Empowering minds and transforming communities in Rhode Island since 1964 .
SPONSORED CONTENT
1964
Empowering minds and transforming communities in Rhode Island since 1964 .
Since opening its doors for the first time on September 24 , 1964 , the Community College of Rhode Island has created a strong foundation as the state ’ s only comprehensive associate degreegranting institution serving all Rhode Islanders with an affordable , high-quality education .
Sixty years later , CCRI continues to meet the wide-ranging educational needs of our diverse student population with more than 90 degree programs and seamless transfer opportunities . CCRI enrolls nearly 18,000 students in credit-bearing degree and certificate programs and an additional 8,500 in workforce development programs and adult education courses annually , providing flexibility with online , hybrid , and in-person options at our four campuses throughout the state .
The college remains an economic powerhouse in the state of Rhode Island , adding $ 889.6 million in income to the state ’ s economy while supporting approximately 11,049 jobs during the last fiscal year .
Join us as we celebrate six decades of empowering minds and transforming communities in Rhode Island .
1964
Classes begin for the first time at the Rhode Island Junior College ’ s temporary Providence campus .
1980
The Rhode Island Board of Regents for Education approves a change in the college ’ s name from Rhode Island Junior College to Community College of Rhode Island .
2016
CCRI ’ s Division of Workforce Partnerships launches a collaboration with General Dynamics Electric Boat offering workforce development classes , college-level courses , and specialty technical training to Electric Boat employees at the Westerly Education Center .
1972
The Knight Campus opens in Warwick on 80 acres of property donated by Royal W . Knight . Additional campuses opened in Lincoln ( 1976 ), Providence ( 1990 ), and Newport ( 2006 ).
1981
CCRI launches telecourses , which marks the college ’ s foray into the modern-day technology all colleges utilize with online and hybrid course offerings . To date , CCRI offers 30 % of its course sections online with 34 % of its students enrolled in at least one online course .
FACTOIDS
• In 2023 , CCRI was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution for the first time in its history . This designation is reserved for colleges and universities with a student population that is at least 25 % Hispanic .
• CCRI continues to fuel a well-trained pipeline of healthcare workers while addressing the state ’ s workforce needs by increasing its enrollment capacity and providing an immediate influx of nursing professionals into the state ’ s hospital settings . CCRI nursing graduates also boast a 100 % job placement rate , making CCRI the state ’ s leader in nursing training .
• In 2019 , CCRI was named the nation ’ s “ 2-Year College of the Year ” by Education Dive : Higher Ed , a leading industry news publisher .
2023
Class of 1978 graduate Dr . Rosemary A . Costigan begins tenure as CCRI ’ s Interim President , becoming the first alumnus to serve in that capacity .
2024
2017
CCRI enrolls its first cohort of Rhode Island Promise scholarship students . The scholarship offers two years of free tuition to Rhode Island high school students upon graduation , an investment in education that has provided educational opportunities for thousands of Rhode Islanders .
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