Higher education continues to navigate significant change. Uncertainty around federal research funding, shifting demographic and enrollment trends, and broader economic pressures are reshaping the landscape for colleges and universities.

At the University of Rochester, we are responding with a clear focus on our long-term future. Guided by our Boundless Possibility strategic plan, we are making thoughtful investments in our academic enterprise, aligning resources with our highest priorities, and strengthening our ability to support education, research, patient care, and community engagement.

As we begin the academic year, I want to share updates on several recent initiatives and areas of work across the academic enterprise that reflect these priorities and are helping position the University for the future.

Recent Initiatives

Enrollment Strategy and Student Success: We have launched Enrollment Strategy and Operations (ESO) as the University’s central hub for enrollment planning, recruitment, technology, analytics, and marketing. Under the leadership of Rob Alexander, ESO is strengthening coordination across undergraduate and master’s enrollment efforts while preserving school-level leadership in program development and recruitment. This fall, we welcomed more than 1,400 new undergraduate students.

International Community: We continue to support international students, faculty, scholars, and staff as federal immigration policies evolve. The International Services Office has expanded guidance, resources, and advising, while the University works closely with schools and departments to address compliance requirements and maintain a welcoming environment for our international community.

Graduate Education: The PhD Task Force has been examining the future of doctoral education and the long-term competitiveness of Rochester’s graduate programs. Its recommendations will help inform future planning as the University responds to changes affecting research funding, graduate education, and international students.

Research and AI: We continue to invest in interdisciplinary research and emerging opportunities. This fall, Mujdat Cetin was appointed the University’s inaugural associate vice president and vice provost for artificial intelligence, helping advance Rochester’s AI strategy and strengthen connections across research, education, and industry partnerships.

Academic and Administrative Realignment: We have implemented several organizational changes to improve services, coordination, and efficiency, including the dining transition to University Hospitality Services, enhancements to the Ombuds network, the integration of Education Abroad into Global Engagement, and restructuring within Faculty Affairs to better support faculty development. Results from the Employee Experience Survey are also informing actions at both the school and University levels. This work includes evaluating our organizational models to expand career pathways for staff, simplify administrative processes, preserve school-level expertise where it matters most, and position the University to respond effectively to our evolving federal regulatory environment.

Spending Controls: We continue to carefully manage discretionary expenditures and strengthen procurement and contract review processes to ensure that resources are aligned with our highest priorities.

Strategic and Sustainable Growth

Faculty Hiring: Faculty recruitment remains focused on strategic priorities that strengthen our academic and research missions. We are pleased to welcome our newest faculty members, and there are currently 16 tenure-eligible searches underway across the academic center.

Capital Investments: We continue to invest in infrastructure, facilities, and research priorities that support the University’s long-term success. Recent progress includes the launch of the NSF STELLAR Engine, continued planning for the Transformational Science and Engineering Building, renovations to academic facilities, and construction of the new Student Life Center.

Philanthropy: Through the For Ever Better campaign, philanthropic support continues to create new opportunities for students, faculty, research, and academic programs. Recent gifts, including the Beal family’s transformative investment in the Eastman School of Music, demonstrate the confidence our alumni and supporters have in Rochester’s future.

I invite you to visit the Provost’s News Hub for updates on academic initiatives, faculty achievements, research, and University news.

Thank you for your continued dedication to the University of Rochester and to the students, patients, colleagues, and communities we serve. The accomplishments reflected here are the result of the collective efforts of faculty and staff across our institution, and I am grateful for your partnership as we continue to build Rochester’s future together.

Sincerely,

Nicole S. Sampson
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
University Professor of Chemistry

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糖心传媒 International Students,

We are writing to share an important update regarding Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for students in F-1 status.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) recently issued new guidance regarding CPT eligibility. The guidance reflects a change in the federal government’s interpretation of the regulations governing CPT and establishes a more restrictive standard for when universities may authorize curricular practical training.

Under this new interpretation, CPT may only be authorized when practical training is required for all students enrolled in a program to earn the degree. As a result, internships, practica, clinical experiences, or other forms of practical training that are optional, including those associated with elective internship courses, no longer qualify for CPT authorization.

