2025 -- H 6278

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LC002463

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL 29TH OF 2025, TO BE "COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE

ISLAND DAY" AND HONORING THE COLLEGE'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Noret, DeSimone,
Bennett, Cruz, Cortvriend, Roberts, and Sanchez

     Date Introduced: April 29, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) was founded in 1964 as

Rhode Island Junior College, providing a gateway to higher education for all Rhode Islanders.

The college welcomed its first class of 325 students at the Henry Barnard School in Providence.

By 1965, a section of the former Brown & Sharpe building was used for additional classroom

space and served as the primary facility until 1972; and

     WHEREAS, As the state’s demand for accessible public higher education grew, so did

CCRI. In 1972, the Knight Campus in Warwick—built on land donated by the Knight Family—

became the college’s flagship campus and first permanent home. The Flanagan Campus in

Lincoln opened in 1976, followed by the Liston Campus in Providence in 1990, and the Newport

County Campus in 2006, ensuring that all Rhode Islanders have access to quality education close

to home; and

     WHEREAS, CCRI is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024-2025 with the theme

“Empowering Minds and Transforming Communities in Rhode Island since 1964,” recognizing

six decades of excellence in education, workforce development, and student success. The college

has grown to serve more than 40,000 Rhode Islanders annually and has an alumni network

exceeding 80,000 graduates; and

     WHEREAS, As Rhode Island’s only public community college, CCRI offers more than

90 academic degree and certificate programs across a wide range of disciplines. Among its most

popular academic programs are Nursing, Business Administration, Cybersecurity, Computer

Science, Criminal Justice, and the Liberal Arts; and

     WHEREAS, CCRI has become the leading provider of skilled trades and technical

training in the state, serving as the primary training partner for General Dynamics Electric Boat,

where more than 6,000 Rhode Islanders have been trained for careers in the maritime industry.

The college is also home to the only Global Wind Organization Basic Safety Training Center in

Rhode Island, training workers to support the state’s offshore wind energy sector; and

     WHEREAS, Due to CCRI’s commitment to workforce development, it has been

recognized as New England’s only Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce

Training and Education by U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration

(MARAD), and is one of only 17 community colleges nationwide designated as an Industrial

Assessment Center by the U.S. Department of Energy; and

     WHEREAS, With a strong focus on innovation and student success, CCRI has become a

leader in expanding college access. The college is the largest provider of full- and part-time early

college programs in Rhode Island, with participation in High School Enrichment, Running Start,

and Accelerate more than doubling since 2016. Additionally, CCRI’s P-TECH (Pathways in

Technology Early College High School) program has allowed students to graduate from CCRI

before earning their high school diplomas; and

     WHEREAS, In recognition of its commitment to equity and student success, CCRI

earned the designation of Hispanic-Serving Institution in 2022, reflecting its growing role in

serving a diverse student body; and

     WHEREAS, Under the outstanding leadership of Interim President Dr. Rosemary

Costigan, the first CCRI alumna to lead the college, CCRI continues to provide Rhode Islanders

with an affordable, high-quality education that leads to strong learning outcomes, successful

degree attainment, and meaningful careers; and

     WHEREAS, As the college embarks on its seventh decade, CCRI remains steadfast in its

mission to transform lives and strengthen communities through accessible, high-quality

education, ensuring that Rhode Islanders continue to have pathways to socio-economic mobility

and success; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims April 29th of 2025, to be "Community College of Rhode Island Day" in the State of

Rhode Island, in recognition of CCRI’s 60 years of excellence in education and workforce

development; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this Resolution to Dr. Rosemary Costigan, Interim President,

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Community College of Rhode Island.

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