Rhode Island Promise - Providence Business News

MEGHAN L. HUGHES will step down as president of the Community College of Rhode Island on Aug. 31. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Hughes stepping down as CCRI president on Aug. 31

Education 03/16/2023

WARWICK – After more than seven years at the helm, the president of the state’s community college will step away. Meghan L. Hughes, who has...

UNWELCOME FEELING: Erik Christiansen, Rhode Island College history professor and faculty union president, says the college has undergone changes in the last decade, not all for the better. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

SCHOOL DAZE: RIC searches for identity amid severe enrollment drop

Cover Story 01/20/2023

Erik Christiansen didn’t know much about Rhode Island College when he agreed to take a job teaching history there in 2010. The Maryland native quickly...

NEW INCENTIVE: Rhode Island College interim President Jack Warner wants state lawmakers to approve a scholarship to cover two years of tuition for students who enroll directly out of high school.  PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

Give RIC scholarship to help lure students

Editorial and Op-Ed 01/20/2023

A 33% decline in enrollment at Rhode Island College over the last decade should be sounding alarm bells on campus and at the Statehouse. The...

BARBARA S. COTTAM will step down on Oct. 6 from her role as chairperson of the R.I. Board of Education to take on a new role with the U.S. Department of Commerce. / PBN FILE PHOTO/STEPHANIE ALVAREZ EWENS

R.I. education board chairperson to step down, takes new role with...

Education 09/30/2022

PROVIDENCE – The state’s education board chairperson will soon be heading to the nation’s capital to work with Rhode Island’s former governor. In a Sept....

HELENA B. FOULKES announced Wednesday in a new campaign ad that, if elected this year, she won't seek re-election if student performance across Rhode Island doesn't improve in four years. /PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Foulkes vows to improve student performance across state if elected

Education 06/08/2022

PROVIDENCE – In a unique campaign announcement Wednesday, former CVS Health Corp. executive and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena B. Foulkes said, if elected, she...

GOV. DANIEL J. MCKEE, center, on Friday signed into law legislation that eliminates the sunset provision of the Rhode Island Promise program at the Community College of Rhode Island. / COURTESY OFFICE OF GOV. DANIEL J. MCKEE

McKee signs law to make R.I. Promise program permanent

Education 05/28/2021

WARWICK – With a few strokes of a pen, Gov. Daniel J. McKee has now made the state’s Rhode Island Promise program at the...

Five Questions With: Shannon Gilkey

5Q 04/30/2021

Shannon Gilkey | Commissioner on postsecondary education 1. As the new higher-ed chief, what is your vision for at Rhode Island College and Community...

EARNING A SHOT: Talia Thibodeau, a standout basketball player in high school, worried how she would pay for college after she graduated but is working toward an associate degree tuition-free from the Community College of Rhode Island thanks to the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Will R.I. Promise last after Raimondo leaves?

Education 02/05/2021

Talia Thibodeau faced an uncertain future as she prepared to graduate from Cranston High School West last June. Thibodeau, a standout basketball player, wanted to...

GOV. GINA M. RAIMONDO signs the fiscal 2021 state budget on Monday. / COURTESY R.I. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

Gov. Raimondo signs fiscal 2021 budget

Coronavirus 12/21/2020

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo signed the $12.7 billion fiscal 2021 state budget Monday, and issued a short statement that reflected its continued...