The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) was named a 2026 Bellwether Award Finalist by the Bellwether College Consortium for its partnership with Bally’s.

In 2023, CCRI and Bally’s launched a $5 million partnership to create gaming-focused workforce programs aligned with Rhode Island’s labor needs. The investment established new learning pathways in gaming and related fields, blending classroom instruction with hands-on experience at Bally’s Twin River Casino Resort in Lincoln. As part of the initiative, CCRI opened the Casino Training Academy, an immersive casino simulation lab, at its Lincoln campus designed to deliver industry-aligned, experiential training.

CCRI is one of just ten institutions selected in the highly competitive Workforce Development category -- and one of only two colleges in New England to be named a finalist. The Bellwether Awards honor the nation’s most forward-thinking community colleges, spotlighting programs that deliver measurable outcomes, scalable models, and transformative impact.

“CCRI is honored to be named a finalist for this prestigious recognition which both reflects our long-standing commitment to innovative workforce solutions and affirms our role as a nationally recognized engine of workforce development,” said CCRI President Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN. “Our partnership with Bally’s is a powerful example of how education and industry can work hand-in-hand to create new opportunities for economic mobility. Together with Bally’s, we are dedicated to providing students with the support and training needed to build successful futures right here in Rhode Island.”

“Bally’s Corporation is proud to call Rhode Island home, and our partnership with CCRI reflects our long-term commitment to investing in the people who live and work here,” said Craig Eaton, President of Rhode Island Operations, Bally’s Corporation.

“This historic $5 million investment is creating real pathways to well-paying careers through hands-on training, industry certifications, and flexible education options that don’t require a four-year degree. Together with CCRI, we are building opportunity, strengthening our workforce, and supporting Rhode Islanders for generations to come.”

As a Bellwether finalist, CCRI will present its work at the 32nd Annual Community College Futures Assembly in February 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. The event convenes community college leaders and innovators from across the country to share best practices shaping the future of higher education.

The Bellwether College Consortium opened nominations in summer 2025 and selected finalists from 20 states representing 29 community colleges from a highly competitive pool. Finalist teams will present to a jury of anonymous judges and community college leaders, sharing how they addressed critical challenges facing the sector.

The event is co-sponsored by the Association of Community College Trustees, the National Council of Instructional Administrators, the National Council for State Directors of Community Colleges, the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship, and the National Council for Continuing Education and Training.

To learn more about CCRI's offerings through the Bally's partnership, visit the Introduction to Table Games webpage, where you can fill out a program inquiry form.