The University’s Office for Global Engagement is carefully reviewing this guidance and working with Universityleadership and academic programs to assess its implications for our students and degree programs. We recognize that this development comes at a particularly challenging time as the fall semester begins, and many students have already made plans related to internships and other practical training opportunities.

While this review is underway, the International Services Office (ISO) is pausing approval of new CPT applications, except for CPT requests associated with practical training that is required for completion of a degree program. Students whose practical training is a required component of their curriculum may continue to submit CPT requests and work with ISO and their academic program regarding documentation requirements.

If you have CPT planned for the Fall 2026 semester:

• If your CPT has already been approved, you may continue to proceed under the terms of that authorization unless ISO contacts you with different guidance.
• If you have a fall internship or practical training experience planned but have not yet received CPT authorization, please be aware that ISO will not be able to authorize your CPT while the pause is in place unless your CPT is confirmed to be a degree requirement. If your practical training experience is required to complete your degree program, please continue working with ISO and your academic department. Additional documentation may be needed to verify that practical training is a required component of the established curriculum.
• If you are unsure whether this guidance affects your situation, please contact ISO before beginning or making changes to any off-campus employment or training.

We understand that students may have questions about how this change by the federal government affects academic requirements, commitments to employers, and plans already made for the upcoming academic year. ISO will continue to evaluate the guidance and will communicate additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Please remember that CPT authorization is specific to the employer, position, location, and period for which it is granted. Students should not begin off-campus employment or practical training requiring CPT authorization until they have received approval from ISO.

We appreciate your patience as we work through this significant change in federal guidance. Our priority is to provide accurate information, help students maintain their immigration status, and identify available options as we learn more about the implementation of these new requirements.

Sincerely,

Reitumetse Mabokela
Vice Provost for Global Engagement

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The search committee will be chaired by Rick Libby, vice provost and university dean of graduate education and professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the School of Medicine & Dentistry. Committee members include faculty and academic leaders from across the University, along with representation from the Board of Trustees.

To support the search, the University has retained Russell Reynolds Associates, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm with extensive experience conducting searches for presidents, provosts, deans, and other senior academic leaders at colleges, universities, and research institutions.

糖心传媒淚 am grateful to Rick and the members of the committee for their willingness to undertake this important work,糖心传媒� Sampson said. 糖心传媒淪imon Business School has a distinguished history, an outstanding faculty, and talented students and alumni. This search provides an opportunity to identify a leader who can build upon those strengths, advance Simon糖心传媒檚 academic and research excellence, and position the School for continued success in an increasingly dynamic environment for business education.糖心传媒�

Search Committee

The Simon Business School Dean Search Committee includes:

• Rick Libby (Chair), Vice Provost and University Dean of Graduate Education; Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine & Dentistry
• Roberto Colangelo, Executive Professor; Faculty Advisor for the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Robert Sperandio Professor in Entrepreneurship, Simon Business School
• Ivone Foisy, Assistant Dean for Enrollment, Simon Business School
• Juan Jones 糖心传媒�88S (MBA), 糖心传媒 Trustee, Executive Vice President of Global Support Renewal Sales, Oracle
• Narayana Kocherlakota, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Research; Professor of Finance; Louise and Henry Epstein Professor of Business Administration, Simon Business School
• Reitumetse Mabokela, Vice Provost for Global Engagement; Professor of Educational Leadership, Warner School of Education and Human Development
• Vera Tilson, Associate Professor, Simon Business School
• Joanna Wu, Susanna and Evans Y. Lam Professor, Simon Business School
• Kate Schimmer, Associate Dean for Artistic Planning, Eastman School of Music

The search committee will work in partnership with Russell Reynolds Associates to develop the position profile, recruit and cultivate a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates, and engage members of both the University and Simon communities throughout the search process.

Additional information, including opportunities for members of the University community to provide input and details regarding the position and nomination process, will be shared as the search moves forward.

The post University Launches National Search for Next Dean of Simon Business School appeared first on Office of the Provost.

