We would like to share that Rob Carney has announced his retirement from his role as Director of Campus Planning & Facilities Design, effective September 30, 2026.
Rob's career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute spans 38 years of leadership, dedication, and service. Throughout his tenure, he has played an integral role in planning, developing, and stewarding the Institute's physical campus.
Few individuals have influenced RPI as broadly as Rob. Through his leadership in campus planning, capital projects, and space strategy, he has helped shape the environment that supports the Institute's academic, research, and student-focused mission. His positive outlook, collaborative spirit, and deep institutional knowledge have made him a trusted colleague and valued partner across campus. As a recipient of the Pillars of Rensselaer Award, the Institute's highest honor for staff, Rob exemplifies the dedication, service, and commitment that have helped strengthen the RPI community.
As Director of Campus Planning & Facilities Design, Rob has provided strategic leadership for campus planning, capital project delivery, and space planning and management. He has worked closely with senior leadership, deans, faculty, and administrative partners to align facilities investments with institutional priorities.
Over the course of his 38-year career at RPI, Rob has overseen and supported thousands of projects that have shaped the daily experience of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. His work spans everything from office and classroom renovations to complex research facilities such as the LINAC, as well as many of the athletic venues that define campus life, including the East Campus Athletic Village. He has also played a pivotal role in preparing hundreds of spaces for new faculty and researchers, helping ensure that teaching and research programs could thrive. Whether supporting groundbreaking research, enhancing the student experience, or improving the functionality of campus spaces, Rob's contributions have left a lasting and visible legacy across RPI.
His thoughtful leadership, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on RPI and will continue to benefit the community for years to come. As Rob begins his well-earned retirement, we extend our deepest gratitude for his many contributions and wish him all the best in this exciting new chapter.
Please stop by the Heffner Alumni House, Great Room, anytime between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, to congratulate Rob on his well-earned retirement and thank him for his many years of dedicated service to RPI.