Jennifer Schneider Headshot

Jennifer Schneider

Eugene Fram Chair

Office of the Provost and Senior VP for Academic Affairs
Academic Affairs
jlwcem@rit.edu
585-475-2092
Office Location
EAS-2113
Office Mailing Address
Eastman 2113, 12 Lomb Memmorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623

Jennifer Schneider

Eugene Fram Chair

Office of the Provost and Senior VP for Academic Affairs
Academic Affairs

Education

BA, Roberts Wesleyan College; MS, University of Rochester; Sc.D., University of Massachusetts; CIH

Bio

Dr. Jennifer Schneider, CIH is the Eugene H. Fram Chair of Applied Critical Thinking in Academic Affairs (2015- ) and a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management & Safety at RIT. She also leads the Collaboratory for Resiliency & Recovery @ RIT, a multidisciplinary research group that specializes in the data to decision pipeline for community resilience. She earned her Sc.D. from UMASS Lowell, College of Engineering, her MS in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and her BA in Comprehensive Science from Roberts Wesleyan. Prior to coming to RIT, Dr. Schneider worked her way up the corporate EHS for Kodak, Mobil and ITT/Goulds,  She also has served on the local HAZMAT team, and comes from a family of first responders.

Her research interests include critical infrastructure emergency planning and disaster management and application of risk analysis and decision systems theory to determine community level critical infrastructure, impact on emergency management systems and target capabilities. She also studies exposure assessment, modeling of exposure scenarios, particularly hazardous material emergencies, and requisite response planning. Multidimensional sustainability and analysis of sector based corporate sustainability related activities and management systems are also an area of interest.  She was a  ‘2014 Board of Trustees Scholar’ award winner, an RIT ‘million dollar PI’ and has been a Co PI or senior personnel on many more interdisciplinary research projects, spanning RIT colleges and external partnerships.

Dr. Schneider has developed and taught 12 courses and has chaired over ninety graduate thesis/ projects and seventy five senior projects. She continues her own education through various industrial hygiene and emergency management (FEMA) related coursework, tabletops and conferences to update professional certifications including risk analysis, PCII, A/CAMS, border security, incident command & operations, HAZWOPER, influenza, combustible & explosive dust, process safety & radiological monitoring.

Dr. Schneider is recognized by both RIT and external organizations. The RIT Provost appointed her Eugene S. Fram Endowed Chair in Critical Thinking Advisory Board (2012), RIT Institute Review Board for Human Subjects Safety (2009-) and McNair Scholars Advisory Board & Scholar Mentor (2009-2013).  She was also on the NSF/Science Masters Program (SMP for Disaster Science) advisory (2010- 2013). 

Dr. Schneider serves on  US TAG committee for ISO 37101- Community Sustainability (Resilience). She has been appointed by Honorable NY Governor Andrew Cuomo to NY Respond Commission (2012-2014), created in response to Hurricane Sandy; the National Academy of Sciences, Offshore Windfarm Health and Safety Standards Committee (2012-2013); OSHA Regional 2 Technical PI for Regional Education Center, Voluntary Protection Program Mentor (1999-); Genesee Valley Safety Conference Elected Board Member (1997-) Treasurer (2009-); USEPA Environmental Education grant reviewer (5 years); NYS Pollution Prevention grant proposal reviewer (3 years), and is a regular NIH peer review panelist. Dr. Schneider is also an active member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, American Board of Industrial Hygiene- Diplomate Level (28 years, continuous), American Society of Safety Engineers, Air and Waste Management Association, Military Operations Research Society- Decision Systems (MORS), and the Great Lakes Hazard Coalition.

jlwcem@rit.edu
585-475-2092
Personal Links
Personal Website
Areas of Expertise
Critical infrastructure
emergency planning
disaster management
Exposure assessment
Process safety engineering
Process safety management
Critical system engineering