Cetin, a professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, currently serves as the Robin and Tim Wentworth Director of the Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. He will begin his new role on September 1.

As the University糖心传媒檚 academic and strategic leader for AI, Cetin will report jointly to the provost and the vice president for research. He will lead the development and implementation of a University-wide AI strategy aligned with Boundless Possibility, Rochester糖心传媒檚 2030 strategic plan, and will help position the University as a national leader in AI-related and AI-enabled research, education, and innovation.

The new appointment will be structured as a 50:50 role, with Cetin devoting half of his effort to his responsibilities as associate vice president and vice provost for AI, and half to his continued leadership as director of the Goergen Institute.

糖心传媒淎rtificial intelligence is rapidly changing how we teach, learn, conduct research, and engage with the world,糖心传媒� said Nicole S. Sampson, provost and URochester糖心传媒檚 chief academic officer.聽 糖心传媒淢ujdat brings the combination of scholarly expertise, collaborative leadership, and institutional perspective we need to bring together the extraordinary AI work already happening across the University and establish an ambitious vision for where we go next.糖心传媒�

In his new role, Cetin will work across the University糖心传媒檚 schools and divisions to strengthen AI-related research and education, expand interdisciplinary collaboration, identify major funding and partnership opportunities, and help faculty, students, and staff build the knowledge and skills needed to use AI effectively and responsibly. He will also guide efforts to expand AI curricula, degree programs, certificates, and experiential learning opportunities and strengthen connections with regional employers and initiatives such as Empire AI.

Cetin will also play an important role in coordinating AI-enabled research and discovery across the University, including collaborations involving the Goergen Institute, the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, 糖心传媒 Medicine, the University糖心传媒檚 Transdisciplinary Centers, and other research units. His other priorities will include working with University research leadership to identify emerging funding opportunities and bring together interdisciplinary faculty teams to pursue major collaborative initiatives.

糖心传媒淩ochester has tremendous expertise in artificial intelligence, data science, computing, medicine, engineering, the sciences, humanities, and many other areas that will shape how AI develops and how it affects society,糖心传媒� said Cetin. 糖心传媒淚 am excited by the opportunity to connect those strengths across the University and build on the outstanding work already underway. Our goal will be to create an environment in which AI accelerates discovery, enhances education, creates new opportunities for collaboration and innovation, and is developed and used thoughtfully and responsibly. I look forward to working with colleagues across Rochester to define what leadership in AI can look like for our University.糖心传媒�

Cetin will also provide leadership for University-wide AI governance. The University糖心传媒檚 AI Council will report to him, with his leadership responsibilities including overseeing the development of University-wide policies, guidelines, and guardrails designed to balance responsible use with the flexibility necessary for innovation, while ensuring that Rochester糖心传媒檚 approach evolves alongside the changing regulatory, legal, and ethical landscape.

糖心传媒淎I is already transforming the way research is conducted, opening new possibilities for discovery across virtually every field,糖心传媒� said Stephen Dewhurst, vice president for research at URochester. 糖心传媒淢ujdat understands the extraordinary potential of these technologies and the importance of bringing researchers together across disciplines to realize that potential. He also has a strong grasp of the importance of making sure that AI works for everyone, and of the key role that academic institutions must play in ensuring that AI tools are developed and used in a responsible and ethical manner. His leadership will help us build the partnerships, infrastructure, and collaborative research environment needed to translate Rochester糖心传媒檚 expertise into meaningful scientific, societal, and economic impact.糖心传媒�

As leader of the Goergen Institute, Cetin brings extensive experience in interdisciplinary research and academic leadership. His research spans data, signal, and imaging sciences, with particular emphasis on probabilistic and machine-learning methods for extracting information from complex data. His work includes computational sensing and imaging, biomedical image analysis, computer vision, and signal processing and machine learning for brain-computer and brain-machine interfaces.

Before joining Rochester, Cetin was a faculty member at Sabanci University in Istanbul and a research scientist at MIT and held visiting faculty appointments at MIT, Northeastern University, and Boston University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Bogazici University, a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Salford, and a PhD in electrical engineering from Boston University.

