Community College of Rhode Island Celebrates First Graduating Cohort of Innovative Banking Micro-Pathway

WARWICK, R.I. – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) celebrated a major workforce development milestone on Thursday, February 5th, as the first cohort of the Banking Micro-Pathway program officially graduated during a ceremony at the Knight Campus.

The event brought together students, their families, and executive leadership from the program’s founding banking partners -- Citizens, Bank of America, BankForward, Washington Trust, BankNewport, and Centreville Bank -- to recognize the achievement of 10 Rhode Islanders who are now equipped to launch careers in the financial services sector.

The Banking Micro-Pathway is a 15-week, part-time hybrid program designed to provide learners with the technical and interpersonal skills required for entry-level roles in the banking industry. The curriculum, which covers workplace communications, financial records, and data management, was built in partnership with Education Design Lab and in collaboration with BankForward, an initiative of the Rhode Island Bankers Association (RIBA) Foundation dedicated to diversifying and strengthening the banking talent pipeline.

"We are incredibly proud to celebrate the first graduates of our Banking Micro-Pathway,” said Dr. Rosemary A. Costigan, President, CCRI. “This moment underscores how CCRI’s employer-driven workforce training model continues to have a meaningful impact on our students and state. Each of these students have worked hard to gain the specialized skills necessary for the banking sector, and I am grateful to our partners and the Rhode Island Bankers Association for helping us create this direct link from credential to employment.”

The program was launched last year in response to a growing demand for skilled professionals in the banking industry. By providing a free, accessible path to industry-recognized credentials, CCRI and its partners are bridging the gap between education and employment.

“Today’s graduates represent exactly what this program was designed to achieve — helping Rhode Islanders build the skills, confidence, and adaptability needed to grow in a financial services industry that is rapidly evolving,” said Keith Kelly, Rhode Island President at Citizens. “As a bank headquartered in Rhode Island, Citizens is proud to support a short-term learning program that not only opens doors to meaningful careers, but also strengthens our local workforce and prepares residents for the opportunities ahead.”

“The CCRI Banking Micro-pathway reflects what workforce development should look like, meeting people where they are and opening doors to opportunity,” said Paola N. Fernandez, Centreville Bank’s Senior Vice President of Community Development. “Celebrating with the first graduating class makes us proud to invest and stand alongside initiatives that prepare the next generation of banking professionals and strengthen our communities.”

"Bank of America is committed to providing access and opportunity to Rhode Island’s emerging workforce,” said Kevin Tracy, President of Bank of America Rhode Island. “Programs like the Banking Micro-Pathway strengthen our local talent pipeline and help residents begin careers in financial services. We value our continued collaboration with CCRI and regional banking leaders through this important initiative.”

The first graduating cohort of the CCRI Banking Micro-Pathway includes:

•  Adelina Dias, Pawtucket
• Ashutosh Talukder, Barrington
• Emely Dilone Cruz, Cranston
• Enrique Gonsalves, Providence
• Kyani Huertas, Providence
• Natacha Maxime, Lincoln
• Nathan Perez, Providence
• Syed Jawad Ali Shah, Providence
• Tasia Liu, South Kingstown
• Yascaira Oliveira, Pawtucket
• 

The Banking Micro-Pathway is made possible through the leadership support of Citizens and Education Design Lab, with additional partnerships from Bank of America, Centreville Bank, Washington Trust, and BankNewport.

For more information about the program, visit CCRI’s Banking Pathway page.