Select Scholarship

Invited Keynote/Presentation
Schneider, Jennifer. "Riding the Perfect Storm: COVID-19 at the Confluence of Community & Occupational Health." Grand Rounds. University of Rochester Medical Center: Occupational & Environmental Medicine. Rochester, NY. 3 Dec. 2020. Address.
Schneider, Jennifer. "RIT Collaboratory for Resiliency & Recovery: Keys to Effective Safety Plans." The Evolving School Safety Dilemma. Mary Cariola Center. Rochester, NY. 12 Nov. 2019. Conference Presentation.
Schneider, Jennifer. "Welcome Address: Advancing Student Thinking for 21st Century Success." AITU Summit. Association of Independent Technological Universities. Chicago, IL. 7 Aug. 2019. Address.
Schneider, Jennifer and Matt Lovell. "Institutional Action Planning Workshop for Applied Critical Thinking." AITU Summit. Association of Independent Technological Universities. Chicago, IL. 8 Aug. 2019. Conference Presentation.
Schneider, Jennifer. "Closure Report on Advancing Student Thinking for 21st Century Success." AITU Summit. Association of Independent Technological Universities. Chicago, IL. 8 Aug. 2019. Keynote Speech.
Goerger, Simon R., John R. Hummel, and Jennifer L. Schneider. "Workshop:Developing and Assessing Resilient Systems in Support of National Security Mission, Military Operations Research Society." MORS. 1US Army Engineer Research and Development Center. Vicksburg, MS. 10-11 Apr. 2018. Conference Presentation.
Schneider, Jennifer. "Effective Methods for Communicating Complex Data (Data Visualization Panel): Critical Thinking as Context for Critical Communication." Reslience Week. INL. Wilmington, DE. 20 Sep. 2017. Conference Presentation.
Schneider, Jennifer. "Thinking Critically for Tomorrow (Today)!" Annual University Women\'s Colloquia. Finger Lakes Community College. Canandaigua, NY. 29 Sep. 2017. Address.
Greenwood, Lisa and Jennifer Schneider. "Incorporating Standards in Higher Education: An Applied Science Approach for Risk Prevention Management Systems Standards." NIST 5th Annual Standards Education Workshop. National Institute for Standards and Technology. Gaithersburg, MD. 2 Nov. 2017. Conference Presentation.
Shenoy, Nirmala, Erik Golen, and Jennifer Schneider. "Creation of Situational Awareness for Emergency Response and Management Using Next Generation Gigabit Communication Systems." Smart Cities Connect Conference & Expo and US Ignite Application Summit. US Ignite/NSF. Austin, TX. 26 Jun. 2017. Conference Presentation.
Schneider, Jennifer and Carol Romanowski. "Critical Infrastrcture: Data & Risk Analysis." April 2014. Military Operations Research Center/ Argonne National Lab. Chicago, IL. 24 Apr. 2014. Address.
Schneider, J. and L. Daley. "Emergency Planning for Childcare Centers." Education of Young Children Annual Conference. Rochester Area Committee. Rochester, NY. 1 Nov. 2013. Keynote Speech.
Schneider, J. "Community COOP Risk Analysis." FEMA Continuity of Operations Strategic Planning Conference. FEMA. Rochester, NY. 26 Jul. 2012. Conference Presentation.
Schneider, J. "Recommendations of the NY Respond Subcommittee: Principles & Practice." NYS Ready & Respond Commissions. NYS Governor's Office and NYU. New York, NY. 11 Dec. 2012. Address.
Schneider, J. "Recommendations of the NY Respond Subcommittee on Principles & Practice." NYS Ready & Respond Commissions. NYS Governor's Office. New York, NY. 11 Dec. 2012. Keynote Speech.
Schneider, J. "Critical Infastructure/Risk Chair." FEMA Northern Border Security Exercise. FEMA. non disclosed city, NY. 14 Oct. 2011. Conference Presentation.
Schneider, J. "Testimony to the Committee." Committee on Transportation & Infrastruture. US House of Representatives/Honorable Thomas Reed. Greater Rochester International Airport, Rochester, NY. 24 Mar. 2011. Address.
Published Conference Proceedings
Andoh, Nana- Yah, et al. "Sustainable Building without Certification: An Exploration of Trends and Implications." Proceedings of the 26th International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS) Conference. Ed. NA. Budapest, Hungary: n.p., 2020. Web.
Abraham, Yewande, et al. "Sustainable Buildings without LEED Certification: Why is this Becoming a Preferred Trend?" Proceedings of the 18th Annual New York State Green Building Conference. Ed. NA. Syracuse, NY: n.p., 2020. Web.
