"I plan to retire from my position as president of RIT next year on June 30, 2025," David Munson, the president of Rochester Institute of Technology, declared in an email addressed to the school this past April. "On that date, I will have completed eight fulfilling years at this unique and wonderful institution."
"I plan to retire from my position as president of RIT next year on June 30, 2025. On that date, I will have completed eight fulfilling years at this unique and wonderful institution." - David Munson
The length of Munson's time in office is significant, surpassing the average tenure of university presidents, which is roughly 5.9 years on average across the nation. However, the length of Munson's presidency is shorter than average compared to the previous presidents at RIT. The average RIT president's career lasted nearly 12 years. Mark W. Ellingson led the university for 33 years (1936-69).
Why is He Stepping Down?
In a statement released to Reporter, Munson cited the current strategic plan as part of the reason why 2025 was the right year to step down. "In doing so, we have been following a strategic plan that we crafted in 2017-2018," Munson wrote. "Nearly all objectives in that plan have been substantially completed, so work now is beginning on the creation of RIT's next strategic plan."
The Strategic Plan 2018-25, titled "Greatness Through Difference," resulted in construction of projects on campus such as the SHED and the Global Cybersecurity Institute. During the period, RIT also witnessed a record number of student enrollment, capped at 20,570 students for this academic year of 2024-2025. Munson explained, "this is a perfect time to recruit a new president to help shape RIT's future."
Munson also shared a more personal reason behind his choice to retire. "Nancy and I have four children and six grandchildren," he noted. "We have reached a stage in our lives where we wish to spend more time with these dear family members and to also have time to travel." Munson also added that he wanted to return to his past hobbies such as music and woodworking.
Who Will Take His Place?
A committee has been tasked with finding Munson's successor. Jeffery Harris, the chair of the Board of Trustees, will head the committee. Selecting the next university president, Harris emphasized, is "a very important job for the trustees."
The committee, according to Harris, consists of "[a] student representative, staff, faculty, administration and trustees." The committee will be assisted by a search firm. Harris noted that the process will be private because some candidates "who are happy at the university they're currently working at would like to be considered for this new opportunity but aren't quite ready to tell their current employer." The process will come to an end in December when a decision is made to hire the next president. The timing is crucial because it will allow the new president to transition from their previous job to their new position. Most importantly, the new president can take advantage of the spring semester to introduce themselves to the RIT community.
The academic year 2024-2025 marks a transitional year for RIT as Munson's era is nearing its conclusion. The expectations that come with the job of being a university president have changed significantly in recent years. Regardless of whether his leadership has merited praise or criticism, students due to graduate this May will always remember an RIT with Munson as its head. Whoever becomes the next president of RIT will become the face of the university as it plots its path forward.
