Colombia native and volleyball star defies odds to pursue career in physical therapy
Colombia native and volleyball star defies odds to pursue career in physical therapy
Dec. 12, 2019
The Rhode Island Promise scholarship has made what seemed impossible at first suddenly
within reach for former Community College of Rhode Island women’s volleyball captain
Manuela Restrepo.
“Because of Rhode Island Promise, I’m here right now doing what I want to do,” said
the 18-year-old Colombia native who is on track to earn her Associate Degree and continue
her education at Rhode Island College to study physical therapy.
“College is expensive. I wouldn’t have been able to afford it without Rhode Island
Promise.”
Growing up, Restrepo dreamt of moving to the United States to escape the escalating
violence in her native country of Colombia. With her family’s support, Restrepo immigrated
to the United States at the age of 15, settling in Central Falls, where she lived
with extended family and enrolled at Central Falls High School.
The transition was difficult at first. Restrepo spoke limited English and felt “lost”
because she couldn’t communicate with her teachers or fellow classmates. While she
excelled in ESL courses, her performance on the volleyball court helped Restrepo acclimate
to her new surroundings by teaching her to communicate with teammates and coaches.
After school, practice and homework, she worked nights at La Casona, a Colombian restaurant
in Central Falls.
She always wanted to attend college, but the cost of tuition stood in the way. When
her guidance counselors introduced her to the Rhode Island Promise scholarship program,
she knew it was the most logical choice to put her on the fast track to a college
degree.
At CCRI, Restrepo thrived in the classroom and on the court, serving as women’s volleyball
captain this past season, where she led the Knights to a 14-6 record. Her love of
volleyball led her to pursue a career and academic path to become a physical therapist.
“Through this program, I can combine my love of sports with my passion to help others,”
Restrepo said. “My experience as an athlete will benefit my work, as I understand
what it takes to overcome injury to return to playing at a high level.”
Adjusting to college life while still mastering the English language has been an eye-opening
experience for Restrepo, but she’s received tremendous support from coaches, teammates
and professors. She credits English professor Ali Khalil, a native of Syria with whom
she has taken ESL and English courses, for an open-door policy that has afforded her
the opportunity to seek extra help when necessary. The structure provided by both
the NJCAA academic eligibility requirements and the Promise scholarship guidelines
keep her on the right track in the classroom.
“She is an excellent student,” Khalil said. “She is intelligent, diligent, and persistent.
These three qualities constitute the bedrock of her success in my class. She does
not accept mediocrity, and she always makes participating in class and voicing out
her thoughts a priority. Her writing skills have significantly improved since the
beginning of the semester, and there is a reason for this progress: She takes what
we do in class seriously. I see a bright future ahead of her.”
From a shy teenager new to the United States to the captain of the volleyball team,
Restrepo is well on her way to pursuing a successful career in physical therapy, a
goal that seemed far beyond her grasp until CCRI’s Promise scholarship.
“I’m proud of what I have accomplished,” she said. “CCRI is making my dreams come
true.”
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On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) celebrated a milestone achievement: its 60th Commencement Ceremony. Held at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, the event marked the culmination of CCRI’s year-long diamond anniversary celebration and was a stirring tribute to six decades of transformation, opportunity, and achievement for Rhode Islanders.
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Ten student-athletes from the Community College of Rhode Island were honored last week for their athletic and academic achievements as part of the annual Scholar-Athlete Awards held in House Chamber of the Rhode Island State House. The Legislative Awards are designed to provide public recognition for student-athletes from CCRI, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island for significant achievements in their academic and athletic pursuits. The honorees have also demonstrated exemplary citizenship and community service.
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The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Rhode Island College (RIC) are proud to announce the launch of a new, fully online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program. This innovative partnership offers CCRI nursing graduates a seamless, affordable, and flexible pathway to earn their BSN while delivering the academic rigor and clinical relevance that Rhode Island’s healthcare system demands.
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The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has partnered with United Way of Rhode Island to establish a 211 satellite office on CCRI’s Warwick campus, expanding access to essential community resources for students. This collaboration underscores CCRI’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to student success and ensuring students have the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
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Introduction to Utilities – free to anyone who meets eligibility requirements through funding from Rhode Island Energy – is a seven-hour introductory course that provides participants with foundational skills and knowledge to explore career pathways within the utilities sector, specifically with Rhode Island Energy.
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Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce that it has been designated a Military Friendly® School for the fourth consecutive year, achieving Gold status for the first time during the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious recognition underscores CCRI's unwavering commitment to supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.
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April 08, 2025
WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly celebrates the graduation of its first cohort of the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Apprenticeship Readiness Program, marking a significant milestone in the college’s commitment to expanding career pathways in the skilled trades. The graduation ceremony took place on Thursday, April 3, at 3:30 p.m. at CCRI’s Warwick Campus.
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March 31, 2025
The CCRI Dental Hygiene Clinic’s upcoming Sealant and Fluoride Community Day on Friday, April 25, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Lincoln Campus will provide free dental sealants and fluoride treatments for children and teens ages 6 to 17. The event will be led by CCRI’s dental hygiene students, who will provide preventative care under the supervision of licensed professionals.
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March 07, 2025
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Dec. 12, 2019 
