WARWICK, R.I. – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is putting cutting-edge tools directly in the hands of students through a new iPad pilot program, signaling a bold step in leveraging technology to drive student success.

This week, approximately 50 students in CCRI’s Advantage Program, a free, intensive and immersive initiative that helps students complete developmental coursework in seven weeks, received brand-new iPads, keyboards, and Apple Pencils as part of the college’s first technology-integrated learning pilot. In addition, the students’ course materials are fully loaded onto the iPad, ensuring students have access to the coursework on day one.

The rollout, supported by the previously announced $2 million anonymous gift to launch CCRI’s Advantage program, also included hands-on training led by Apple, ensuring students are ready to maximize their new devices for notetaking, academic writing, research, and collaboration. Each iPad includes a built-in cellular connection, eliminating one of the most persistent barriers to success for community college students: reliable internet access.

For many students, that access extends beyond their own academic need. Equipped with fully connected iPads, they can now support their families at home, whether helping siblings with schoolwork, connecting with community resources, or ensuring household access to vital online services.

 “At CCRI, we are committed to breaking down barriers to student success, and access to technology is a critical part of that mission,” said Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN, President of CCRI. “By providing iPads, training, and reliable internet access, we are closing the digital divides while equipping our students with the tools they need to focus on learning and reaching their academic goals.”

CCRI Advantage, one of CCRI’s most innovative academic pathways, compresses what can take multiple semesters of developmental math or English into a single, intensive seven weeks. The program includes embedded tutors and specialized academic coaches to ensure students stay on track.

By layering technology into this model, CCRI aims to help students develop digital literacy skills, boost retention and completion, and increase student satisfaction. The iPad pilot marks the first phase of what CCRI hopes will be a broader effort to scale technology-enabled learning across all academic and workforce programs.