EDITORIAL

A legacy of achievement at CCRI

Posted 2/2/16

When Ray Di Pasquale started work as the Community College of Rhode Island’s president in 2006, he faced a number of challenges.

Dissatisfaction levels among faculty had been high, with a vote …

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EDITORIAL

A legacy of achievement at CCRI

Posted

When Ray Di Pasquale started work as the Community College of Rhode Island’s president in 2006, he faced a number of challenges.

Dissatisfaction levels among faculty had been high, with a vote of no confidence having been taken in the prior president. The college faced a significant financial shortfall, along with declining enrollment.

The years since have seen a significant turnaround at CCRI, one Di Pasquale – who was recruited from the State University of New York’s College at Brockport by Jack Warner, former commissioner of the Board of Governors for Higher Education – has been credited with leading.

Di Pasquale has been an excellent ambassador for CCRI and demonstrated a strong recognition of the important role it plays for so many in the Ocean State. He has built strong bonds with civic, academic and business leaders, and focused on instituting programming designed to help meet the state’s workforce needs.

Enrollment during Di Pasquale’s tenure rose to some of its highest levels ever, with more than 18,000 students. CCRI earned a 10-year accreditation, and marked its 50th anniversary in 2015. The president oversaw a celebration that honored the last half-century and put into context the college’s place in Rhode Island.

A capital campaign under Di Pasquale raised millions to improve campus facilities, including libraries, laboratories, art studios, and the Bobby Hackett Theater. He oversaw a major student union improvement project, which included the opening of new offices for CCRI’s student newspaper, The Unfiltered Lens.

Diversity at CCRI has also grown under Di Pasquale’s leadership. The college includes students from roughly 100 countries, and representation of minority communities has grown.

Di Pasquale’s tenure has not been without some controversy. For a time, he assumed the dual role of interim commissioner of higher education for the state, and received a significant salary increase – one he kept even after giving up the second position, and which is markedly higher than the average salary for such jobs nationwide. Questions and criticism from some students and community voices followed.

In 2014, he became a finalist for the role of commissioner of higher education in Louisiana, but eventually withdrew his candidacy for that post. It was the first indication the college’s president was looking to move on, and he announced following last year’s graduation ceremony he would not seek renewal of his contract.

Di Pasquale has, undeniably, left an enormously positive legacy at CCRI and in Rhode Island as a whole. Providing an affordable, accessible means through which members of our communities may pursue higher learning and acquire new skills is vital to our shared prosperity and future, and Di Pasquale’s efforts have done much to strengthen that mission.

Meghan Hughes, Di Pasquale’s successor, began her new job on Monday. She has large shoes to fill, and we wish her success.

We also extend our thanks and best wishes to Di Pasquale. His tenure leading CCRI will not soon be forgotten.

Comments

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  • Justanidiot

    Goodbye. Don't let the door hit you on your way out.

    Did you need any help carrying your pension to the car? Wouldn't want to see you get hurt now.

    Tuesday, February 2, 2016 Report this

  • davebarry109

    Wait, no mention of that fact that less than 27% go on to graduate from CCRI? THAT'S a good legacy?

    Tuesday, February 2, 2016 Report this