The creation of the associate vice president and vice provost for artificial intelligence position reflects the University糖心传媒檚 broader commitment to ensuring that advances in AI strengthen Rochester糖心传媒檚 research enterprise, enrich teaching and learning, prepare students and the workforce for a rapidly changing environment, and contribute to economic and societal impact locally, nationally, and globally.

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With nearly two decades of experience working in higher education, Williams brings a wealth of expertise and understanding of the academic landscape to this role.聽 Since stepping in as interim director in April of 2025, he has been instrumental in the continued success of the Kearns Center and has demonstrated exceptional leadership and stability, guiding the Center with a steadfast commitment to excellence. His dedication to the Center糖心传媒檚 mission and the students it serves makes him the ideal person to lead the Kearns Center into the future.

Before being named interim director, Williams worked in the Kearns Center as director for graduate diversity, leading initiatives that support the recruitment, retention, and success of historically underrepresented students, particularly in STEM disciplines. Prior to working at the University of Rochester, Williams worked for four years as the assistant director of the Higher Education Opportunity (HEOP) program at Rochester Institute of Technology.

糖心传媒淚糖心传媒檓 excited to continue the great work at the Kearns Center with this amazing team,糖心传媒� William said. 糖心传媒淥ver the past year I have gotten to work more closely with them, and learn how they work best, and they have knocked it out of the park. I糖心传媒檓 so grateful and look forward to building on the Kearns Center糖心传媒檚 legacy and supporting all students that enter the University of Rochester.糖心传媒�

As a first-generation college graduate, he holds a BA in Sociology from Alfred University, an MS in Sports Management from American Public University, and an EdD in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. His doctoral research focused on the retention and persistence of Black male students at predominantly white institutions.

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Gresens, a faculty member in the Department of Religion and Classics since 2009, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this position. His work specializes in classical languages and literature, with a focus on ancient Greek and Roman texts. He has been recognized for his innovative teaching methods and commitment to student success. He served on the College Academic Honesty Policy Committee that rewrote the academic honesty policy and has served as a board member and deputy chair of the Board on Academic Honesty.

In his new role, Gresens will provide strategic leadership in advancing a proactive and educational approach to academic integrity across the University. His work will focus on delivering education, training, and outreach programs designed to promote a shared understanding of academic honesty among students, faculty, and staff. By working closely with faculty, graduate instructors, students, and academic units, he will help strengthen curriculum and instruction to embed principles of integrity into the fabric of the University糖心传媒檚 academic culture.

Gresens will also collaborate with the Board on Academic Honesty and other administrative leaders to ensure consistent, equitable, and evolving practices related to academic integrity. This includes addressing emerging challenges, such as the ethical use of artificial intelligence in teaching and research and leveraging data-informed approaches to guide policy development and institutional practices.

Please join us in congratulating Nicholas Gresens on his appointment and in welcoming him to this new role.

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Myers joined the University in 2006 after a distinguished career in the corporate sector, including leadership roles at Eastman Kodak. At Rochester, she was named the University糖心传媒檚 first chief information security officer and was charged with helping strengthen the institution糖心传媒檚 growing digital infrastructure at a time when information technology was becoming increasingly central to teaching, research, healthcare, and administration.

Over the course of her tenure, Myers has helped guide the University through a period of significant technological transformation. She has played a key role in developing a more coordinated enterprise approach to technology, building stronger governance and strategy for major systems, and helping integrate IT operations across the University and the Medical Center.

Reflecting on her time at Rochester, Myers said she is most proud of the way technology has helped connect people and work across the institution.

糖心传媒淚 have loved being part of the University of Rochester community, and it has truly been an honor to serve here,糖心传媒� Myers said. 糖心传媒淚f there is one accomplishment that makes me proud, it糖心传媒檚 helping make the University feel smaller by bringing people, systems, and applications together in ways that are more cohesive and intentional.糖心传媒�

Myers noted that when she first arrived, many systems operated independently of one another. Today, she says, technology across the University is significantly more connected and aligned with institutional priorities.

