Women’s History Month: Celebrating Nancy Munson | March 2025
March is Women’s History Month and the theme this year is “Moving Forward Together: Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” This is a time to celebrate the extraordinary achievements and contributions women make in our world.
The Division of Diversity and Inclusion couldn’t overlook the impact one such woman has made at RIT. Nancy Munson, with a background in nursing, is a big believer in volunteerism. She is a mentor to many, an avid runner and number one cheerleader for RIT students. She is also a mother, grandmother, pet parent and the spouse of RIT President David Munson. Both will leave RIT when he retires in June.
We asked her about her passions, who inspires her, what life will look like after RIT and to share some of her own professional journey.
Nancy Munson: Oh my gosh well my journey in nursing started, believe it or not, when I was a little girl having a Little Golden Book called Nancy Nurse! It EVEN came with Band-Aids! In high school I was a candy striper. I loved passing ice water, feeding patients and transporting them in wheelchairs. I even brushed dentures! In the summers during college, I worked in nursing homes as an aide. I earned a BS in Nursing from the University of Delaware in 1975. I thought Medical-Surgical nursing would be my thing, but it wasn’t. I was not ready for a unit with 41 IV’s running and tons of medications to give. Eventually I found my fit though, working in an outpatient clinic in Internal Medicine in Trenton, N.J. Later I gave up my license due to moves and raising four sons, but I took an EMT Basic course and was a Tech in the Emergency Department at a hospital in Illinois for three years.
What advice would you give to others who are just beginning their professional careers?
I would say that you need to be patient when you start out. If it is something like healthcare, there are so many avenues you can take. Fresh out of school, it can take time to settle in. Find a mentor or two who have been in your shoes earlier in their careers. They can be immensely helpful in easing your fears while you gain confidence. Ask questions and learn as much as you can. And know what works best with your personality and belief system. I love working in a clinic setting because it involves teamwork, and the relationships built with co-workers and our patients in that setting are invaluable.
Looking back, any advice you would give your 20-year-old self?
Oh wow! Twenty years old takes me back to college. Nursing curriculum was REALLY challenging for me. That first year at age 18, I gained those “Freshman Fifteen” often talked about, and did not have the grades I was used to getting. I sought perfection and that led to an eating disorder and doing nothing but studying. That was not a good combination. I would give that “me” grace and INSIST that she get some counseling to deal with anxiety. I’d encourage her to be involved in activities on campus outside of studying. So many of RIT’s students have lots of interests and activities outside the classroom. I would tell myself back in the day that PERFECTION is not exactly a healthy or attainable goal.
You are a firm believer in volunteerism and worked with St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center for many years, even receiving the 2024 Rochester Business Journal’s Health Care Hero Award. Congrats! Why is volunteerism important to you personally?
I took our kids to a nearby nursing home in their early years because they brought so much joy to the people there. Whether I was volunteering on units in a hospital or at a homeless shelter’s service center and medical clinic or being a high school youth leader at out church, traveling to different destinations to do service work; I truly received far more than I gave! I’ll always treasure the relationships made in all these adventures. I most love working with our underserved population and Saint Joseph’s Neighborhood Center has been the absolute perfect place to use my nursing skills. Volunteering is gratifying and humbling.
This is Women’s History Month. Why is it important that we celebrate and are there women who come to mind that you admire?
I was born in the 1950’s and in MY upbringing,” ladies were to act like ladies” so to speak. Now that I am 71, I don’t even know what that means! There have been so many twists and turns in women’s vital roles throughout history. It astounds me how Harriet Tubman so bravely brought 1,000 slaves out of slavery, how women were historically on battlefields in dangerous conflicts doctoring soldiers, and yet years later it took so much effort for women to be allowed to vote! Women have, and ARE, making this world a better place in countless ways. COUNTLESS. And why then, once again, are we fighting to make decisions about our own bodies? Women should NEVER be underestimated.
