WARWICK, R.I. — The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly celebrates alumnus Dr. Justin Bibee, a 2009 graduate and Cranston, RI native, who has been named to the National Peace Corps Association’s 2025 “40 Under 40” list, recognizing the next generation of leaders who are reimagining American leadership through service, spirit, and solutions.

Dr. Bibee has dedicated his life to advancing human rights and supporting refugees, both locally and internationally. The Peace Corps Association commended his tireless work “at the crossroads of refugee resettlement, cultural preservation, and human rights,” calling him a bridge-builder who is shaping a world “where belonging is not a privilege, but a right.”

Currently the Assistant Director of Refugee Resettlement at Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, Dr. Bibee plays a vital role in helping displaced individuals and families rebuild their lives with dignity. His efforts include organizing housing, employment, education, and health care support while fostering cultural understanding through community events and public engagement.

“Dr. Bibee is an extraordinary example of the power of a CCRI education,” said CCRI President Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN. “We are incredibly proud that Justin’s journey began at CCRI, and we are honored to call him one of our own.”

In addition to his resettlement work, Dr. Bibee curates The Justin Bibee Collection, a traveling exhibition of tribal and ethnographic art from around the world. Through his exhibitions, he amplifies indigenous and diasporic voices while promoting cultural appreciation and understanding.

A Returned Peace Corps Volunteer fluent in Darija, Dr. Bibee served in Morocco from 2014–2016. In 2017, he joined the United Nations in Tanzania, where he worked with multiple refugee camps. He currently is a 2024 Global Fellow at Brown University’s Center for Human Rights & Humanities Studies and earlier this year received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Rhode Island College, becoming the second youngest recipient of the award in the college’s history.

Reflecting on the impact of his time at CCRI, Dr. Bibee said, “CCRI gave me the foundation and confidence to believe in what’s possible. It was here that I first saw the value of education as a tool for justice and global service. I carry that lesson with me every day.”

In 2024, Dr. Bibee also was inducted into CCRI’s Society of Knights and Squires as one of nine honorees recognized by the CCRI Foundation and Alumni Association for outstanding achievement.