Gov. McKee signs legislation making Promise scholarship permanent at CCRI
Gov. McKee signs legislation making Promise scholarship permanent at CCRI
May 28, 2021
Governor Dan McKee, joined by Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi,
Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, Commissioner on Postsecondary Education Shannon
Gilkey Ed.D., and Community College of Rhode Island President Meghan Hughes today
signed into law legislation (2021-H 5224A, 2021-H 0097A) which makes the Rhode Island Promise program permanent.
The bill-signing took place at CCRI’s Knight Campus. David Mota, a CCRI graduate who
benefitted from Rhode Island Promise, shared his story about what the program meant
to him.
“Signing this bill into law marks a significant investment in affordable, accessible
higher education for Rhode Island students,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Rhode Island
Promise has helped remove barriers many of our students face in seeking higher education,
and encourages them to maintain good academic standing. Access to quality higher education
supports our economy and our workforce, and enriches the lives of so many who call
Rhode Island home. I thank Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio for championing
this bill and making it a priority this legislative session.”
The program, originally set to expire with the high school graduating class of 2021,
provides up to two years of free tuition for eligible graduating high school seniors
who begin classes at CCRI the following fall. To benefit from the scholarship, students
must be full-time students who qualify for in-state tuition, and they must maintain
at least a 2.5 GPA and remain on track to graduate from CCRI on time.
“I want to express my gratitude to Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio
for their leadership,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “The College Promise program
allows an opportunity for our state’s residents to gain access to a quality education
and to further their goals. I’m glad to see this program will continue to benefit
future generations of learners.”
“The Promise program is an excellent example of how we can prioritize affordable college
options for all Rhode Islanders. The best investment we can make to help individuals
achieve their goals is to give them the access to a college education, which is the
pathway to a brighter future,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23,
Warwick), bill sponsor.
“Rhode Island, the nation and the world are increasingly knowledge economies. Higher
education is more necessary than ever before, and it has to be available and affordable
for all Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island Promise has proven itself effective, significantly
improving two-year graduation rates for students. Removing barriers to higher education,
particularly its high cost, supports families, helps Rhode Islanders land better jobs,
makes our workforce more attractive to employers and strengthens our economy. Rhode
Island Promise is a great program that has proven itself effective, and we strongly
support making it a permanent resource for students,” said Senate President Dominick
J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence), bill sponsor.
“On behalf of the faculty, staff and Rhode Island Promise students, we are incredibly
grateful to Governor McKee, Speaker Shekarchi, Senate President Ruggerio, and the
members of the House and Senate for making the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program
permanent, and with it, access to higher education a reality for thousands of Rhode
Island families,” said CCRI President Meghan Hughes. “Thanks to the Rhode Island Promise
Scholarship program, many more Rhode Islanders are going to college, graduating, and
either continuing with their education or entering the workforce with the skills and
talent needed to earn a family-sustaining wage. The program is a sound investment
in our state’s economic future and provides our students with the opportunity to succeed.
I believe now, more than ever, Rhode Island families need the security of knowing
that, no matter their economic situation, their children have a path forward to a
quality degree and, with it, a brighter future.”
During the first two years of the Rhode Island Promise Program, between 2016 and 2018,
the college-going rate increased 8 percentage points, from 59 percent to 67 percent.
That data demonstrates that more Rhode Island high school graduates are taking advantage
of the scholarship and are going to college.
On February 24, 2025, the International Astronomical Union Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN) recognized CCRI alumni Francine Jackson’s contributions to astronomy education and outreach by naming an asteroid in her honor.The designation was announced in WGSBN Bulletin 5, No. 3, under new names of Minor Planets.
How Theater Alum Max Hayden Earned CCRI's Fifth Gamm Fellowship
June 11, 2025
When an opportunity presented itself, Max Hayden took it and ran with it. Hayden initially focused on behind-the-scenes work for CCRI’s theater program. But after accepting and thriving in the lead role for the school’s Yellowman production in 2023, Hayden became a fixture of the school’s theater program over the last two years.
CCRI Students Blending Art And Science In Unique Exhibition Funded By NSF Grant
June 04, 2025
If you love art or science, and especially if you love both, you’ll want to visit CCRI’s Lincoln Campus this month. Throughout the spring, CCRI Art & Design students collaborated with CCRI STEM professors and students to create original, science-inspired art projects. Funded by a $15,000 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR initiative, this collaboration highlights creative potential that emerges when these two disciplines meet.
CCRI Players' Summer Rep Concludes With Adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Richard III'
August 12, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island Players’ 2025 Summer Rep will wrap up later this month. The annual theater season concludes with CCRI Players’ adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Richard III”, which will be directed by Jonathan Pitts-Wiley. The first show is scheduled for August 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET, with additional showings set for August 22, 23, and 24.
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce the launch of a new Mammography Certificate Program beginning in Fall 2025. Developed in response to growing demand across Rhode Island and Massachusetts for certified mammography technologists, the program offers registered radiographers the opportunity to gain specialized training in breast imaging and prepare for careers in this high-need area of healthcare.
