WARWICK, R.I. -- Samantha (Sam) Sgourakes recently became CCRI's new Director of Career Services and Experiential Education.

She has over 10 years of experience advancing education and workforce equity, most recently serving as the Work-Based Learning Manager in Career Services at CCRI. In that role, she partnered with faculty and industry leaders to integrate work-based learning best practices into curriculum and classroom experiences. Prior to joining CCRI, Sam worked primarily in the nonprofit sector, leading higher education access and career development programs across organizations in Colorado and Washington, D.C.

Knight Knowledge sat down with Sam to learn more about her background and what she wants to achieve in her new role.

Knight Knowledge: "In your experience prior to coming to CCRI, what prepared you for your role as Director?"

Sgourakes: "Prior to CCRI, my career focused on nonprofit leadership centered on equitable college and career access, program development, and cross-sector partnership building. In my most recent roles, I worked alongside community colleges, universities, and industry partners to better support first-generation and parenting college students across Colorado and the Mid-Atlantic region. That work strengthened my longstanding commitment to addressing systemic barriers and continues to shape how we expand access to meaningful, career-connected opportunities for all our students."

Knight Knowledge: "What was the focus of the two years you spent in your first role at CCRI, as Work-Based Learning Manager?"

Sgourakes: "Work-based learning (WBL) at CCRI is both an institutional commitment and a collaborative effort. As part of our Guided Pathways integration, CCRI committed to embedding WBL experiences within every degree program so students can engage in experiential learning, develop skills, and grow social capital as part of their CCRI experience. When I joined CCRI, I inherited a strong foundation built by former Career Services staff and many champions across the College. Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with faculty, staff, and employer partners to pilot, scale, and bring greater structure to this work."

Knight Knowledge: "What have you learned about our students and faculty since working at CCRI?"

Sgourakes: "Having partnered cross-departmentally with so many faculty and staff deeply committed to our students, my work in WBL has given me a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes care, coordination, and advocacy that shape our students’ experiences. I am continually inspired by colleagues who move mountains to mentor and guide our students, and by students who bring resilience, ambition, and an incredible range of talent and lived experience to our community."

Knight Knowledge: "What are you looking forward to in your position as Director?"

Sgourakes: "The Career Services team is composed of passionate experts in this space, and it continues to be a joy to learn with and from them as we scale, refine, and get creative in our work. I’m especially looking forward to deepening our strong partnerships across CCRI and with employers so that more students can access meaningful, integrated, career experiences as part of their CCRI journey."

Knight Knowledge: "What priorities will guide Career Services in the near future?"

Sgourakes: "As higher education and workforce needs continue to evolve, our priority is to stay agile and responsive while ensuring faculty feel supported and students continue to receive high-quality career services. We remain focused on keeping career education and experiential learning integrated and scalable, while building on existing partnerships and structures to expand rigorous WBL experiences. At the same time, we look forward to contributing to regional and national conversations about experiential education and career services best practices."