POSTSECONDARY SCHOOLS
AND UNIVERSITIES
Paul Mitchell The School Rhode Island
CJ Rebecky, Director
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: The biggest challenge for us was that our
school and curriculum is very hands-on. We switched to distance
education once COVID-19 hit and digital learning is not for
everyone.
THE WORKAROUND: We completely transferred our curriculum
into a digital version that we executed using Google Classroom
and Zoom.
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: Our attendance overall rose a significant
amount. Students said they felt comfortable showing up to virtual
classes. Also, we held digital graduation ceremonies (once the
students clocked their twelve-hundredth hour).
LOOKING AHEAD: We have now taken on a hybrid schedule that
allows us to provide classes in the brick and mortar school half
the time and then for the other half we will continue distance
education. It’s a perfect blend. In addition to the hybrid schedule,
we will implement an in-the-building/out-of-the-building student
rotation and thoroughly train everyone even more on sanitation
and disinfection practices. Also, all students are in pods
that are separated for social distancing purposes.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW: Besides our cosmetology program, we will be
launching our new nail tech and cosmetology instructor programs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: paulmitchell.edu
experience to serve our students well as they move to the next
phase of their college careers.
THE WORKAROUNDS: Once our academic programs were established
in a remote format, we recognized the importance of creating
a virtual campus community to keep our students informed
and engaged. Senior university staff committed time and effort to
formulate multiple channels for communicating with students
and faculty. As a result, people felt more secure in the knowledge
of what to expect next, more fulfilled by keeping in touch with
classmates and entertained by virtual recreational activities.
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: New England Tech faculty are very dedicated
to the success of our students and to our surrounding communities.
When all spring quarter classes, including hands-on labs,
had to be taught remotely due to the pandemic, our faculty’s creativity
came into play. As an example, one of our professors prepared
“care packages” for our quarter one electrical students so they could
complete various hands-on lessons at home. Tools and residential
electrical materials such as wire, boxes, switches and outlets were
URI Feinstein College of Education
and Professional Studies
Jane Fusco, Director of Marketing,
Media and Communications
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Teacher candidates completing student
teacher requirements through distance learning.
THE WORKAROUNDS: New lesson plans for distance learning.
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: We were able to hold a virtual graduation
ceremony where we included submissions from students who
could give shout-outs and special thanks to professors, staff and
friends.
LOOKING AHEAD: We will enact a combination of in-person and
virtual classroom instruction. A full breakdown can be found on
URI’s website.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW: The college is offering a new BS degree in nonprofit
administration (the first bachelor’s of its kind in Rhode Island)
and a new BS degree in professional leadership studies.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: uri.edu
New England Institute of Technology
Alan Resnick, Vice President for Strategic Planning
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: From the initial onset of COVID-19, our
highest priority goal was to assure the safety of our students, faculty
and staff to the greatest extent possible. Our next goal was to
provide the highest quality academic experience throughout the
duration of the COVID-19 crisis. New England Tech is well-known
for its technically robust hands-on academic experience. We
extended the time between the winter and spring quarters to give
our faculty enough time to create an effective remote academic
112 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l SEPTEMBER 2020