CCRI Professor Maureen A. Murray Honored with 2025 ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award
July 23, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that Business and Professional Studies Associate Professor Maureen A. Murray, of Exeter, RI, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Teaching Excellence Award by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This prestigious honor recognizes educators who exemplify excellence in teaching and dedication to student success within business education.
CCRI Awarded $1M Grant From Lowe's Foundation To Support Trades Careers
July 21, 2025
The Lowe’s Foundation awarded $1 million to the Community College of Rhode Island as part of a select group of community and technical colleges receiving Gable Grants. Since awarding its first grants in 2023, the foundation has expanded skilled trades career pathways through its growing roster of funded partners of 60 community colleges and nonprofit organizations across 28 states.
CCRI Players' Summer Rep Returns With Adaptation of Shakespeare's 'The Comedy of Errors'
July 18, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island Players’ 2025 Summer Rep is just around the corner. The annual theater season begins Thursday, July 31 with CCRI Players’ adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors”, which will be directed by Karen Carpenter and run through Sunday, Aug. 3. The performance, rehearsals for which began this week, is the first of a two-part series that will conclude with a four-day run of Shakespeare’s “Richard III” premiering Wednesday, Aug. 20.
CCRI Alumni Association Elects Announces New President and Officers
July 17, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island Alumni Association has elected a new President. Cumberland native Malida Khim, a 2019 CCRI graduate and Impact Coordinator for Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at CVS Health, will replace Jeffrey Wright Jr., a Woonsocket resident who has held the role since 2023.
CCRI Welcomes Chef Kenneth Watt To Lead New Culinary Arts Program at Newport Campus
July 15, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces the hiring of Chef Kenneth Watt, CEC, MBA, as Assistant Professor of Culinary Arts. Chef Watt will lead the college’s all-new Culinary Arts program, which is unique to CCRI’s Newport County Campus.
CCRI Alum Justin Bibee Named National Peace Corps Association '40 Under 40'
July 10, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly celebrates alumnus Dr. Justin Bibee, a 2009 graduate and Cranston, RI native, who has been named to the National Peace Corps Association’s 2024 “40 Under 40” list, recognizing the next generation of leaders who are reimagining American leadership through service, spirit, and solutions.
Former CCRI Athletic Administrators Vin Cullen and Kevin Salisbury Receive National Recognitions
July 08, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island is proud to announce that longtime coach and athletic director Vin Cullen has been named a recipient of the NJCAA Coaches Association Legacy Award, a national honor recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact on two-year college athletics and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student-athletes throughout their careers.
CCRI Cybersecurity Club Tops Regional Powerhouses In National Competition
June 27, 2025
WARWICK, R.I. -- The Community College of Rhode Island’s Cybersecurity Club is riding high after succeeding on a national scale during the spring. Thanks to a strong showing at the National Cyber League (NCL) spring competition, CCRI placed 27th nationally out of 510 colleges and universities in the final Cyber Power Rankings for the spring season. The performance was commended by David Ziechick, commissioner of the NCL, which has students perform real-world cybersecurity tasks that translate to the workforce.
CCRI Alum Johnny Villella Wins Emmy For Story On Providence Patrolman
June 23, 2025
Johnny Villella needs to clear more space in his trophy case. Villella, a CCRI alum, won an Emmy at the 2025 New England Emmy Awards in the category of News Feature: Serious Feature (Multiple Reports). The award is one of many for Villella, who’s enjoyed a long, decorated career at WPRI-TV (Channel 12 in Rhode Island).
CCRI Joins Achieving The Dream Network To Advance Student Success And Community Impact
June 16, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is pleased to announce that it has joined the network of Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility.
On February 24, 2025, the International Astronomical Union Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN) recognized CCRI alumni Francine Jackson’s contributions to astronomy education and outreach by naming an asteroid in her honor.The designation was announced in WGSBN Bulletin 5, No. 3, under new names of Minor Planets.
How Theater Alum Max Hayden Earned CCRI's Fifth Gamm Fellowship
June 11, 2025
When an opportunity presented itself, Max Hayden took it and ran with it. Hayden initially focused on behind-the-scenes work for CCRI’s theater program. But after accepting and thriving in the lead role for the school’s Yellowman production in 2023, Hayden became a fixture of the school’s theater program over the last two years.
CCRI Students Blending Art And Science In Unique Exhibition Funded By NSF Grant
June 04, 2025
If you love art or science, and especially if you love both, you’ll want to visit CCRI’s Lincoln Campus this month. Throughout the spring, CCRI Art & Design students collaborated with CCRI STEM professors and students to create original, science-inspired art projects. Funded by a $15,000 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR initiative, this collaboration highlights creative potential that emerges when these two disciplines meet.
CCRI Players' Summer Rep Concludes With Adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Richard III'
August 12, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island Players’ 2025 Summer Rep will wrap up later this month. The annual theater season concludes with CCRI Players’ adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Richard III”, which will be directed by Jonathan Pitts-Wiley. The first show is scheduled for August 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET, with additional showings set for August 22, 23, and 24.
