HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING APRIL 16, 2026, TO BE "COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

H8459

2026 -- H 8459
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LC004549
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING APRIL 16, 2026, TO BE "COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND
DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Noret, Chippendale,
Paplauskas, Cortvriend, Diaz, Bennett, Felix, and Voas

Date Introduced:
April 16, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), established in 1964, is
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the state’s only public community college and serves as a cornerstone of Rhode Island’s higher
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education and workforce development system; and
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WHEREAS, CCRI provides accessible, affordable, and high-quality education to tens of
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thousands of Rhode Islanders each year, creating pathways to academic achievement, career
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advancement, and lifelong opportunity; and
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WHEREAS, CCRI is a community of thinkers, doers, and achievers—empowering
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students to learn, work, and lead in ways that strengthen their communities and contribute to the
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state’s economic vitality; and
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WHEREAS, Under the leadership of President Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN, who
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was appointed as the college’s sixth president on June 18, 2025, and is the first alumna in the
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institution’s history to serve in this role, CCRI continues to advance its mission with a deep
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commitment to student success, workforce alignment, and institutional excellence; and
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WHEREAS, CCRI has implemented innovative, student-centered strategies to improve
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outcomes, including guided pathways, expanded year-round learning opportunities, enhanced
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academic advising, and data-informed supports that help students stay on track and graduate; and
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WHEREAS, These efforts have resulted in improved retention and graduation outcomes,
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demonstrating CCRI’s commitment not only to access, but to completion and meaningful
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postsecondary success; and

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WHEREAS, CCRI serves as Rhode Island’s primary engine for workforce development,
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delivering high-quality education and training aligned with employer needs across critical sectors
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including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, construction trades, information technology, and
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emerging industries; and
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WHEREAS, Through strong partnerships with employers, industry leaders, and
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organized labor, CCRI develops and delivers workforce programs, short-term credentials, and
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apprenticeship pathways that prepare Rhode Islanders for in-demand, family-sustaining careers;
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and
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WHEREAS, CCRI plays a vital role in strengthening Rhode Island’s talent pipeline,
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ensuring that employers have access to a skilled workforce and that residents have access to
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economic opportunity and upward mobility; and
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WHEREAS, CCRI provides seamless and affordable transfer pathways to four-year
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institutions, enabling students to continue their education and achieve higher levels of attainment
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while minimizing cost and expanding opportunity; and
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WHEREAS, CCRI continues to position itself to meet the needs of future generations
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through forward-looking investments in modern training environments, expanded capacity in
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high-demand fields, and a continued commitment to innovation in teaching, learning, and
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workforce preparation; and
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WHEREAS, CCRI’s impact on Rhode Island’s economy is significant and measurable,
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contributing nearly $900 million annually and supporting more than 11,000 jobs across the
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state—approximately one in every sixty jobs; and
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WHEREAS, CCRI delivers exceptional value for students and the state, consistently
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ranking number one among Rhode Island colleges for return on investment at the ten-year
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horizon, with graduates entering the workforce quickly, earning strong wages, and carrying
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minimal debt; and
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WHEREAS, These outcomes reflect CCRI’s essential role in strengthening families,
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supporting employers, and advancing long-term economic growth and competitiveness for the
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State of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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proclaims April 16, 2026, to be “Community College of Rhode Island Day”; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the President of the Community College of
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Rhode Island.
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