Schneider, JL, SA Dobie, and S Ghettas. "Translation of Process Safety to Cyber Incidents within the Emergency Management Arc." Proceedings of the IEEE- Homeland Security Technologies. Ed. M. Choi and J. Flavin. Woburn, MA: IEEE, 2019. Web.
Dobie, SA, JL Schneider, and A Szafranski. "Going Beyond the Waffle House Index: Using Food Systems as an Indicator of Community Health and Sustainability." Proceedings of the IEEE- Homeland Security Technologies. Ed. M. Choi and J. Flavin. Woburn, MA: IEEE, 2019. Web.
Hummel, J, et al. "Can the Pyramid be Shared? Comparing the Risk Perspectives of the Industrial and Cyber Environments." Proceedings of the Resilience Week 2019. Ed. C Black. San Antonio, TX: n.p., 2019. Web.
Schneider, J., et al. "Building Robust Risk Management as a Method of Situational Awareness at the Local Level." Proceedings of the IEEE Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security (IEEE HST 2018). Ed. Laroque, G. Waltham, MA: IEEE, 2018. Web.
Cardinal, Enid, et al. "Resilience Bootcamp – Turning Threats into Opportunities." Proceedings of the AASHE: American Association of Sustainability in Higher Education. Oct 2018. Ed. Meghan Fay Zahniser. Pittsburgh, PA: n.p., 2018. Web.
A, Decker,, Schneider, J., and Margulieux, L. "How Engineering and Computing Students Demonstrate Critical Thinking During Required Co-op Work Experiences." Proceedings of the 2018 Frontiers in Education Conference. Ed. NA. San Jose, CA: IEEE, 2018. Web.
Carle, Beth, Jennifer Schneider, and Michael Long. "Mapping the Development of Applied Critical Thinking Skills in Engineering Technology Majors." Proceedings of the 2018 ASEE Mid-Atlantic Section Spring Conference, ASEE PEER. Ed. NA. Washington, DC: ASEE, 2018. Web.
Dobie, Sarah and Jennifer Schneider. "Critical Hospitality: Metrics as a Path to Resort Resilience." Proceedings of the ISST:International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology. Ed. Thomas Seager. Buffalo, NY: n.p., 2018. Web.
Greenwood, Lisa, Jennifer Schneider, and Maureen Valentine. "). Environmental Management Systems and Standards-Based Education: A Modular Approach." Proceedings of the Charting the Future: Environment, Energy & Health. AWMA 111th Annual Conference & Exhibition. Ed. NA. Hartford, CN: n.p., 2018. Web.
Greenwood, Lisa, Jennifer Schneider, and Maureen Valentine. "Setting a Course for Student Success: Standards-Based Curriculum and Capacity-Building across Risk Prevention Management System Domains." Proceedings of the 2018 ASEE Mid-Atlantic Section Spring Conference. Ed. NA. Washington, DC: n.p., 2018. Web.
Dobie, Sarah and Jennifer Schneider. "Sarah Dobie* & Jennifer Schneider, ‘Measuring the Impact of Organizational Efforts on Community Sustainability and Resilience.’." Proceedings of the AWMA conference: Finding Common Ground on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Arlington, VA. (Oct 10/11, 2017). Ed. AWMA. Arlington, VA: Air & Waste Management Association, 2017. Web.
Schneider, J., et al. "Building Forward: Strategic Community Resilience." Proceedings of the IEEE- Homeland Security Technologies. Ed. LaRoque & Crowther. Waltham, MA: IEEE, 2017. Web.
Dobie, Sarah and Jennifer Schneider. "Development of a Process Improvement Matrix to Measure Community Level Sustainability: A Collaborative Case Study of Rochester, NY, USA." Proceedings of the IEEE- Homeland Security Technologies. Ed. LaRoque & Crowther. Waltham, MA: IEEE, 2017. Web.
Raj, R., et al. "Modeling Threats: Insider Attacks on Critical Infrastructure Assets." Proceedings of the IEEE- Homeland Security Technologies. Ed. LaRoque & Crowther. Waltham, VA: IEEE, 2017. Web.
Schneider, J. and S. Dobie. "Creating Laddered metrics for Community Resilience Management." Proceedings of the Resilience Week. Ed. David Alderson & Cherrie Black. Wilmington, DE: INL, 2017. Web.
Hummel, J.R., et al. "Understanding the Physical, Environmental, Economic, and Social Factors that Contribute to Environmentally Driven Migration." Proceedings of the 2nd International workshop on Modelling of Physical, Economic and Social Systems for Resilience Assessment. Ed. Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. Brussels, Belguim: Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, 2017. Web.