糖心传媒淭he role of IT is ultimately about enabling people,糖心传媒� she said. 糖心传媒淎t a university with roughly 40,000 faculty, staff and students across academic, research, and healthcare environments, our job is to make sure the technology works in ways that help people be as productive and effective as possible.糖心传媒�

Under her leadership, the University strengthened enterprise information technology governance and built a more strategic framework for managing major technology platforms. Myers also helped to champion collaborations across the River Campus and the University of Rochester Medical Center, helping to ensure that systems and infrastructure could support the University糖心传媒檚 integrated academic, research, and clinical missions.

Looking ahead, Myers believes the institution is well positioned to build on this foundation, particularly in areas such as data analytics and the rapidly expanding role of artificial intelligence in higher education and healthcare.

Provost Nicole Sampson thanked Myers for her long service and recognized her impact on the institution. 糖心传媒淛ulie has been an exceptional leader and partner to the University community,糖心传媒� Sampson said. 糖心传媒淭hrough her efforts, the University now benefits from a far more harmonized and strategically aligned IT ecosystem. Her work has strengthened our ability to support research, education, and clinical care in an increasingly digital world.糖心传媒�

Myers is currently working through a transition plan with University leadership to ensure that critical initiatives and priority projects continue moving forward smoothly over the coming months.

In retirement, Myers looks forward to spending more time with her growing family, including her nine grandchildren, with a tenth on the way, traveling with her husband, and continuing to find ways to support the University糖心传媒檚 mission.

A national search will be initiated to identify Myers糖心传媒檚 successor. More information about the search will be available in the coming weeks.

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As you are aware, there are several changes to federal funding for higher education and science. These pressures include anticipated changes to the Federal Supplemental Research and Development (F&A) rate on federal grants and reduced funding from the federal agencies. Additionally, the University anticipates lower undergraduate and Master糖心传媒檚 enrollments this year due to national admissions trends and challenges faced by some students in obtaining visas.

To ensure our continued support for our current PhD students and to maintain a high-quality academic experience, we will implement a few changes:

1. Starting September 1, 2025, all grant applications will be required to budget $16,000 for tuition (or the maximum allowed up to $16,000, unless a school policy requires a greater amount). This amount will increase annually in line with University tuition rates, but for budgeting purposes, assume a 2% increase each year. Grant awards active prior to September 1, 2025, as well as grant proposals submitted prior to September 1, 2025, should they be awarded, will remain exempt from tuition charges for their full duration. Your grants office can assist you in implementing this change to proposals submitted after September 1st, 2025 (ORPA Policy /orpa/_assets/pdf/prop_Tuition_Alloc.pdf).
2. Beginning July 1, 2026, internal university accounts will be charged the same level of tuition as external awards (including but not limited to departmental funds, endowed funds, pilot funds, and startup funds). This requirement applies only to students supported on internal university accounts. It does not affect students supported on grant awards active prior to September 1, 2025 or on grants submitted prior to September 1, 2025, should they be awarded. In addition, startup funds that already include committed graduate student support lines will receive additional funds from the appropriate School Dean to fully cover the tuition fees for those student lines that were directly committed. Specific information will be provided by the signatories (usually the School Dean) of individual commitment letters.
3. For reference, this follows the same practice as many of our peer institutions, particularly those with membership in the AAU.

In addition, there will be a significant evaluation of PhD recruitment for the 2026-2027 academic year. Over the coming months, school deans will collaborate with departments to develop specific plans for each program, particularly focused on program outcomes and supporting our current students.

The University is fully committed to PhD education and does not make these decisions lightly. These tuition charges will not result in increased charges for our graduate students. Given the current financial situation and the ongoing threat to international student recruitment, higher education, and science funding, these measures were taken to ensure financial support and continued excellence in PhD education.

Thank you for your prompt attention and continued commitment to our PhD students. If you have questions regarding these changes, please reach out to your graduate dean.

Sincerely,

Nicole S. Sampson
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
University Professor of Chemistry

Stephen Dewhurst
Vice President for Research
Vice Dean for Research, School of Medicine & Dentistry

Rick Libby
Interim Vice Provost
Interim University Dean of Graduate Education

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