Proclaiming April 16, 2026, to Be "Community College of Rhode Island Day" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), established in 1964, is the state’s only public community college and serves as a cornerstone of Rhode Island’s higher education and workforce development system; and

WHEREAS, CCRI provides accessible, affordable, and high-quality education to tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders each year, creating pathways to academic achievement, career advancement, and lifelong opportunity; and

WHEREAS, CCRI is a community of thinkers, doers, and achievers—empowering students to learn, work, and lead in ways that strengthen their communities and contribute to the state’s economic vitality; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of President Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN, who was appointed as the college’s sixth president on June 18, 2025, and is the first alumna in the institution’s history to serve in this role, CCRI continues to advance its mission with a deep commitment to student success, workforce alignment, and institutional excellence; and

WHEREAS, CCRI has implemented innovative, student-centered strategies to improve outcomes, including guided pathways, expanded year-round learning opportunities, enhanced academic advising, and data-informed supports that help students stay on track and graduate; and

WHEREAS, These efforts have resulted in improved retention and graduation outcomes, demonstrating CCRI’s commitment not only to access, but to completion and meaningful postsecondary success; and

WHEREAS, CCRI serves as Rhode Island’s primary engine for workforce development, delivering high-quality education and training aligned with employer needs across critical sectors including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, construction trades, information technology, and emerging industries; and

WHEREAS, Through strong partnerships with employers, industry leaders, and organized labor, CCRI develops and delivers workforce programs, short-term credentials, and apprenticeship pathways that prepare Rhode Islanders for in-demand, family-sustaining careers; and

WHEREAS, CCRI plays a vital role in strengthening Rhode Island’s talent pipeline, ensuring that employers have access to a skilled workforce and that residents have access to economic opportunity and upward mobility; and

WHEREAS, CCRI provides seamless and affordable transfer pathways to four-year institutions, enabling students to continue their education and achieve higher levels of attainment while minimizing cost and expanding opportunity; and

WHEREAS, CCRI continues to position itself to meet the needs of future generations through forward-looking investments in modern training environments, expanded capacity in high-demand fields, and a continued commitment to innovation in teaching, learning, and workforce preparation; and

WHEREAS, CCRI’s impact on Rhode Island’s economy is significant and measurable, contributing nearly $900 million annually and supporting more than 11,000 jobs across the state—approximately one in every sixty jobs; and

WHEREAS, CCRI delivers exceptional value for students and the state, consistently ranking number one among Rhode Island colleges for return on investment at the ten-year horizon, with graduates entering the workforce quickly, earning strong wages, and carrying minimal debt; and

WHEREAS, These outcomes reflect CCRI’s essential role in strengthening families, supporting employers, and advancing long-term economic growth and competitiveness for the State of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims April 16, 2026, to be “Community College of Rhode Island Day”; 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 the President of the Community College of Rhode Island.