Hummel, J.R., et al. "Feeding the Future’s Cities: Challenges in an Uncertain World." Proceedings of the 1st Mediterranean Conferences on Food Supply and Distribution Systems in Urban Environments. Ed. UN. Rome, Italy: Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2017. Web.
Romanowski, Carol, et al. "A Multidisciplinary Predictive Model for Managing Critical Infrastructure Disruptions." Proceedings of the Critical Infrastructure Protection X: 10th IFIP WG 11.10 International Conference, ICCIP 2016. Ed. Mason Rice and Sujeet Shenoi. Arlington, VA: Springer International Publishing, 2016. Print.
Romanowski, Carol, et al. "Response and Recovery: A Quantitative Approach to Emergency Management." Proceedings of the 2016 IEEE Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security (HST). Ed. Lance Fiondella and Kenneth Crowther. Boston, MA: IEEE, 2016. Web.
Schneider, Jennifer, et al. "Mapping a Community Resilience Management System: Building Operational Knowledge." Proceedings of the 2016 IEEE Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security (HST). Ed. Lance Fiondella and Kenneth Crowther. Boston, MA: IEEE, 2016. Web.
Mishra, Sumita, et al. "A Modular Approach to Teaching Critical Infrastructure Protection Concepts to Engineering, Technology and Computing Students." Proceedings of the 2016 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE). Ed. Steve Frezza and Dipo Onipede. Erie, PA: IEEE, 2016. Print.
Schneider, Jennifer, Sarah Dobie, and Kelsey Keifer. "Leapfrogging: Use of Community Sustainability Initiatives to Inform Community Resilience." Proceedings of the Resilience Week 2016. Ed. Cherrie Black and David Alderson. Chicago, IL: n.p., 2016. Web.
Romanowski, Carol and Rajendra Raj, Jennifer Schneider, Sumita Mishra, Vinay Shivshankar, Srikant Ayendar, Fernanado Cueva. "Regional Response to Large Scale Emergency Events: Building on Historical Data." Proceedings of the Ninth Annual IFIP WG 11.10 International Conference on Critical Infrastructure Protection. Ed. Sujeet Shenoi, Mason Rice. Arlington, VA: n.p., 2015. Print.
Mishra, Sumita and Rajendra K. Raj, Carol Romanowski, Jennifer Schneider, Anthony Critelli. "On Building Cybersecurity Expertise in Critical Infrastructure Protection." Proceedings of the 2015 IEEE International Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security (HST 2015). Ed. Gerald Larocque, Mike French. Boston, MA: IEEE, 2015. Web.
Schnedier, Jennifer and Carol Romanowski, Rajendra K. Raj, Sumita Mishra, Kent Stein. "Measurement of Locality Specific Resilience." Proceedings of the 2015 IEEE International Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security (HST 2015). Ed. Gerald Larocque, Mike French. Boston, MA: n.p., 2015. Web.
Martinez-Moyano, Ignacio and John Hummel, Paul Lewis, Jennifer Schneider. "Feeding Future’s Cities: Challenges in an Uncertain World." Proceedings of the United Nations’s First Mediterranean Conference on Food Supply and Distribution Systems in Urban Environments. Ed. unk. Rome, Itay: United Nations, 2015. Web.
Hummel, John and Paul Lewis, Jennifer Schneider, L. Talaber. "Paul Lewis, Jennifer Schneider, L. Talaber." Proceedings of the Disaster Resilience. Ed. unk. Philadephia, PA: n.p., 2015. Web.
Martinez-Moyano, Ignacio, John Hummel, and Jennifer Schneder. "Community Resileince & the Role Played by Critical Infrastructure." Proceedings of the Disaster Resilience Conference, Denver, 8/20/2014. Ed. Unknown. Denver, CO: n.p., 2014. Web.
Schneider, J., C. Romanowski, and K. Stein. "Decision Making to Support Local Emergency Preparation, Response, and Recovery." Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security (HST '13). Ed. unknown. Waltham, MA: IEEE, 2013. Print.
Romanowski, C. and J. Schneider. "Critical Infrastructure Protection and Risk Analysis in the Mid- Sized City." Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security Nov. 13-15, 2012 Boston, MA. Ed. I. Solbelman. Boston, MA: IEEE, 2012. Print.
Journal Paper
Schneider, Jennifer, et al. "Community Resilience Management : Reflections and Strategies from Corporate Sustainability." Journal of Environmental Sustainability 6. 1 (2018): article 2. Web.
