Budding computer programmer soars to new heights through Promise scholarship
Feb. 3, 2020
The Rhode Island Promise scholarship has helped countless Community College of Rhode
Island students reaffirm their commitment to learning, whether it’s through peace
of mind outside of school or a laser-like focus in the classroom.
For North Providence’s John Samos, a first-year Computer Science student and member
of CCRI’s Joint Admissions Agreement (JAA) program, the Promise scholarship has given
him the opportunity of a lifetime to turn his passion into a career, an opportunity
that might not have been available otherwise.
“I’m very lucky students like myself have Rhode Island Promise,” said the 19-year-old
Samos, who now lives in Cranston while attending CCRI.
“I don’t know if I would have really been able to afford college if it wasn’t for
Rhode Island Promise. Now I have time to save and plan out the rest of my life and
really study what I want to do so I have options as I get older.”
Citing a “tough upbringing,” Samos dealt with the challenges of moving from city to
city as a youth. He spent time in the Silver Lake section of Providence, then moved
to the east side of Cranston before relocating to North Providence to live with his
father during his senior year of high school. The constant relocating never affected
his grades.
As a child, he developed an interest in working with his hands, fascinated with cars
and electronics and motivated to learn how things work. A standout athlete in basketball,
baseball and football, Samos also played video games, which piqued his interest in
computer programming.
After transferring from Cranston East High School to North Providence midway through
his senior year, he reconnected with his aunt, a senior project coordinator, who recommended
he consider enrolling at CCRI as a Promise scholar. After learning more about the
program, Samos realized CCRI was the logical choice based on the benefits of Promise
in addition to the college’s Academic and Career Paths and JAA programs. With the
necessary guidance to choose the right courses and a conditional transfer agreement
in place to enroll at the University of Rhode Island in 2021, Samos is now on the
fast track to an associate degree in Computer Science.
“This is a very important time of our lives as students,” Samos said, “and the Rhode
Island Promise program definitely makes it easier for us to focus on our course work
rather than worrying about things we shouldn’t be worrying about right now.
“Also, the flexibility is great. That’s the main reason I like it here. CCRI helps
me a lot as a student and prepares me to go to URI.”
Samos is excited about the potential job opportunities available in his field. With
a Computer Science degree, he can work in the fast-growing Cybersecurity industry,
or transition to IT, systems analysis or perhaps work as a game developer. In addition
to being a full-time student, Samos works between 30 to 35 hours per week – mostly
nights – at a Stop & Shop Gas Station in Providence. During his downtime, he breaks
out his study materials and thumbs through notes so he can stay on top of the curriculum.
The Promise program has helped shape Samos’ future, and he hopes those who are currently
in high school or are about to enter – including his 14-year-old sister – will have
the same opportunity to take advantage of everything the scholarship has to offer.
Rhode Island Promise works, Samos says, and it’s kept him focused on his future as
he continues to take the right steps toward a satisfying career in a high-demand industry.
“I definitely recommend CCRI,” he said. “I have a lot of friends who are a year younger
than me and I tell them how the school is a great start to earn a bachelor’s degree.
You can focus more, be closer to home, and get ready and more prepared for that four-year
college experience when it’s time to transfer. CCRI and Rhode Island Promise is giving
everyone an opportunity to show how smart they and work toward the careers they want
in their future.”
Share this story
Latest News
CCRI and Rhode Island Energy partner to launch free utilities career exploration program
April 17, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Energy are teaming up to offer a free exploratory program designed to give participants a window into the growing utilities industry.
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.
Read More
Four CCRI Faculty Honored with NISOD Awards of Excellence
April 10, 2025
Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that four distinguished faculty members have been recognized with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. The recipients, honored for their exceptional dedication to student success and academic excellence
Read More
CCRI Achieves Gold Status as Military Friendly® School
April 10, 2025
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.
Read More
CCRI Celebrates First Cohort of MC3 Graduates, Expands Apprenticeship Readiness Program to Providence and Newport Campuses
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.
Read More
CCRI Dental Hygiene Clinic to Host Free Sealant and Fluoride Community Day for Children & Teens
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.
Read More
Lucas Johnson Named Rhode Island's 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar
March 17, 2025
Warwick, RI- Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) student and Warwick resident, Lucas Johnson, has been named a 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar and will receive a $2,250 scholarship.
Read More
Governor McKee, CCRI Announces Launch of Associate Degree in Culinary Craftsmanship
March 07, 2025
NEWPORT, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) today announced the launch of an associate in arts degree in Culinary Craftsmanship on CCRI’s Newport Campus in fall 2025. To support this initiative, Governor McKee is proposing $850,000 to create a Culinary and Hospitality hub at CCRI’s Newport Campus. The hub will serve as a state-of-the-art learning environment designed to meet the growing demand for skilled culinary professionals in Rhode Island’s workforce.
Read More
CCRI Metallica Scholars: Forging Paths to Success in Healthcare
March 05, 2025
For students like Esther Duran, of Providence, Wanda Wrobleski, of Cumberland, and Richard Garcia, of Providence, the journey to a fulfilling career in healthcare has been transformed thanks to the Community College of Rhode Island and the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). Funded by a $75,000 grant from the legendary rock band’s foundation, All Within My Hands, this initiative provides financial support to students enrolled in CCRI’s Medical Assistant and Patient Support Specialist workforce training programs—helping to alleviate financial burdens and empower students to focus on their education and career goals.
Read More
CCRI Women's Basketball Team Punches Ticket to National Tournament
March 05, 2025
Warwick, RI- The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Women’s Basketball teamshowcased their dominance once again in the NJCAA Region XXI Conference, securing the regional title for the fourth year in a row and, punching their ticket to the National Tournament.
Read More
CCRI Players Present Stephen Sondheim's Assassins
March 04, 2025
WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Players continue their 2024–25 season with a bold and thought-provoking production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins, running March 6–9 at the Bobby Hackett Theatre on CCRI's Knight Campus.
Read More
CCRI Players Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence
February 14, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island's (CCRI) student-run theatre group, the CCRI Players, proudly marks half a century of participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 1, held this year at Central Connecticut State University. Over the five-day event, the Players distinguished themselves by securing 10 awards across various disciplines, including acting and properties design.
Read More
Black History Month
February 10, 2025
February marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans in this country; a time to acknowledge the lasting achievements of the people of the African diaspora who have shaped American history; and a time to walk alongside today’s Black leaders as they lead the work to create a truly anti-racist, inclusive community for all.
Read More
Fall 2024 Dean's List
January 08, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island announces its Fall 2024 Dean's List. Students enrolled in a degree program who have completed 12 credits with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher this semester with no grade lower than “C” are eligible for this scholastic honor.
Read More
World Languages student and Rhode Island native wins fifth Emmy Award for film-editing technology
December 13, 2024
Cranston, RI, native Thomas Ohanian, a World Languages & Cultures student completing his independent study, recently won his fifth Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy Award for co-inventing the Avid Multicamera System, a technology that has revolutionized the film-making and editing industry.
Read More
College's Division of Workforce Partnerships earns 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award
December 12, 2024
The Community College of Rhode Island’s Division of Workforce Partnerships has won the 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award for its work in developing free training programs to help upskill more than 50 employees through online trainings and in-person courses at PACE’s East Providence, RI, headquarters and CCRI’s Providence Campus.
Read More
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Westerly Education Center (WEC)
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Liston Campus
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Liston Campus
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Flanagan Campus