College Visions, a Rhode Island-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering first-generation, low-income students, is expanding its College Visions Summer Prep program to the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Newport County Campus this summer. The five-week intensive program kicks off on Tuesday, July 7, and will run through August 6, 2026.

This year, the Newport program will serve a cohort of 25 rising 9th- through 12th-grade students from Newport and Middletown. The initiative offers a comprehensive college and career exploration experience that includes project-based learning, college visits, field trips to career partners, interview skills training, resume development, and hands-on help drafting college essays.

To provide an authentic higher education experience, the program will feature a CCRI professor who will teach a specialized class, allowing students to get a true feel for the college classroom environment.

“We are delighted to partner with College Visions to bring this exceptional program to CCRI’s Newport Campus,” said CCRI President Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN. “By giving students the opportunity to experience college life, explore future careers, and build confidence in their abilities, we are helping them see what is possible for their future. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to expanding opportunity and supporting the success of Newport County’s youth.”

For over 20 years, College Visions has provided transformative, long-term support to first-generation students, guiding them from initial college research and applications all the way through to degree completion. The organization boasts a 100% college enrollment rate among its core program scholars, with over 70% graduating within six years. While roughly two-thirds of their students attend college in Rhode Island, others matriculate at institutions across the country.

“College Visions is committed to expanding access to higher education for students in underserved communities throughout Rhode Island,” said executive director Lamont Gordon. “We’re thrilled to bring our program to Newport and to partner with CCRI to expose first-generation students to post-secondary college and career pathways.”

The CV Summer Prep program differs slightly from the organization's traditional school-year access programming. While the core program serves students who have already committed to pursuing higher education, the summer program engages younger students -- starting as early as the ninth grade -- who are still exploring whether college is the right path for them.

College Visions initially launched its summer program in 2019 in partnership with the Providence Public School Department. Following its success, the organization expanded the program to Woonsocket in 2023, making Newport the third Rhode Island community to host the initiative.

For more information about College Visions and the CV Summer Prep program, visit collegevisions.org/cvsummerprep.

About College Visions
College Visions (CV) empowers first-generation students from underserved communities to achieve the promise of higher education and become the next generation of leaders. Founded in 2004 with 10 students in Providence, CV has become one of Rhode Island's most comprehensive college success programs, serving more than 550 students annually through individualized support from high school through degree completion and the college-to-career transition. For more information, visit collegevisions.org.