CCRI Leadership Team

Dr. Rosemary Costigan, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Rosemary Costigan is responsible for advancing the college's educational initiatives and providing vision and support in areas of educational policy, institutional planning, program review and faculty development. Costigan is a 1978 graduate of the CCRI nursing program. She returned to teach and lead the Nursing Department prior to assuming the role of vice president for Academic Affairs. Contact Dr. Rosemary Costigan.

Bobby Gondola, Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement and College Relations

Leading the Community College of Rhode Island Foundation, Alumni Affairs and community relations, Gondola advances the Foundation's mission to support CCRI, its students and alumni. Through collaboration with the philanthropic community, he helps strategically grow both the endowment and annual giving campaigns. Gondola brings experience from youth-serving organizations and helped lead education nonprofits in Rhode Island, Philadelphia, Harlem and South Africa. He joined CCRI from Hasbro Inc., where he was director of the company's global philanthropy and social impact department. Gondola has a Bachelor of Arts from Salve Regina University and a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Contact Bobby Gondola.

Greg LaPointe, Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Outcomes Officer

As Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Outcomes Officer, LaPointe is focused on maximizing impact and driving student success initiatives that move the needle on CCRI’s mission. LaPointe began at CCRI in 2017 and has guided the redesign of data systems, implemented student success technologies, and put into practice data-driven enrollment management programs that have boosted student success. Prior to joining the CCRI team, LaPointe served as the Senior Strategy Advisor to the President and Executive Director of Institutional Research and Planning at the University of Maine at Augusta. As a member of the University’s executive leadership team, LaPointe spearheaded organizational effectiveness and the analytical and technology components of the student success strategy. LaPointe has held similar technical and advisory roles at Cambridge College and National University. Contact Greg LaPointe.

Rich Sullivan, Vice President, Administration & Finance

Rich Sullivan serves as the college’s Vice President for Administration and Finance. In this position, he serves as Chief Financial Officer and leads the business and administrative functions of the college, including the Controller’s Office, Human Resources, the Business Office, the Budget Office, Payroll, Purchasing, Physical Plant, and Campus Police. Rich is a proven higher education leader who brings to this position a commitment to transparency and financial integrity that aligns with our strategic plan and mission.

Most recently, Rich served as CFO and Treasurer for Vinfen Corporation, a not-for-profit, community-based health and human services organization, where he oversaw all financial, debt management, IT, and facilities functions. Prior to that, Rich served 14 years as CFO at Curry College, where he was responsible for the oversight of all financial, student financial services, and facilities functions and served as part of the Strategic Enrollment Management and NECHE Accreditation teams. During his tenure at Curry College, he co-managed major capital improvement projects, including the construction of a new student center, three residential halls, and an academic building; managed multiple debt transactions, including five bond issuances; and oversaw the college’s endowment investment strategy. Contact Rich Sullivan.

Jennie Johnson, Vice President, Division of Workforce Partnerships

As Vice President for the Division of Workforce Partnerships, Jennie Johnson will lead workforce development efforts at the college, including developing customized trainings in business and industry, workforce development programs, small business and entrepreneurial programs, adult education, transportation programs, and career services.

For the past 16 years, she has served as Executive Director and Senior Vice President for City Year Providence, where she has been responsible for managing the site’s budget and leading the strategy and execution of the organization’s governmental and external relations, development and fundraising, communications, service and impact, recruitment, training, and evaluation components. Johnson is a proud CCRI and Rhode Island College alumna who earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Psychology. She is also a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program and the American Express Nonprofit Leadership Academy. Contact Jennie Johnson.

Alix Ogden, Special Advisor to the President

Alix Ogden serves as Special Advisor to the President overseeing the college's labor relations and governance system, as well as managing the college’s ongoing COVID operation.  Previously, Alix served as Vice President of Administration and External Relations overseeing Human Resources and Institutional Equity, Facilities and Physical Plant, Campus Police, and Marketing and Communications, in addition to serving as the primary leader in the college’s government and external relations. Prior to joining CCRI, Alix spent 25 years working for elected officials in state and municipal government in Washington state and Rhode Island. Her work locally includes serving as the parks superintendent and director of operations for the city of Providence under then-Mayor David N. Cicilline. Ogden earned her Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington in Seattle and is a graduate of the Roger Williams School of Law. Contact Alix Ogden.

