RIT appoints its first chief marketing officer

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John K. Trierweiler

Rochester Institute of Technology has chosen John K. Trierweiler to be its chief marketing officer, a new position for the university.

Trierweiler, who has more than 30 years of experience in marketing and advertising – including for some widely recognized companies and products – will be responsible for creating and implementing a coordinated marketing and branding strategy for the university. He will also oversee several communications and marketing departments, including University News Services, RIT’s public relations office, as well as Production Services, which provides video production, event support, website development and photography services to RIT, and University Publications, which creates and designs the university’s marketing and branding materials. Trierweiler began his new position July 6.

“John was chosen after a nationwide search and we are really pleased to have someone of his caliber and experience join our leadership team,” said RIT President Bill Destler. “Our new chief marketing officer will be instrumental in helping RIT continue to raise its profile as a great world university whose academic portfolio, research agenda, and educational model align with the shifting needs of a complex planet.”

The addition of a chief marketing officer is part of RIT’s 2025 Strategic Plan “Greatness Through Difference” and comes just as RIT moves into a new category in the leading national classification of U.S. colleges and universities. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education this year changed RIT from “Masters – Comprehensive” to “Doctoral University – Limited Research Activity,” a change that occurs when a university graduates more than 20 Ph.D. degrees per year, a figure that RIT has exceeded in recent years.

“The RIT brand has a great story to tell, a university that is producing highly qualified, well-prepared graduates and conducting groundbreaking research that is making a difference in the world,” Trierweiler said. “I am looking forward to helping the university further advance that brand on a national and international stage so that we can continue to grow and attract and retain the best and brightest students, faculty and staff.”

Prior to joining RIT, Trierweiler served as chief marketing officer for the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Under his tenure, the school was able to increase its worldwide rankings, and development fundraising efforts and applications both increased. Before working in higher education, Trierweiler held a variety of executive marketing positions at companies including Cablevision Systems, Time Warner Cable, Bumble Bee Seafoods Co. and H.J. Heinz.

He is a graduate of Michigan State University and holds an MBA from the University of Michigan.