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce the launch of a new Mammography Certificate Program beginning in Fall 2025. Developed in response to growing demand across Rhode Island and Massachusetts for certified mammography technologists, the program offers registered radiographers the opportunity to gain specialized training in breast imaging and prepare for careers in this high-need area of healthcare.
CCRI Professor Maureen A. Murray Honored with 2025 ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award
July 23, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that Business and Professional Studies Associate Professor Maureen A. Murray, of Exeter, RI, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Teaching Excellence Award by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This prestigious honor recognizes educators who exemplify excellence in teaching and dedication to student success within business education.
CCRI Awarded $1M Grant From Lowe's Foundation To Support Trades Careers
July 21, 2025
The Lowe’s Foundation awarded $1 million to the Community College of Rhode Island as part of a select group of community and technical colleges receiving Gable Grants. Since awarding its first grants in 2023, the foundation has expanded skilled trades career pathways through its growing roster of funded partners of 60 community colleges and nonprofit organizations across 28 states.
CCRI Players' Summer Rep Returns With Adaptation of Shakespeare's 'The Comedy of Errors'
July 18, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island Players’ 2025 Summer Rep is just around the corner. The annual theater season begins Thursday, July 31 with CCRI Players’ adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors”, which will be directed by Karen Carpenter and run through Sunday, Aug. 3. The performance, rehearsals for which began this week, is the first of a two-part series that will conclude with a four-day run of Shakespeare’s “Richard III” premiering Wednesday, Aug. 20.
CCRI Alumni Association Elects Announces New President and Officers
July 17, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island Alumni Association has elected a new President. Cumberland native Malida Khim, a 2019 CCRI graduate and Impact Coordinator for Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at CVS Health, will replace Jeffrey Wright Jr., a Woonsocket resident who has held the role since 2023.
CCRI Welcomes Chef Kenneth Watt To Lead New Culinary Arts Program at Newport Campus
July 15, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces the hiring of Chef Kenneth Watt, CEC, MBA, as Assistant Professor of Culinary Arts. Chef Watt will lead the college’s all-new Culinary Arts program, which is unique to CCRI’s Newport County Campus.
CCRI Alum Justin Bibee Named National Peace Corps Association '40 Under 40'
July 10, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly celebrates alumnus Dr. Justin Bibee, a 2009 graduate and Cranston, RI native, who has been named to the National Peace Corps Association’s 2024 “40 Under 40” list, recognizing the next generation of leaders who are reimagining American leadership through service, spirit, and solutions.
Former CCRI Athletic Administrators Vin Cullen and Kevin Salisbury Receive National Recognitions
July 08, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island is proud to announce that longtime coach and athletic director Vin Cullen has been named a recipient of the NJCAA Coaches Association Legacy Award, a national honor recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact on two-year college athletics and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student-athletes throughout their careers.
CCRI Cybersecurity Club Tops Regional Powerhouses In National Competition
June 27, 2025
WARWICK, R.I. -- The Community College of Rhode Island’s Cybersecurity Club is riding high after succeeding on a national scale during the spring. Thanks to a strong showing at the National Cyber League (NCL) spring competition, CCRI placed 27th nationally out of 510 colleges and universities in the final Cyber Power Rankings for the spring season. The performance was commended by David Ziechick, commissioner of the NCL, which has students perform real-world cybersecurity tasks that translate to the workforce.
CCRI Alum Johnny Villella Wins Emmy For Story On Providence Patrolman
June 23, 2025
Johnny Villella needs to clear more space in his trophy case. Villella, a CCRI alum, won an Emmy at the 2025 New England Emmy Awards in the category of News Feature: Serious Feature (Multiple Reports). The award is one of many for Villella, who’s enjoyed a long, decorated career at WPRI-TV (Channel 12 in Rhode Island).
CCRI Joins Achieving The Dream Network To Advance Student Success And Community Impact
June 16, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is pleased to announce that it has joined the network of Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility.
On February 24, 2025, the International Astronomical Union Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN) recognized CCRI alumni Francine Jackson’s contributions to astronomy education and outreach by naming an asteroid in her honor.The designation was announced in WGSBN Bulletin 5, No. 3, under new names of Minor Planets.
How Theater Alum Max Hayden Earned CCRI's Fifth Gamm Fellowship
June 11, 2025
When an opportunity presented itself, Max Hayden took it and ran with it. Hayden initially focused on behind-the-scenes work for CCRI’s theater program. But after accepting and thriving in the lead role for the school’s Yellowman production in 2023, Hayden became a fixture of the school’s theater program over the last two years.
CCRI Students Blending Art And Science In Unique Exhibition Funded By NSF Grant
June 04, 2025
If you love art or science, and especially if you love both, you’ll want to visit CCRI’s Lincoln Campus this month. Throughout the spring, CCRI Art & Design students collaborated with CCRI STEM professors and students to create original, science-inspired art projects. Funded by a $15,000 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR initiative, this collaboration highlights creative potential that emerges when these two disciplines meet.
May 28, 2021
