WARWICK, R.I. – For Naglaa Gaafar Rego, a deep commitment to equity and student advocacy is rooted in a diverse educational and professional journey that began in Alexandria, Egypt.

Armed with an M.A. from UMass Dartmouth and a leadership certificate from Cornell University, she has dedicated her career at the Community College of Rhode Island to helping students navigate academic and financial barriers. Today, she channels that same passion for advocacy into her role as the Chair of CCRI's Staff Assembly.

Since the Assembly's inception, Gaafar Rego has been instrumental in building the shared governance body from the ground up. Under her leadership, it has evolved into a highly respected voice across the college, bridging the gap between campus operations, faculty, and administration. By fostering a culture of collaboration, she ensures that the staff members working on the front lines of student success feel heard, valued, and empowered to help shape the institution's future.

In this edition of Thinkers, Doers & Achievers, Knight Knowledge spoke with Gaafar Rego to learn more about her career, the evolution of the Staff Assembly, and more.

Knight Knowledge: Can you tell us a bit about your background and what brought you to CCRI?

Gaafar Rego: I came to CCRI with a passion for education, student advocacy, and helping others overcome barriers to success. Originally from Alexandria, Egypt, my educational and professional journey has allowed me to work across different cultures and experiences, which shaped my commitment to equity, access, and student support.

My educational background includes an M.A. in Professional Writing and Communication from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and a graduate certificate in the Psychology of Leadership from Cornell University. Those experiences strengthened my understanding of leadership, communication, and the importance of creating supportive environments where students and employees can thrive.
At CCRI, I found a community-centered institution whose mission aligned closely with my values. Over the years, I have worked in student services and financial aid initiatives, particularly supporting students navigating academic and financial challenges. What continues to inspire me most is CCRI’s transformative impact on students’ lives and the dedication of our faculty and staff who work every day to support student success.

Knight Knowledge: You’ve been with the Staff Assembly since its creation. In what ways has it grown?

Gaafar Rego: The growth of the Staff Assembly has been remarkable. In the beginning, much of the work focused on building structure, creating visibility, and helping staff understand the Assembly’s role in shared governance. Since then, it has evolved into an active and respected voice across the college.

Today, the Assembly has stronger representation from divisions across CCRI, greater engagement from staff members, and more meaningful collaboration with college leadership. We’ve expanded committee work, increased communication with constituents, and created opportunities for staff to participate in important institutional conversations.

One of the most rewarding aspects of that growth has been seeing staff recognize that their perspectives matter and that they truly have a voice in shaping the college community.

Knight Knowledge: How has the Staff Assembly impacted different parts of the college?

Gaafar Rego: The Staff Assembly has helped strengthen communication, collaboration, and shared governance throughout CCRI. Staff members are often on the front lines of supporting students and campus operations, so ensuring their voices are included in institutional discussions is incredibly important.

Through Assembly representation and committee participation, staff have contributed to conversations related to student success, campus safety, strategic planning, operations, communication, and workplace culture. The Assembly also helps connect staff (and faculty) across campuses and departments, creating a stronger sense of community and collaboration throughout the college.

I believe one of our greatest impacts has been fostering an environment where staff feel heard, valued, and empowered to contribute ideas that improve both the employee and student experience.

Knight Knowledge: As its leader, what accomplishment or success achieved by the assembly are you most proud of?

Gaafar Rego: What I’m most proud of is helping establish a culture of engagement and collaboration where staff feel comfortable speaking up, participating, and contributing to institutional progress. Building a new shared governance body from the ground up required trust, consistency, and relationship-building across the college.

I’m also proud of the Assembly’s continued growth in visibility and credibility. Seeing staff representatives actively involved in strategic discussions and working collaboratively with leadership demonstrates how far the Assembly has come in a relatively short period of time.

Most importantly, I’m proud that we have created a space where staff voices are recognized as an essential part of CCRI’s success and mission.

Knight Knowledge: Why should someone consider joining the Staff Assembly?

Gaafar Rego: Joining the Staff Assembly is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at CCRI while growing professionally and personally. It brings together staff who are thinkers, doers, and achievers -- individuals who care deeply about the college community and want to help move the institution forward through collaboration, innovation, and service.

The Assembly gives staff a voice in shared governance and creates opportunities to advocate for positive change, strengthen communication across the college, and contribute ideas that improve both the employee and student experience. It is also a valuable space to develop leadership skills, build relationships across departments, and become more connected to the mission and future of CCRI.

Serving in the Staff Assembly has truly been an honor and a privilege. It has strengthened my connection to the college’s vision and deepened my commitment to serving our students and one another as colleagues and community members. The experience has been both personally and professionally rewarding, and I sincerely hope others will heed the call to serve when elections open. It is absolutely worth it!

Most importantly, serving in the Staff Assembly reinforces that every role at CCRI matters. When staff come together with a shared purpose and commitment to excellence, we can help shape a stronger, more inclusive, and more successful institution for everyone.