faculty member at Rochester Institute of Technology's College of Art and Design while maintaining her role as a senior UX designer at a design thinking firm Her dual roles allow her to bring current industry practices and real-world experience directly into the classroom Her expertise in user experience design and design thinking methodologies enriches her teaching approach providing students with practical insights into the professional design world As a senior UX designer she specializes in creating user-centered solutions and implementing design thinking strategies across various projects Her teaching responsibilities at RIT focus on helping students understand the principles of user experience design and practical applications of design thinking Her professional experience in both academic and industry settings enables her to bridge the gap between theoretical design concepts and their practical implementation Her commitment to design education combined with her active industry involvement makes her a valuable resource for students pursuing careers in user experience and design thinking

As Director of Academic and Faculty Affairs for RIT Certified, Daniel loves helping bring to life the passion and expertise of subject matter experts in courses that help students advance their careers. As a math teacher for over a decade, he helped students think computationally and communicate their thinking using narratives, diagrams, code, or mathematical notation. In 2021, Daniel earned an MS in Data Science and joined RIT in 2022. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, meditation, and RIT hockey.

Keri Barone serves as Principal Lecturer and Director of Events for the School of Communication at Rochester Institute of Technology where she has been making significant contributions since 2007 Her academic credentials include both a BA in Communication and an MA in Rhetorical Criticism from SUNY Brockport As faculty advisor to Lambda Pi Eta the National Communication's Honors Society she has played a crucial role in fostering academic excellence and professional development among communication students Her initiatives include establishing a student-run colloquium series co-organizing RIT's institute-wide Public Speaking Contest and creating numerous opportunities for student engagement through guest speaker programs and community volunteer activities Her teaching expertise spans public speaking business communication technical communication and professional presentations She has been instrumental in developing innovative teaching methods and enhancing student learning experiences through practical applications and community involvement Her dedication to student success extends beyond the classroom through her work in organizing events that connect students with industry professionals and creating opportunities for hands-on learning experiences Her leadership in communication education continues to shape how students develop their professional communication skills and engage with their community.

David Neumann has served as Professor in the School of Communication at Rochester Institute of Technology since 1987 bringing extensive expertise in communication theory and research His academic credentials include a BA from Ithaca College and both MA and PhD from Bowling Green State University His distinguished career at RIT includes serving as Chair of the Department of Communication from 1992-1995 Faculty Research Associate in Distance Learning and Advertising Education Foundation Visiting Professor at DDB Chicago His teaching excellence has been recognized through multiple awards including the RIT Eisenhart Outstanding Teaching Award in 2001 RIT Excellence in Online Teaching and Learning Department Award in 2005 Sears-Roebuck Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award in 1990 and the International Communication Association Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award in 1987 His teaching portfolio includes foundational courses in Human Communication Communication Theory and Graduate Communication Theories His research focuses on improving collaboration and group cohesion in workplace settings Beyond his academic work he enjoys local music and disc golf His contributions to communication education continue to shape how students understand and apply communication principles in both academic and professional contexts

Thomas Dooley serves as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Communication at Rochester Institute of Technology bringing extensive experience as a two-time Emmy award-winning multiplatform producer His expertise spans digital content strategy video production photojournalism and long-form documentary production with a current focus on immersive storytelling in journalism His distinguished career includes producing over 150 short-form segments for PBS television and social media platforms as well as producing filming and editing nationally distributed documentaries including Dialogue In Metal and the Emmy award-winning Music for Life: The Story of New Horizons His professional experience encompasses multiple production roles from videographer to editor to producer taking him across five continents in pursuit of compelling stories His teaching at RIT focuses on sharing his practical industry experience in digital media production and storytelling techniques with students His work continues to influence both traditional and emerging forms of media particularly through his exploration of immersive journalism techniques His combination of industry achievement and educational dedication makes him a valuable asset in preparing the next generation of digital media professionals

Keith B Jenkins serves as Vice President & Associate Provost for Diversity & Inclusion and Professor of Communication at Rochester Institute of Technology bringing a wealth of experience in academic leadership and diversity initiatives since joining RIT in 1992 His academic journey began in Pine Bluff Arkansas leading to a BA in Communication from the University of Arkansas followed by MA and PhD degrees in Communication from Florida State University His leadership at RIT has included multiple pioneering roles including RIT's first Assistant Provost for Diversity Faculty-in-Residence Director of Undergraduate Degree Programs and founder of both RIT's Multicultural Center for Academic Success and the School of Communication's Journalism Degree program His excellence in teaching and leadership has earned numerous accolades including the 2010 Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching 2005 Isaac L Jordan Pluralism Award 2004 RIT Diversity Trailblazer Award and multiple Higher Education Opportunity Program Community Professor awards His scholarly work focuses on intercultural communication political and visual rhetoric and gospel song rhetoric with recent research examining pragmatism and inclusion rhetoric in Barack Obama's 2008 Presidential campaign His service-oriented approach extends across professional family ministry and community spheres demonstrating his commitment to fostering inclusive excellence In 2022 he received the inaugural Colors of Success DEI Award from the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce recognizing his exemplary leadership in advancing diversity equity and inclusion initiatives