I would like to share our daughter-in-law Megan with you. When she and our son Mark had their second child, they were thrilled to have a little brother for their two-year-old daughter. Eli was a fussy baby and was slow to take a bottle. Over time he was not meeting developmental milestones. Eventually he was labeled “delayed” and through genetic testing he was found to have a deletion in his DNA. He also has severe autism. There is so much to love about this sweet boy who is basically like a toddler at the age of eleven. The entire family is involved with meeting his needs. But as his mom, who also works as an athletic trainer from home, Megan coordinates his many appointments, drives him a half hour to and from his special school Monday-Friday, monitors his many medications, makes his preferred foods and carries him piggyback when he can’t take another step. She handles more messes than you can imagine along with erratic behaviors and anger and repetitive stimming and just the heartbreak of wondering what life might have been for him if things were different. She is incredibly strong and not afraid to be candid and realistic about the hard stuff, but she also gives him endless love and is involved in every possible opportunity to make his quality of life better. I admire her resilience and love her so very, very much. I’m fortunate to call her my dear friend.
You are an avid runner and have even done marathons! Please share some of your experiences.
It’s really been fun to be a part of the running and racing community. I was not an “athletic” kid and didn’t even know I could run, no less RACE! I’ve met wonderful friends along this journey and have enjoyed so much being in running groups. It has been amazing to run 10 marathons and 80 some races over the last 20 years. I would surprise myself by placing in my age group a lot of times and probably my happiest races were in 2019 when I placed 9th at the Boston Marathon and 4th in the NYC marathon in the women’s 65-69 age group. And kudos to race volunteers and spectators along the courses. They are truly heroes!
How did you get started? Any advice for someone considering taking it up?
One day I ran around a track for a mile to see how that would go. I thought I’d DIE! I kept at it. When our kids were little, I often ran at 6 a.m. Our son Jamie’s Cross Country middle school team invited parents to run at practices. Then came 5k races, 10k races. I joined a running group and trained for a half marathon and marathon. My advice? Find a good place to fit you with a good pair of shoes. Start slowly, walk-run if you have never run before. Find a running group. Many stores have groups that go out and run at different paces, beginners to veterans and all in between!
What is it about distance running that you enjoy and are there lessons to be learned about oneself?
Mostly I think it was a wonderful challenge for me. Distance running…preparing for a marathon…requires long training miles. Your training cycle for a spring marathon means training in the cold and a fall marathon means training in the heat. It’s hard work. You learn a lot about yourself along the way. But crossing that FINISH LINE? It’s your reward and a feeling like none other.
We know change is a part of life. As you and President Munson prepare for the next step in your life-journey, what are some of the things you look forward to and what will you miss about RIT?
RIT is a vibrant and wonderful place. We’ll miss the students and all who make RIT, well, RIT. I’ll miss cheering with the Corner Crew and attending so many student programs and events. We really do love Rochester and if our family lived here, we’d certainly stay! Our sons and families live in Michigan, Minnesota and Florida with six grandchildren who are growing fast. Spending time with family is a must. We are building a replica of an old Greek Revival Farmhouse in Dexter, Michigan and are excited to just BE after what will be 50 years of academia in our lives together. We both have lots of interests, so we won’t be bored and we will be close to help with our grandson.
Fun Facts
What was your very first job?
Nurse’s aide in a nursing home.
I know you are a proud dog owner. Please tell us about your dog and any other pets you have.
Aww Joe! Joe is a Havanese. Our first dog ever. He is four years old, and we got him when he was nine weeks old. He was wonderful bright spot during COVID. He’s a character and has quite a personality. We also have a beautiful calico cat, Cali. She and I found each other at the Humane Society in Ann Arbor. Everyone loves her and she loves everyone.
If visitors were to travel to your hometown, what sights should they check out?
The little town of Dexter is quaint and fun. Main Street has neat stores, a coffee shop, a few restaurants and a VERY busy Dairy Queen and fabulous bakery. A wonderful Border-to-Border trail links all the Metroparks in the area with 35 miles of paths for walkers, runners and bikers. It winds through woods, fields, and along the Huron River with boardwalks, bridges, and pavement. It is fabulous. And Ann Arbor is a busy diverse college town with lots of culture and restaurants and non-stop activities. Something is ALWAYS going on!
Favorite spot on the RIT campus?
I have to say the SHED. I might be biased…but I just love that space.
Early bird or night owl?
Kinda both, depending.
What would your friends or colleagues be surprised to learn about you?
Some people already know this, but I have loved being a phlebotomist as a part of my work! It is so satisfying to be able to draw someone’s blood successfully and making it as easy for a patient as possible.