Expert advice: How to be RIT for Life

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Kelly Redder

Kelly Redder led the RIT Office of Alumni Relations for nearly 14 years, developing programs, activities, benefits and services for the university’s 114,000 alumni worldwide. The university recently appointed her assistant vice president, RIT for Life, and the director of the RIT Alumni House refocusing her responsibilities on the newest initiatives for the RIT community.

Creating a uniquely RIT experience from prospective student to valued alumnus is what RIT for Life is all about. It has long been a goal of the RIT Alumni Association to build a deeper relationship between RIT and our alumni around the world. With the launch of the 2015-2025 Strategic Plan, “Greatness Through Difference,” we have an opportunity to make alumni an even more important part of university life. Equally important, alumni have an opportunity to benefit by making RIT an integral part of their everyday lives. Here is how you can be RIT for Life:

Share your experiences

• Consider becoming a career mentor. Mentoring develops your own connections with students and extends your reach on campus. Several programs exist within each of the colleges and in the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education.
• Get connected to the RIT Professional Network, a database of volunteer advisers that provides job seekers an excellent networking resource.
• Look for co-op opportunities at companies to which you’re connected, and share those with the Alumni Relations office.
• Come back to campus and speak to students in your degree program.

Personally connect

• The Alumni Network, online networking system will connect you to thousands of alumni around the globe, as well as to all the benefits the Alumni Association offers, such as email communication on alumni events and activities in your area and on campus, easy registration for alumni activities, free Wi-Fi access to stay connected while you’re on campus, and access to free library services, databases and whitepapers.
• Join any of RIT’s virtual and social networking communities—there are active RIT Alumni Association Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts, and a number of other social media outlets for alumni. On Twitter, look for #RITforLife #RIT #RITRocks and #RITNews.
• Stop by the Alumni Oasis at the Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival.
• Return to campus for Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend and commencement. Stop by and have coffee with your favorite professor. When you come back to campus, make sure you let the Alumni Relations office know. We’ll provide you with easy access across campus while you visit.
• Share your successes and photos of your growing family in Class Notes in The University Magazine.

Commit to lifelong learning

Consider joining one of our hour-long meRIT webinars. Some of our recent lunchtime discussions have included “Into the Fire: Crisis Communications Starts with Preparedness,” “Valentine’s Day Wine & Food Pairings” and “The Harmonica and the Blues.”

Earn free swag

In the next two years, we anticipate launching a “Loyal Tiger” program. Twenty-five percent of the RIT community already participates in RIT for Life activities: They attend events, volunteer their time and make philanthropic gifts in support of the university. If you do one of these activities, RIT is grateful. If you do

two of these activities, RIT is thrilled. If you participate in all three, you become a Loyal Tiger. Benefits will include free swag, access to special events and discounted merchandise to show your Tiger spirit.