WARWICK, R.I. – Keily Avila understands the incredible value of studying at the Community College of Rhode Island. The Providence native is pursuing a degree in computer science, receiving free tuition through the Rhode Island Promise scholarship, and planning to transfer to a four-year institution through CCRI’s Joint Admissions Agreement (JAA) program.

So, it was no surprise to see Avila elected as the school’s new student government president, a job she’ll hold throughout her final year at CCRI.

Avila, 19, considered taking a gap year before enrolling at CCRI in 2024. But thanks to the RI Promise program, she found her academic path and isn’t looking back.

“I can’t begin to describe in words how valuable it’s been, considering I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for this program,” Avila recently told CCRI News. “I was originally planning on taking a gap year because I was so confused and overwhelmed with the idea of not only how embarrassing I believed it would be to apply to my dream school and not get in, but also because I didn’t want to get into my dream school just to go into debt.

“Because of the Promise scholarship, I was able to take the CCRI route and actually build confidence in knowing that I have time to think and decide what I want to do with my life.”

With a full year at CCRI under her belt, Avila now knows what she wants to accomplish in the years ahead, including imparting her wisdom on those who might follow a similar path.

“My goals for the future are to transfer to a four-year institution where I’ll eventually obtain my bachelor's degree and become a web developer,” she said. “I hope to one day be able to create a website that helps community college students navigate the process of transferring to a four-year university seamlessly. Additionally, I want to be able to create a platform for young girls who are interested in STEM to have a space for them to create and explore their ideas, and to see that people like software engineers and physicists can also be strong, independent women.”

As student government president, Avila will serve as the voice of the students while working with CCRI leaders to enact meaningful change.

“I’m hoping to get more students engaged in campus life, because although I know this is a commuter college, I believe that everyone should feel like they belong at their institution and see this as a place where they go to have fun,” said Avila, who also communicated her vision while speaking last month at the Opening Day convocation.

“I’m also hoping to help students become aware of the resources that this school has to offer. Many students aren’t aware of the free tutoring/writing center that we have, or of the JAA program. My priorities are always the students. I want every student at CCRI to feel that this is their safe space and that we have their back.”

Avila is looking forward to working with students and her cabinet, which will be filled out in the coming weeks. She also is thrilled to collaborate with President Rosemary Costigan, herself a CCRI alumna and a lifetime Rhode Islander.

“I’m excited to be able to work with President Costigan,” Avila said. “I believe that because our experiences look very similar to those who attend the college, we will be able to be the voice of the people and set an example to those who come after us. Once what was thought of as impossible becomes possible, there is nothing holding the student body back.”

Avila has a lot of work to do, but she’s motivated to make the most of her tenure as student government president.

“To me, a successful year as a student president is having the students acknowledge that we brought a real, positive change to the campus,” Avila said. “Whether that’s through engagement events or the students feeling like their voices have been heard more than ever before – that will have been a successful year for me.”