The Community College of Rhode Island Foundation Board of Trustees and Alumni Association Assembly (CCRI Foundation) has been selected to receive the 2022 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), the premier organization representing higher education governing boards. The Nason Award, established in 1992, is presented in partnership with TIAA to higher education governing boards that demonstrate exceptional leadership and initiative.

 This year’s honorees were chosen from a diverse array of nominations illustrating the crucial work of boards from both public and private institutions, statewide systems, and institutionally-related foundations. The award selection committee placed special significance on boards focusing on justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 The CCRI Foundation Board, the first community college foundation to receive this national award, was recognized by AGB for having demonstrated considerable leadership; it effectively served students, having volunteered during the ongoing pandemic and recession, and provided courageous oversight to drive objectives and its equity agenda to advance the mission of CCRI in service of its students. In partnership, the Trustees and Alumni Association have raised record funds for CCRI and its students.  

“This award recognizes the exemplary leadership of the CCRI Foundation and the intentional actions it has taken to put equity and student success at the center of its work,” said CCRI President Meghan Hughes. The award was made Jan. 31 in Orlando, Florida. “I am deeply grateful to all those who serve on our Foundation and Alumni Association Assembly for their service to our college and their commitment to our students,” said Hughes. 

Jaymin Patel, president of the CCRI Foundation Board of Trustees said in a release, “Our trustees and alumni focus their philanthropy and volunteerism on supporting CCRI students and the college team.” Patel also thanked the Board’s leadership when he said, “I am particularly grateful for the tireless work of Governance Chair, Kim Barker Lee of IGT, and Alumni Association President, Toni McGuire of JSI; together, they aligned our Board’s service and work.” 

Toni McGuire, president of the CCRI Alumni Association said, “CCRI’s more than 80,000 alumni are the diverse talent our region needs, and our Foundation launched the Student Emergency Relief Fund and Comeback Scholarships, among other programs, to help hundreds of students complete their degrees and enter the workforce. This national award highlights the powerful work underway at CCRI.”