Nathan Brown, Chief Information Officer

With more than three decades of experience in the Information Technology industry, Brown serves as the college's CIO in addition to his role on the college’s senior leadership team, as well as on the President’s Council. Prior to CCRI, Brown worked as an Information Technology Consultant for The Wing, a shared work and community space designed for women, where he helped relaunch spaces heavily impacted by COVID-19. Brown attended Providence Country Day School in East Providence, RI, and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from George Washington University. Contact Nathan Brown.

Ronald A. Cavallaro, General Counsel

Ron Cavallaro serves as general counsel to CCRI. Since 2006, he has also served as general counsel to the Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education. Prior to that time, he was legal counsel for the Department of Labor and Training and worked there in part-time and full-time capacities for just over 20 years. From 1995 to 2009, Cavallaro also was a member of the adjunct faculty at the Southern New England School of Law, now the University of Massachusetts School of Law. Contact Ron Cavallaro.

Sybil Bailey, Director of Institutional Equity and Human Resources

Sybil Bailey serves as the Director of Institutional Equity and Human Resources where she leads the development of an effective recruiting, hiring, and employee retention strategy that champions the importance and value of a diverse and inclusive college environment. Prior to joining CCRI, Bailey served as Director of Human Resources for the City of Providence, a position she held through four different mayoral administrations, evidence of the respect she earned from her colleagues for her professionalism, knowledge, and insight. In her position, she instituted professional policies and standards throughout the city's diverse and complex workforce. Bailey is active in her community, previously serving on the United Way Personnel Committee, Neighborhood Health Personnel Committee, and Board of Directors for Day One. Contact Sybil Bailey.

Andrea Ray, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Organizational Development

As the Director of DEI and Organizational Development, Ray will work collaboratively with internal and external audiences to develop an open, diverse, inclusive, and supportive learning and working environment with a specific focus on underrepresented and marginalized populations. Prior to CCRI, Ray spent eight years as the Senior Human Resources Business Partner for CVS MinuteClinic, where she led the company’s diversity efforts, including creating its first Diversity Leadership Team at MinuteClinic, and managed the company’s review process by identifying and preparing top performing and high potential leaders for strategic development and professional growth. A highly-effective DEI and HR leader, Ray boasts a BBA in Business Law and an MBA in Human Resources in addition to nearly two decades of experience in the workforce. Contact Andrea Ray.

Madeline Burke, Director of Academic Success and Community Partnerships, Liston Campus Leader

Madeline Burke serves as Director of Academic Success and Community Partnerships. As the college’s liaison with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and other community-based partners, Burke oversees student academic success and early college initiatives. She recently developed a new dual enrollment program for Providence high school seniors with a focus on equitable outcomes by providing a pathway to post-secondary success for students who would not normally be eligible for early college opportunities. Burke also serves on CCRI’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, working to build a more diverse and inclusive CCRI. This group meets regularly to develop ways that CCRI employees can be more culturally competent and educated in DEI issues and creative solutions to help us all better serve our communities. Prior to joining CCRI, Burke she spent more than 10 years at Year Up, most recently as Director of Program, where she oversaw multiple teams focused on academics, internship services, and employment placement. Contact Madeline Burke.

Amy Kempe, Executive Director, Marketing, Communications & External Affairs, Newport County Campus Leader

As Executive Director of Marketing, Communications & External Affairs, Kempe leads the effort to develop the long-term marketing and communication vision for CCRI’s brand, including the planning, development, and implementation of all CCRI’s advertising, marketing and communication strategies. In addition, Kempe leads the college's government relations and external affairs, as well as serves as the Newport County Campus leader. Kempe previously served as Director of Communications and Public Information Officer for former Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and as Director of Communications for former Governor Donald Carcieri. Contact Amy Kempe.

Deb Zielinski, Assistant to the President

As assistant to President Hughes, Deb Zielinski is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the President’s Office at the multi-campus community college. Beyond her administrative role, she serves as the president’s liaison to the college community, plans major college events, serves on various college committees, and is a resource for faculty, staff, students and the general public. Contact Deb Zielinski.