March 2, 2026
Photo courtesy of Derek Swanson
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with the (HNC), a group of passionate and committed Ģą˝´«Ă˝ alumni, trustees, and supporters who convene with me twice a year to provide counsel on key aspects of the school’s management. The event was part of a joint National Council meeting with the School of Arts and Sciences National Council and held in conjunction with our For Ever Better New York City campaign launch event, the Board of Trustees meetings, and Libraries National Council and Athletics National Council meetings.
In the photo above, I’m pictured with: (back row) Mike Pavia BS’87, PP’19; Julie Shapiro BS’83; Danny Sabbah BA’74, MS’78, PhD’82, PP’24; Tyler Kieft BS’09; John Pershing BA’10, BS’10; Tom Parker BS’96; Jennifer Allen BS’97, MBA ’10; Sharon Hoffman BS’79; (front row) Dick Schwartz BS’63, MS’66; Brad Orego BA’10, BS’10; Aidymar Bigio BS’93; Scott Pomerantz BA’81, MBA’83, PP’20; Cheryl Howard BS’83, PP’18. Not pictured but attending was Carol Karp BA’74, PP’11, Trustee.
The group offers insight and guidance on curricular initiatives, capital needs, trends in admissions and retention, career and internship services, critical issues facing engineering, and networking skills for students. The HNC’s advice is invaluable and helps ensure the Hajim School continues to thrive as one of the nation’s top engineering schools.
ADVICE FOR STUDENTS ON GETTING HIRED
Photo courtesy of iStock.com/inkastudio.
Speaking of the HNC, Steve Fantone ’79 (PhD), P’12, P’17, the HNC chair and CEO of the Optikos Corporation, recently penned a column for Photonics Spectra that provides terrific advice for students and alumni seeking employment. Steve draws from 50 years of experience in research, industry, academia, and policy roles.
As someone who has mentored candidates at every career stage, he encourages students to view the hiring process through the employer’s eyes and provides helpful tips on how to do so. While his career in optics informs his writing, the piece contains universal truths that can apply to students from all majors.
Whether you are on the job hunt or looking for advice to provide to mentees, I highly encourage you to .
TWO HAJIM STUDENTS RECEIVE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH INITIATIVE AWARDS
Congratulations to two biomedical engineering students who received the . This annual award recognizes excellence in the early phases of undergraduate research, demonstrated by the initiation and organization of a project leading towards a senior thesis, capstone project, or independent research project.
Second prize was awarded to Elisa Espinola Hernandez ’28 for her project titled “Age-Related Influences on Musculoskeletal Health: Biomechanical Evaluation of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in a Drug-Induced Menopause Mode.” Third prize went to Kaylie McGuckin ’28 for her project “Evaluating the Effects of Carbon Dioxide on the Expansion of Neuro-Capillary Diameter.”
The students were recognized during a virtual ceremony earlier this semester. Well done!
4+1 PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE
There will be an open house session from 1-3 p.m. today in the Hirst Lounge for students interested in Ģą˝´«Ă˝â€™s 4+1 programs to learn more. These accelerated degree pathways offer a gateway to get a master’s degree in just one year. The event will have representatives from programs in engineering, education, public health, and more. The advising and career-related offices will also have staff present.
VOICES OF XR SPEAKER SERIES
This month, Studio X will host two talks as part of its Voices of XR Speaker Series. Presented by the Center for eXtended Reality in partnership with Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X, University Libraries, the series runs through May and brings in scholars, artists, and professionals, who will discuss their work with immersive technologies across disciplines and industries. These events are hybrid, free, and open to all members of the campus community and the general public. This month’s speakers include:
- presents “Immersive Media, Mourning, and Memory” at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4.
- presents “Teaching Electricity and Magnetism in Augmented Reality: Lessons Learned” at 3:30 on Wednesday, March 18.
UROCHESTER ENTREPRENEURS BREAK DOWN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Join the Ģą˝´«Ă˝ Entrepreneurs Network for an innovative conversation on what’s next in entrepreneurship at noon on Wednesday, March 18 in the Sands-Constellation Auditorium at Gleason Hall. Discover how University alumni are using artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making to launch and build globally competitive businesses in today’s rapidly evolving economy.
There will be a reception immediately following the panel at the Eisenberg Rotunda in Schlegel Hall. The discussion, moderated by Elizabeth MacBride, national bestselling author of Capital Evolution: The New American Economy and a senior consultant with We-Fi and the World Bank, will examine how entrepreneurs are pairing early AI adoption with financial resilience to boost productivity, reduce costs, and improve outcomes.
Admission to the panel and reception is free of charge, but advance registration is required. The first 100 alumni and students to register will receive a copy of MacBride’s new book, Capital Evolution: The New American Economy. .
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT PRIZES AND AWARDS
Nominations are now being accepted for the annual undergraduate student , which are coordinated by the Center for Advising Services. Outstanding students in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are recognized in a variety of ways each year, many of them receiving special prizes. Most of the prizes have specific academic criteria, while others are awarded to students who have served the University community in special ways. Some decisions are made within specific departments, while other interdepartmental prize winners are selected by a committee after nominations are received. Most prizes are endowed, and students receive cash awards, often at commencement.
If you are interested in nominating a student, . If you do not already have access to the form, please email your access request and Active Directory ID to prizes@ur.rochester.edu. If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to prizes administrator Vicki Mullen.
Please submit your nominations by Friday, March 20.
FACULTY WORKSHOPS TO SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING
Based on faculty feedback, the Office of Online Learning and University IT are pleased to offer a series of workshops this spring to support faculty’s use of technology in teaching. The first offering will be held on March 2 and 3 and cover the use of the Blackboard Ultra AI Design Assistant – a tool that can help save time during course development. Additional workshops about Panopto (video storage and playback), Harmonize (a sophisticated discussion board tool) and Blackboard Ultra courses in general will also be offered in the coming months. .
Have a great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
