Professor Rissmiller has served in a number of leadership positions associated with WPI's global studies. He also teaches government, law, and public policy. His own research is in energy policy. His studies have addressed the restructuring of the electric industry, energy conservation in hospitals, and the Green Communities Program in Massachusetts, among others.

Rissmiller has helped lead WPI’s signature Global Projects Program—a program that uses project-based learning to immerse students in hands-on experiences in a network of over 50 project centers around the world.  He is also director of the Washington, DC Project Center and has advised students at project centers in Washington, London, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and Zurich.