Kari Cameron serves as Senior Lecturer and Advertising and Public Relations Undergraduate Program Director at Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Communication bringing extensive expertise in professional communication and education Her academic credentials include a BA in English with focus on Professional Communication and Information Design from Nazareth College complemented by an MS in Communication and Media Technologies from RIT and an MS in Education from Nazareth College Her teaching portfolio encompasses a broad range of subjects including Communication Digital Design for Communication Public Speaking Mass Communication Campaign Management and Planning and Human Communication As the incoming advisor for the Marketing Advertising and Public Relations MADPR club she demonstrates her commitment to student professional development beyond the classroom Her expertise in both communication and education allows her to create engaging learning experiences that bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications Her leadership in the Advertising and Public Relations program focuses on preparing students for successful careers in strategic communication while her multiple degrees in both communication and education enable her to implement effective teaching strategies Her dedication to student success and program development continues to shape the next generation of communication professionals

Elizabeth Reeves O'Connor serves as a Principal Lecturer at Rochester Institute of Technology bringing extensive experience in both technical communication and higher education Her academic credentials include a BS in Professional & Technical Communication and an MS in Communication & Media Technologies both from RIT Her career began as a technical documentation specialist before transitioning to higher education in 2005 where she has since made significant contributions to communication education As Director of RIT's Expressive Communication Center she plays a crucial role in supporting student and faculty presentation needs while teaching a diverse range of courses including Human Communication Interpersonal Communication Small Group Communication Public Speaking and Advanced Public Speaking Her leadership extends to organizing the bi-annual School of Communication public speaking competitions which provide students with valuable presentation experience Her work with the Expressive Communication Center has led to notable achievements including student consultants winning National Communication Association's Outstanding Tutor Awards Her dedication to enhancing students' communication skills is evident through her involvement in curriculum development and support of peer consultation programs Her expertise continues to shape how communication skills are taught and developed at RIT contributing to students' professional and academic success.

Jonathan S Weissman serves as Principal Lecturer in the Department of Cybersecurity at Rochester Institute of Technology bringing over two decades of expertise in cybersecurity and computing education His academic credentials include a master's degree in Computer Science from Brooklyn College complemented by an impressive portfolio of 47 industry certifications His teaching excellence has been recognized through multiple awards including the 2014 RIT Outstanding Teaching Award 2018 GCCIS Outstanding Educator Award and 2019 RIT Distinguished Teacher Recognition Program Honors Since beginning his teaching career in 2001 he has taught more than 50 graduate and undergraduate courses reaching over 300000 learners worldwide through the edX RITx Cybersecurity MicroMasters program His expertise spans networking cybersecurity systems administration ethical hacking digital forensics and malware reverse engineering He has authored several influential books including Principles of Computer Security: CompTIA Security+ and Beyond Lab Manual and multiple editions of CompTIA Network+ guides His industry impact extends beyond academia through his work as a cybersecurity consultant regular appearances as an expert on TV news and talk radio and his induction into the IPv6 Forum's New Internet IPv6 Hall of Fame in 2021 His commitment to cybersecurity education is further demonstrated through his development of comprehensive curriculum materials conference presentations and workshops making him a leading voice in cybersecurity education and practice

Yin Pan serves as Professor in the Computing Security department at Rochester Institute of Technology bringing extensive expertise in digital forensics and IT security since joining RIT in 2002 Her academic credentials include BS and MS degrees from Shanghai Normal University China followed by MS and PhD degrees in Computer Science and Systems Science from Binghamton University Her research focuses on digital forensics IT security audits and malware detection with significant contributions to automated forensic analysis and behavioral-based security approaches She has led innovative educational initiatives including the development of gamified digital forensics course modules for undergraduate students supported by NSF funding Her scholarly work includes numerous publications on cybersecurity forensics and malware detection with her research being widely cited in the field Her teaching and research have significantly influenced computer forensics education particularly through the development of game-based learning approaches Her expertise extends to network security systems administration and forensic analysis of virtual environments She has contributed to multiple books and conference proceedings focusing on digital forensics and cybersecurity education Her work continues to shape how digital forensics and cybersecurity are taught and practiced in academic and professional settings