Overview
The Rensselaer Industrial Affiliate Alliance (RIAA) is an institute-wide enterprise that engages a broad spectrum of the Rensselaer portfolio to strengthen the university’s relationship with corporations across an array of sectors.
Under the umbrella of RIAA, the institute has partnered with corporations to establish Industrial Affiliate Programs (IAPs) within the Office of Research, School of Engineering, Lally School of Management,
School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, School of Science, and the Office of Student Life.
Rensselaer’s IAPs facilitate mutually beneficial relationships with academia and industry, solidifying bonds between the institute and local, national, and international corporations. Each Industrial Affiliate Program (IAP) is designed to effectively align corporate priorities with the institute’s strategic initiatives.
Faculty, researchers, and students receive insight into the goals, challenges, and opportunities facing respective industries. In turn, participating affiliate partners receive access to relevant interdisciplinary programs and department projects through structured interaction with researchers, faculty, and students.
Beyond the labs and classrooms, affiliate partners are also invited to participate in a broad range of ongoing academic and social campus activities, from annual meetings and symposia to student and alumni events and programming.
Office of Corporate Relations
The Office of Corporate Relations serves as a central point of contact for both corporate and campus partners. Corporate Relations offers a valuable service to companies through its in-depth knowledge of current issues and how the university’s research and resources are advancing the respective fields of industry.
Concurrently, Corporate Relations works with faculty, students, and staff to ensure they are thoroughly knowledgeable about participating industry priorities and furnished with relevant contacts.
Because campus partners are so critical to the success of every Industrial Affiliate Program within the the Rensselaer Industrial Affiliate Alliance, the Office of Corporate Relations works closely together with:
- Office of the President
- Office for Research
- Office of Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer and New Ventures
- Office of the Provost
- Office for Student Affairs
- School Deans
- Department Chairs
- Administration and Finance
Rensselaer Industrial Affiliate Alliance
Corporate members of the Rensselaer Industrial Affiliate Alliance are currently participating in IAPs in the following areas:
- Biological and Interdisciplinary Studies
- Career and Professional Development
- Computer Science
- Data Exploration and Application
- Data Science Research
- Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering
- Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Materials, Devices, and Integrated Systems
- Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering
- Supply Networks and Analytics
Sample of RIAA Member Benefits
The Office of Corporate Relations works directly with corporations interested in joining RIAA to tailor membership benefits to their respective interests and needs.
Assigned Faculty Liaison.
Affiliate partners are assigned a faculty liaison who will help to identify and facilitate potential engagement opportunities, including student recruitment and research.
Visibility to Students and Faculty.
In addition to institute-wide opportunities for exposure and recognition, affiliate partners gain visibility through a variety of media, including departmental listings, websites, and event signage specifically targeted to the core audiences associated with their program.
Facilitated Student Access.
Early and continuous student access and engagement is critical to successful recruiting. Affiliate partners have numerous opportunities to interact with students outside of the traditional recruitment process for maximum exposure.
Invitation to Present.
Affiliate partners are invited on campus to present current activities to Rensselaer students and faculty as a way to engage prospective future employees and generate interest in joint research collaborations.
Input into Program Direction.
Affiliate partners are invited to attend program-specific annual meetings where they receive updates about the work and direction of participating departments and are encouraged to offer feedback and suggestions for refinements and enhancements.
Year-round Engagement.
Affiliate partners receive regular communications updates including copies of relevant reports and publications.