Mission, Foundation & Alumni Association

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Mission of the College

The Community College of Rhode Island is the state’s only public comprehensive associate degree-granting institution. We provide affordable open access to higher education at locations throughout the state. Our primary mission is to offer recent high school graduates and returning adults the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for intellectual, professional and personal growth through an array of academic, career and lifelong learning programs. We meet the wide-ranging educational needs of our diverse student population, building on our rich tradition of excellence in teaching and our dedication to all students with the ability and motivation to succeed. We set high academic standards necessary for transfer and career success, champion diversity, respond to community needs, and contribute to our state’s economic development and the region’s workforce.

CCRI Foundation

The Community College of Rhode Island Foundation was established in January 1979 as an independent, non-profit corporation for the purpose of encouraging and providing support from private sources for CCRI. Funds are primarily used to build a self-perpetuating endowment for the college and for scholarships, but are also used to support college-wide projects which include professional development, capital improvements, the purchase of educational equipment not available from state revenues, campus beautification, athletics and library acquisitions and special programs such as colloquia, fine arts and humanities events.

Alumni Association

The CCRI Alumni Association works with the CCRI Foundation to raise funds for the college, sponsors social events for graduates and friends, and presents an annual scholarships to help students buy textbooks and to help defray the costs to complete their education. Alumni Association membership is open to all graduates of the college. Since 1964, the Community College has graduated nearly 50,000 students. For more information, contact the Director of Alumni Affairs at 333-7150.