Meet Kory Samuels, the Chief Financial Officer of the Student Arts Foundation. Born and raised in Rochester and a proud graduate of the School of the Arts, Kory knows firsthand the transformative power of arts education in shaping identity, opportunity, and community connection. His early experiences as a student artist continue to fuel his passion for ensuring today’s youth have the same access to creative growth and cultural engagement.

Kory brings more than 20 years of leadership in hospitality and higher education. He has built a distinguished career at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where he currently serves as Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services. In this role, he oversees dining, housing, facilities, technology, sustainability, finance, and compliance—managing complex budgets and leading major capital projects that impact thousands of students. His professional journey at RIT includes serving as Executive Director of RIT Dining, Associate Director, and General Manager, reflecting his steady growth and commitment to excellence. In addition, he recently served as Chairman of the Board of the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS), supporting more than 300 colleges, universities, and industry partners nationwide.

Kory holds a B.S. in Management Information Systems and an Executive MBA from RIT. At the Student Arts Foundation, he combines his financial expertise, strategic decision-making, and servant leadership approach to ensure that resources are managed responsibly and youth have equitable access to transformative arts opportunities.