Robe Leadership Institute
Robe Leadership Institute
Elevate Your Engineering Future with the Robe Leadership Institute
As you approach the culmination of your engineering studies, it's time to distinguish yourself not just as an engineer, but as a leader poised to shape the future. The T. Richard and Eleanora K. Robe Leadership Institute (RLI) at ºÚÁϳԹÏ's Russ College of Engineering and Technology offers an exclusive, transformative seminar each fall designed specifically for junior and senior engineering students like you.​
A Legacy of Leadership
Established in 1996 to honor Dean T. Richard Robe and his wife, Eleanora, the Robe Leadership Institute has been at the forefront of integrating leadership education within engineering. Our mission is to cultivate engineers who are not only technically proficient but also visionary leaders committed to the core RLI Principles: Respect all, Learn Always, Inspire Authentic Action.
The Robe Leadership Institute Seminar
Seize the Opportunity
While the RLI seminar (ET 4950/5950) is not a mandatory component of your degree, it represents a unique opportunity to elevate your professional trajectory. Many participants regard it as the Russ College's best-kept secret — a pivotal experience that has profoundly influenced their careers.​
Transform your potential into leadership excellence with the Robe Leadership Institute.
Why Choose the RLI Seminar?
Intimate Learning Environment: With an interdisciplinary cohort of about 12 scholars mentored by an instructional team that includes experienced leaders, you'll have a personalized educational experience that hones your leadership abilities and fosters deep connections with peers.​
- Comprehensive Leadership Development: The Robe Leadership Institute (RLI) experience delves into essential areas such as emotional intelligence, self-assessment, team dynamics, and personal leadership styles, equipping you with the skills vital for impactful leadership in engineering and beyond.​
- Engagement with Industry Leaders: Personal interactions with a range of guest speakers – many of them Russ College alumni who are at various stages of their personal and professional leadership journeys – will provide opportunities for networking and learning from their real-world experiences, challenges, and triumphs.
- Experiential Learning Opportunities: Participate in dynamic activities including leadership development trips, outdoor challenge courses, case studies, student-led workshops and interactive discussions – all designed to help you develop and implement an effective leadership philosophy and style.
- Access to High-quality Resources: As an RLI Scholar, you'll have access to funds for resources and experiences to help in your leadership development, as well as access to the extensive library of leadership materials housed in the Gerald Loehr Leadership Resource Center.
How to Apply
Now is a great time to reach out for more information, or to apply to join the next cohort of RLI scholars. Applications for the Fall seminar are accepted year-round until the cohort is full. For more information or to apply, contact Greg Kremer, Loehr Professor and Assistant Chair of Mechanical Engineering, at kremer@ohio.edu. Given the limited class size, we encourage you to act promptly to secure your place among the next generation of engineering leaders.​
All applicants will receive a reply. Eligible candidates will be contacted for an interview/discussion as part of the final selection process.
For more information, contact Greg Kremer, Robe Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering, via email at kremer@ohio.edu.
About the Fall Seminar
Members of the fall seminar (ET 4950/5950) will engage with executives, entrepreneurs, early-career alumni, and other leaders to learn from their experiences and perspectives. You’ll receive leadership development materials, have meals with guest speakers, and be invited to a spring break trip to visit leaders at their companies (past trips have been to San Diego) or similar leadership development experiences.
Robe Institute History and Mission
Established in 1996 by the ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Board of Trustees, the T. Richard and Eleanora K. Robe Leadership Institute encourages and promotes effective leadership among the Russ College’s students, faculty, and staff.
The institute’s mission is to:
- Provide a focal point in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology for the understanding of leadership and to promote effective leadership among students, faculty, and staff of the College.
- Educate students about the fundamentals and importance of effective leadership in professional practice in order to better serve their professions and society.
- Encourage students with leadership aptitudes and interest to study in the Russ College at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels.
About T. Richard Robe
The institute was established by the ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Board of Trustees in 1996 to honor retiring Dean T. Richard Robe, and his wife, Eleanora, who served the Russ College as a team during their 16-year tenure. With Dean Robe’s leadership, the College introduced selective admission standards, women’s and minority programs, and other innovative programs. Robe also worked to strengthen the College’s faculty by introducing the practice of named professorships at ºÚÁϳԹÏ. He has served on numerous boards, consulted with several corporations, and published in several engineering journals.
Robe graduated from ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï in 1955 with high honors in civil engineering. After working for General Electric and serving in the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot, he returned to ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï to complete a master’s degree in mechanical engineering while teaching civil engineering. After earning his Ph.D. in engineering mechanics at Stanford University, Robe was a professor at the University of Kentucky and later as associate dean for academic affairs in its college of engineering.
Robe became the institute’s first director and architect of its initiatives. He retired as director at the end of 2004.
Leadership Workshop
The RLI Leadership Workshop is a three-night leadership workshop where you will develop essential leadership skills such as decision making, time management, and artful listening through interactive mini-activities.
Enhance your abilities to lead effectively and make new connections in the process! Each day will have multiple activities to choose from led by current members of the Robe Leadership Institute. Come for any number of nights you want, and have a chance to win prizes such as coffee vouchers and OHIO merchandise.
- Meet new people.
- Practice skills development around leadership topics like time management, empathy and lifelong learning.
- Learn from the current Robe Leadership Institute scholars and learn about the program.
- Select workshops that meet your personal and professional goals.
- Gain hands-on practical experience with different leadership workshops.
Robe Institute Leadership and Advisory Board
Advisory Board
- Greg Kremer Director, RLI Ex Officio
- Cody Petitt Co-Director, RLI Ex Officio
- Deb McAvoy CEE June-28
- Kevin Crist ChBE June-29
- Chris Bartone EECS June-27
- Felipe Aros-Vera ISE June-26
- Todd Myers ETM June-26
- Timothy J. Cyders ME June-26
- Charles Stuckey Russ College BOV June-26
- Dan Squiller Russ College Alumnus June-28
Loehr Leadership Resource Center
The Robe Leadership Institute’s Gerald Loehr Leadership Resource Center houses books and multimedia materials on leadership and prominent leaders, emphasizing leaders with engineering backgrounds. The center also has a private computer lab and audiovisual equipment for Robe Scholars’ use.
- 2010 ASEE/IEEE FIE Paper [PDF]
- 2009 ASEE/IEEE FIE Paper [PDF]
- Books - download [Excel] / [PDF]
- Audio Materials - download [Excel] / [PDF]
- Video Materials - download [Excel] / [PDF]
Leadership Awards
Each year, the Robe Leadership Institute recognizes an outstanding senior student leader in each department. From this group, one student receives the Gerald Loehr Senior Leadership Award, the highest leadership honor for a Russ College graduating senior.
The institute also sponsors a faculty and staff leadership/service award, given by the Russ College Board of Visitors, to recognize exemplary faculty and staff contributions.