HomeIN THE LIMELIGHTIn the Limelight: Rita Dillon: The Alumna that Keeps on Giving

In the Limelight: Rita Dillon: The Alumna that Keeps on Giving

By JULIET BARNEY
Contributing Writer

Students have flocked to The College of Saint Rose for their exceptional programs in education. Many students have successfully integrated themselves into school systems around the country but, Saint Rose alumna Rita Dillon, found herself educating in an unconventional environment at GE Energy’s Global Learning Organization.

Alumna Rita Dillon. (Photo courtesy of Rita Dillon)

Dillon has recently traveled to Asia, Europe, and Latin America to mold the future leaders of GE. She develops the curriculum, and teaches people how to apply it to the company, and those people then pass it on throughout their offices.

“I take my educational background and apply it in a corporate curriculum,” said Dillon. “To do this I think, what do leaders need to be good at?”

Dillon has proved that a degree in education is not limited to a classroom setting. Teachers are defined as role models who shape and mold the minds of the future, which is what Dillon is actively pursuing not only in her professional career, but in her free time as well.

Dillon graduated from The College of Saint Rose in 1967 with a degree in math and a teaching certificate in secondary education at a time when dual degrees were not an option. Growing up, she always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

“That was the reason I took to Saint Rose,” said Dillon, who is a second generation graduate of the college. Both her mother and sister graduated from Saint Rose with degrees in education.

“The feel of the campus and the relationship with students and faculty influenced my decision,” said Dillon.

Dillon’s leadership skills became known as soon as she set foot on campus. She became actively involved in the Saint Rose community as a freshman. Dillon was a part of the group who founded, what is now called, Student Events Board. She was deemed the first Chairman of the organization. Dillon was also part of the student committee involved in hiring Mike D’Attilio, the current Executive Director of Government & Community Relations.

“I recall a well spoken spunky and smiling student who sat at the edge of her chair and was very enthusiastic,” D’Attilio said. “Rita was highly motivated and very enthusiastic as she shared her passion for Saint Rose.  We were fortunate to benefit from her organizational skills and ability to motivate and involve other students.”

Dillon’s involvement in Saint Rose did not stop there. After graduation, she continued her dedicated service to the college. She has since been involved with the National Alumni Board, Board of Associates.

For the board, Dillon often meets with the Dean of Students to discuss strategies for shaping the future school of business. She has recently begun her first term as an alumni representative to the Board of Trustees which involves working closely with other active members of the Saint Rose Alumni Association.

“Rita has, since her graduation, been an active attendee at many CSR events each year and has also been a contributing Alumni Association Board member, two things which demonstrate her loyalty to her alma mater. Now, as a College Trustee, I know she will continue to demonstrate, in that role, this strong commitment as well as her expertise as a professional,” said Barbara Carr, a colleague and fellow alumna of Saint Rose.

When she is not out of the country or putting time into bettering the college, Dillon spends the majority of her time with her husband Jim and their two children Matt, who now lives in East Greenbush, and Kate who lives in Connecticut. Dillon grew up in Syracuse but since attending college in the area, she has lived in the Capital District and has since settled in Guilderland.

All the time and effort Dillon put into creating clubs and forming leadership roles at the college paved the road for future students who have a knack for teaching. She has proved that teaching is not limited to a classroom setting but can be applied in various forms in many different environments.

“She was a super involved student leader who often was the first to volunteer to help with whatever the college event or project was,” said D’Attilio.

Dillon’s achievements at Saint Rose molded the roles that students continue to fill today, and since graduation, have continued to leave a significant impact on the college’s future. “The things you learn along the way prepare you for leadership roles,” said Dillon of the College.

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