Community College of Rhode IslandSuccess Story: Geri & Rana DeAngelis
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HOMETOWN: Smithfield
PROGRAMS OF STUDY:
Geri—Business
Rana—General Studies
For ten years, Geri DeAngelis has been plugging away at her associate’s degree, “one course at a time,” she says. Now 55 years old, DeAngelis will don a gown and mortar board on May 20 to receive her associate degree in business from the Community College of Rhode Island. And she won’t be alone. Also graduating from CCRI will be her 25-year-old daughter Rana.
Rana DeAngelis began her college career at CCRI and then transferred before she earned her associate’s degree to Rhode Island College. As a tribute to her mother, she returned to CCRI this past semester to complete the one course she needed to earn her CCRI associate’s degree. “Watching mom go back to school sent a powerful message that earning your degree was very important, no matter how long it took,” the younger DeAngelis says.
Geri DeAngelis, who finished her courses last December, has real proof that a college degree makes a difference. She recently was promoted to a deputy zoning official for the Town of Smithfield—a job that required a college degree.
May 20th is not only graduation day for the DeAngelis family, it is also the wedding anniversary of Geri and her husband Ray, who works in purchasing at the community college.
