Rendering/CetraRuddy

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

Construction has begun on a new Student Life building designed to strengthen and support University of Rochester Student Life programming and establish a new home for the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life. The two-story, 15,000-square-foot building on Intercampus Drive, next to Library Lot, will add new gathering, rehearsal, and programmatic space on the River Campus for all students. The second level will be the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life, a new home for Hillel at the University. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2027.

Learn more about this exciting new addition to the campus at the News Center.

UROCHESTER WOMEN’S NETWORK 5TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The University of Rochester’s volunteer-led Women’s Network is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a virtual program at noon on Tuesday, August 18. All alumni and friends of the University are welcome.

The event will feature a virtual discussion with Bonnie M. Meguid, PhD, associate professor of political science, moderated by Women’s Network leaders Karla George ’21S (MBA), Judy Reinsdorf ’86, University Trustee, and Hajim School alumna Abby Zabrodsky ’14, ’19S (MBA). Register online.

STAFF INNOVATION AWARD SPOTLIGHT: JENNIFER CONDIT

Gary Kong / University of Rochester photo

Each week, Hajim Highlights will celebrate two of the inaugural winners of the Hajim School Staff Innovation Award, given to staff members who consistently demonstrate exceptional dedication to URochester’s strategic plan and Meliora values through innovative practices, creative problem solving, outstanding service, and collaboration.

Today we highlight Jen Condit, undergraduate program coordinator for the Department of Chemical and Sustainability Engineering.

Jen is known as the go-to person for undergraduate chemical engineering students, helping them navigate the boundless opportunities offered through the Rochester curriculum and providing personalized support. She consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty, using innovation and creativity to administer the Eisenberg Scholars and Burger Sustainability Scholars Programs and coordinate numerous events including the annual departmental reception at the AIChE National Meeting, the Industrial Advisory Board meeting, and the regional AIChE conference co-hosted by the department and RIT.

Here is a small sample of the praise Jen’s colleagues shared while nominating her:

“For first-year students especially, having someone like Jen as an initial point of contact makes a tremendous difference,” says Professor David Foster. “She gives them not only accurate guidance, but also a sense that they are known, supported, and part of a department that cares about their success.”

Department chair Darren Lipomi says, “I can say without reservation that she is the among the most resourceful, forward-thinking, and genuinely student-centered staff members I have encountered in my career.”

STAFF INNOVATION AWARD SPOTLIGHT: MARY RIZZO

Gary Kong / University of Rochester photo

We also celebrate Mary Rizzo, the graduate program coordinator for the Department of Computer Science.

Mary was recognized for her outstanding efforts to improve efficiency, reduce redundancies, and create more reliable systems for both graduate students and faculty. One example included a thoughtful redesign of the graduate handbook, transforming it into a more accessible, user-friendly, and comprehensive resource. By clarifying policies and improving organization, Mary has enhanced transparency, reduced confusion, and contributed to a more supportive academic environment. She streamlined key administrative processes, including the exam form workflow and the department’s PhD teaching assistant assignment procedure. Mary has also shown a strong commitment to responsible resource management by identifying ways to reduce costs associated with PhD defense celebrations without compromising quality or the student experience.

Here is what Department Chair Chen Ding and Department Administrator Shelley Zoeke had to say about Mary in their nomination:

“A defining strength of Mary’s work is her holistic, student-centered perspective. She consistently takes a ‘whole student’ approach, considering not just administrative requirements but also the broader student experience. Her work supports student success, well-being, and engagement at every stage of the graduate journey.”

NEWLY FUNDED RESEARCH

Congratulations to the following faculty who secured funding for new sponsored research projects:

• Professor Chaung Ren from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and co-PI Professor Michael Huang from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering received $485,000 from the National Science Foundation for a project titled “Bridging Kinetic and Fluid Scales: A GLE-FDT Framework for Coarse Graining Electron Kinetic Physics.”
• Xi-Cheng Zhang, the M. Parker Givens Professor of Optics, received $249,997 from the National Science Foundation for a project titled “Exploring Extreme THz Photonics with Quantum Fluids.”

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman