In our newest segment, "Getting to Know," we profile recent hires at CCRI and provide
an in-depth look at their role at the college, their background prior to joining our
community, and how their work reflects CCRI's guiding principles. Email marketing@ccri.edu to nominate a co-worker.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a great way for students – especially adult learners or those who took time off
between high school and college – to earn college credits based on their learning
experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting. That could be anything from
military service and corporate training to previous work experience and college-level
knowledge tests, such as CLEP (College Level Examination Program).
To help students better understand the benefits of CPL, and, most importantly, determine
whether they’re eligible for such credits, the college recently hired Nicole Sheldon, a former high school counselor and Office Administrator at the University of Rhode
Island, to join the Office of Admissions as its CPL Coordinator. She will be responsible
for leading the rebrand from Prior Learning Assessment – another commonly-used term
to describe this opportunity – to Credit for Prior Learning while helping students
explore these new pathways toward completing their degree faster and more efficiently.
Today, we caught up with Nicole to get a better understanding of her role at the college
and learn more about the importance of CPL for students who may meet the requirements.
Why is CCRI changing the name of this opportunity from PLA to CPL?
“It often trips people up when they hear the word ‘assessment.’ They might think they
have to take a test, but that is not always the case. For example, students may earn
credit for their training in the military or by putting together a specific portfolio.
While this rebrand is new, PLA has been around for a while. A few other organizations
have begun to use the new term, CPL, so there has been a bit of a shift. With PLA,
the term at the forefront is ‘assessment,’ and to an outside student that might sound
scary. The shift to CPL puts the emphasis on the benefit, which is ‘credit.’”
Who is eligible to earn credit for prior learning?
"This applies to all students currently registered and accepted into a degree program
at CCRI. The prior learning must be college-level and used toward credits in your
program of study. It certainly can benefit adult learners or students who’ve had a
year or two off between high school and college, but it can also be an opportunity
for students right out of high school. The majority of students taking advantage of
CPL have not been in college for a bit, but maybe they have military training or work
experience, or perhaps workplace training such as the police academy, apprenticeships,
or real estate.
"CPL is recognition for learning that may have taken place outside of a traditional
college setting, which, for many of our students, could include a world language.
For example, if you are a native Spanish speaker and have strong Spanish language
skills, you could take and pass a CLEP exam for Spanish and earn credit rather than
take a Spanish course. There are a bunch of different avenues students can explore."
Why should students explore CPL?
"Earning credit for prior learning is a faster path toward getting a degree and studies
show it significantly boosts motivation and degree completion. I am living proof.
When I was working to become licensed as a school counselor in Vermont, they wanted
me to take certain classes despite the fact I already had the experience, so I understand
how frustrating that can be from a student’s perspective. I put together a portfolio
with various artifacts showing evidence of my prior learning and was granted the license
as a result."
Why is CPL particularly important at CCRI?
"The diversity of our student body is a big reason why CPL is such a priority. We
have many adult learners who might have the previous work experience or training necessary
to earn college credit and therefore complete their degree faster. That population
is also increasing due to the pandemic and the launch of our COVID Recovery Finish
Scholarship, which is providing new opportunities for adult learners who are looking
to continue their education or reenter the workforce in a new field."
More information on CPL is available online. Please continue to check the website for updates. Students interested in finding out whether they are eligible should
contact Nicole Sheldon at njsheldon@ccri.edu.
76-year-old Musician Completing CCRI Degree Decades After Starting
June 02, 2025
Nearly 30 years after beginning his CCRI education, 76-year-old Ed McGuirl is about to check the final box on his long, fascinating résumé. In the mid-1990s, the Jamestown resident studied at CCRI to pursue a social services degree that would complement his work as a substance-abuse treatment professional. But a busy work schedule forced McGuirl to indefinitely pause his studies – until now.
The Community College of Rhode Island announces its Spring 2025 Dean's List. Students enrolled in a degree program who have completed 12 credits with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher thissemester with no grade lower than “C” are eligible for this scholastic honor.
'Overjoyed' CCRI Graduate Opens Up On Getting Engaged At Commencement'
May 23, 2025
Warwick, RI -- Samantha Lescarbeau knew she would experience one life-changing event at CCRI commencement. But she never expected what would happen after she walked across the stage at Amica Mutual Pavillion on May 15.
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.
76-year-old Musician Completing CCRI Degree Decades After Starting
June 02, 2025
Nearly 30 years after beginning his CCRI education, 76-year-old Ed McGuirl is about to check the final box on his long, fascinating résumé. In the mid-1990s, the Jamestown resident studied at CCRI to pursue a social services degree that would complement his work as a substance-abuse treatment professional. But a busy work schedule forced McGuirl to indefinitely pause his studies – until now.
The Community College of Rhode Island announces its Spring 2025 Dean's List. Students enrolled in a degree program who have completed 12 credits with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher thissemester with no grade lower than “C” are eligible for this scholastic honor.
'Overjoyed' CCRI Graduate Opens Up On Getting Engaged At Commencement'
May 23, 2025
Warwick, RI -- Samantha Lescarbeau knew she would experience one life-changing event at CCRI commencement. But she never expected what would happen after she walked across the stage at Amica Mutual Pavillion on May 15.
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.
76-year-old Musician Completing CCRI Degree Decades After Starting
June 02, 2025
Nearly 30 years after beginning his CCRI education, 76-year-old Ed McGuirl is about to check the final box on his long, fascinating résumé. In the mid-1990s, the Jamestown resident studied at CCRI to pursue a social services degree that would complement his work as a substance-abuse treatment professional. But a busy work schedule forced McGuirl to indefinitely pause his studies – until now.
The Community College of Rhode Island announces its Spring 2025 Dean's List. Students enrolled in a degree program who have completed 12 credits with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher thissemester with no grade lower than “C” are eligible for this scholastic honor.
'Overjoyed' CCRI Graduate Opens Up On Getting Engaged At Commencement'
May 23, 2025
Warwick, RI -- Samantha Lescarbeau knew she would experience one life-changing event at CCRI commencement. But she never expected what would happen after she walked across the stage at Amica Mutual Pavillion on May 15.