Dobie, Sarah, et al. "Hotels as Critical Hubs for Destination Disaster Resilience: An Analysis of Hotel Corporations’ CSR Activities Supporting Disaster Relief and Resilience." Infrastructures Special Issue: 3. (2018): NA. Web.
Romanowski, Carol and Rajendra Raj, Jennifer Schneider, Sumita Mishra, Vinay Shivshankar, Srikant Ayendar, Fernanado Cueva. "Regional Response to Large-scale Emergency Events: Building on Historical Data." International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection 11. (2015): 12-21. Print.
Schneider, Jennifer, et al. "Towards Sustainability in the Oil and Gas Sector: Benchmarking of Environmental, Health, and Safety Efforts." Journal of Environmental Sustainability 3. 3 (2014): 1-17. Web.
Long, Micheal, et al. "The Relationship Between Social and Hierarchical Communication Networks in Rural Emergency Response." International Journal of Emergency Manegement 10. 2 (2014): 122-134. Print.
Long, M, et al. "Modelling Communication Network Effect on Emergency Evacuation Times: Public vs. Personal." International Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management. Fall (2012) Print.
Schneider, J., A. Wilson, and J. Rosenbeck. "Pharmaceutical Companies & Sustainability: An Analysis of Corporate Reporting." Benchmarking, An International Journal. Spring (2012) Web.
Morabito, P., et al. "Impact of Personal Communication Networks on Emergency Evacuation Times." Journal of Emergency Management 9. 6 (2011): 75-80. Print.
Schneider, J., et al. "An Analysis of Reported Sustainability Related Efforts in the Petroleum Refining Industry." Journal of Corporate Citizenship 9. (2011): 79-83. Print.
Invited Article/Publication
Goerger, Simon R., John R. Hummel, and Jennifer L. Schneider. "Developing and Assessing Resilient Systems in Support of National Security Missions." The Phalanx: March 2018. (2018). Print.
Goerger, Simon R., John R. Hummel, and Jennifer L. Schneider. "Framing Resilience Through Mission Space." The Phalanx: June 2018. (2018). Print.
Shenoy, Nirmala, Erik Golen, and Jennifer Schneider. "Creating a High-Speed Internet Lane for Emergency Situations." The Coversation. (2017). Web.
Hummel, John and Jennifer Schneider. "The Human Landscape — The Functional Bridge between the Physical, Economic, and Social Elements of Community Resilience." The CIP Report. (2016). Web.
Schneider, Jennifer. "Creating Resilient Communities in the Face of Manmade and Natural Disasters." Rochester Engineering Society. (2015). Print.
Published Review
Schneider, J. "Enhancing Health and Safety Through Management Systems Design." Rev. of Worker Health & Safety on Offshore Windfarms, by unknown. Special Report 310, Transportation Research Board: National Academies Press 2013: Chapter 5. Print.
Published Article
Schneider, Jennifer L., Anna Wilson, and Joseph Rosenbeck. "Pharmaceutical Companies and Sustainability: An Analysis of Corporate Reporting.” Benchmarking: An International Journal, 17.3 (2010): 421-434. Web. " «
Formal Presentation
Carle, Beth, and Jennifer Schneider. “Development of Coursework in Nuclear Energy and Health Physics: Need, Opportunity & Curricula.” American Society for Engineering Education - St. Lawrence Section Conference. Rochester, NY. 26-27 Mar. 2010. Presentation.

Currently Teaching

ESHS-788
Thesis Planning
3 Credits
Students will rigorously develop their thesis research ideas, conduct literature reviews, identify and plan methodologies, prepare schedules, and gain a clear understanding of the expectations of the faculty and the discipline. Each student will be required to prepare a committee approved thesis research proposal and may begin work on their thesis.
ESHS-790
Thesis
3 Credits
The graduate thesis is a formal research document that empirically relates theory with practice. A formal written thesis and oral defense are required.
ESHS-797
Graduate Project
3 Credits
This course provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their capabilities developed through their course of study to design, develop, and/or evaluate an EHS management related project culminating in a written report or manuscript and presentation.
ESHS-792
Continuation of Thesis
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis

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