2024 Business Women Awards
INDUSTRY LEADER | EDUCATION: Rosemary A. Costigan
Community College of Rhode Island interim president
A RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE and first-generation college student, Rosemary A. Costigan entered Rhode Island Junior College, now known as the Community College of Rhode Island, in the fall of 1976 to pursue a degree in nursing.
Little did Costigan know of the lifelong relationship she was embarking upon with the state community college, even though she first pursued a career in health care.
After graduating with an associate degree in nursing, Costigan landed her first job as a registered nurse at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island in Pawtucket, where she worked for more than 20 years. Costigan says in that role she had the opportunity to work with nursing students and recent graduates, something she enjoyed very much. She also engaged with former faculty members who urged her to consider a career move into teaching.
The encouragement and the support of colleagues and family prompted Costigan to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Rhode Island College, and later a master’s degree and doctorate in nursing from the University of Rhode Island.
And Costigan eventually found her way home. Today, Costigan serves as CCRI’s interim president, the first alumnus to do so. It’s a role she accepted last fall – one she might never have envisioned long ago but one for which she is a natural fit.
“I have always remained connected to CCRI, whether through working with faculty and students in my role as a staff nurse or through teaching and training as a faculty member and administrator,” Costigan said. “Returning to CCRI felt like coming home.”
The past year has been a busy one for Costigan at CCRI. She has focused on three areas: closing equity gaps, expanding early college offerings and working with CCRI’s employer partners throughout the state to meet the workforce needs of Rhode Island.
She says while the college has made strides in improving its two- and three-year graduation rates, gaps in graduation rates between Black and brown students remain.
“Closing equity gaps is critical to providing every Rhode Islander with the opportunity to move forward socially and economically,” Costigan said.
Costigan says CCRI is proud of the diversity of its student body, and the college was recently designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Also, supporting workforce development remains an important duty of all community colleges, including CCRI, she says.
In addition to working with the health care industry, the college has partnered with General Dynamics Electric Boat to train more than 5,000 workers and is also getting involved in the rapidly growing offshore wind industry, most recently launching the state’s first Global Wind Organization-certified training facility at its Lincoln campus. Working with Eversource Energy, Orsted A/S and Boston Energy, CCRI has graduated nearly 50 skilled and fully certified workers.
Costigan says CCRI is also looking to expand upon its apprenticeship opportunities. Beginning in September, 90% of CCRI’s academic programs will have a work-based learning component that will allow students to go out into the field and observe, make connections and network.
Amy Kempe, Costigan’s chief of staff, says it is truly rare and special to have someone so deeply connected to the college have the opportunity to lead it. She says Costigan’s leadership is characterized by authenticity, courage and transparency.
“Her unwavering dedication to CCRI and her exceptional leadership have made a profound impact on the college and its community,” Kempe said. “Rosemary inspires people every day. She inspires me. I learn every day from her experiences and her leadership style. Her contributions to higher education in Rhode Island are truly deserving of recognition.”
Costigan remains focused on doing the best job she can in support of CCRI’s students, faculty and staff, including removing the barriers to higher education attainment for every Rhode Islander.
“CCRI is unique in that we meet all students where they are and assist them in reaching their academic and career goals, whether it be in the classroom or through technical training,” Costigan said.
