Top

Student Spotlight: Madeline Holden

Madeline HoldenSept. 6, 2019

As she begins her new role as the Student Government President of the Community College of Rhode Island’s Newport County Campus, Madeline Holden wants every student who walks through those doors to feel like they belong.

She, too, knows what it’s like being the new student on campus, not knowing where to go, who to turn to, or – even worse – not knowing a helping hand is right around the corner.

“A lot of people don’t talk about how lonely it feels on the first day if you don’t know anybody,” said the North Kingstown native, second-year Psychology major and RI Promise Scholar. “I felt lost. I thought, ‘Maybe this wasn’t the best choice.’ I started second-guessing my decision to go to college.”

Once she became more active on campus, Holden discovered her passion for helping others, which she’s confident is her “purpose” at CCRI. In high school, she participated in numerous activities from academics to athletics, but wasn’t nearly as engaged during her first semester in college simply because she didn’t know what resources were available.

As Student Government President, her goal is to make sure others just like her realize their full potential. The first step, she says, is to help get the word out on everything her campus has to offer in an effort to increase student engagement.

“I want to leave my mark. I want to make an impact,” Holden said. “I like being busy and having things to do and finding ways to be involved.”

Until she joined Student Government during her first semester at CCRI, Holden was one of many students who went home directly after class without exploring the college’s vast resources. Now, in addition to serving as President for the upcoming academic year, she is working for the Enrollment Services office and competing on CCRI’s cross country team.

“My motivation as a student leader is to help the new students feel more connected and more involved on campus,” Holden said. “Our campus is a lot smaller, but we do have our own Newport community over there. That’s the good thing about our campus. There really are opportunities to bring the students closer when the community is smaller.

“It feels really good to be involved because you can help and influence the younger, incoming students and make them feel like they have a place. It’s a really nice feeling to know that you’ve helped someone adjust.”

Despite her involvement in various activities, Holden admits she had little to no direction after high school.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life,” she said.

One day, while sitting in her guidance counselor’s office at North Kingstown, she spotted a RI Promise brochure.

“I made a decision then and there,” Holden said. “This is something that is a great opportunity.”

Enrolling at CCRI has changed her life, allowing her to remain active within the community and find the much-needed direction to pursue a career path. Last year, she worked in the Advising and Counseling Department and developed a strong relationship with her advisor, Robyn Greene, who encouraged her to get more involved with Student Government. She is enrolled in the college’s Joint Admissions Agreement (JAA) program and will transfer to the University of Rhode Island in 2020 to continue studying Psychology. Her long-term goal is to become a marriage and family therapist.

“I want to help people,” Holden said. “I feel like that’s kind of my mission – my purpose – to help people any way I can.

“It’s really easy to enjoy something that you’re passionate about. You know it’s worth it and if you have the drive to do it, it’s not a chore – it’s something you love.”

Share this story

Latest News

Governor McKee, CCRI Announces Launch of Associate Degree in Culinary Craftsmanship

Governor McKee, CCRI Announces Launch of Associate Degree in Culinary Craftsmanship

March 07, 2025

NEWPORT, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) today announced the launch of an associate in arts degree in Culinary Craftsmanship on CCRI’s Newport Campus in fall 2025. To support this initiative, Governor McKee is proposing $850,000 to create a Culinary and Hospitality hub at CCRI’s Newport Campus. The hub will serve as a state-of-the-art learning environment designed to meet the growing demand for skilled culinary professionals in Rhode Island’s workforce.

Read More

CCRI Metallica Scholars: Forging Paths to Success in Healthcare

CCRI Metallica Scholars: Forging Paths to Success in Healthcare

March 05, 2025

For students like Esther Duran, of Providence, Wanda Wrobleski, of Cumberland, and Richard Garcia, of Providence, the journey to a fulfilling career in healthcare has been transformed thanks to the Community College of Rhode Island and the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). Funded by a $75,000 grant from the legendary rock band’s foundation, All Within My Hands, this initiative provides financial support to students enrolled in CCRI’s Medical Assistant and Patient Support Specialist workforce training programs—helping to alleviate financial burdens and empower students to focus on their education and career goals.

Read More

CCRI Women's Basketball Team Punches Ticket to National Tournament

CCRI Women's Basketball Team Punches Ticket to National Tournament

March 05, 2025

Warwick, RI- The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Women’s Basketball teamshowcased their dominance once again in the NJCAA Region XXI Conference, securing the regional title for the fourth year in a row and, punching their ticket to the National Tournament.

Read More

CCRI Players Present Stephen Sondheim's Assassins

CCRI Players Present Stephen Sondheim's Assassins

March 04, 2025

WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Players continue their 2024–25 season with a bold and thought-provoking production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins, running March 6–9 at the Bobby Hackett Theatre on CCRI's Knight Campus.

Read More

CCRI Players Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence

CCRI Players Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence

February 14, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island's (CCRI) student-run theatre group, the CCRI Players, proudly marks half a century of participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 1, held this year at Central Connecticut State University. Over the five-day event, the Players distinguished themselves by securing 10 awards across various disciplines, including acting and properties design.

Read More

Black History Month

Black History Month

February 10, 2025

February marks  Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans in this country; a time to acknowledge the lasting achievements of the people of the African diaspora who have shaped American history; and a time to walk alongside today’s Black leaders as they lead the work to create a truly anti-racist, inclusive community for all.

Read More

Fall 2024 Dean's List

Fall 2024 Dean's List

January 08, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island announces its Fall 2024 Dean's List. Students enrolled in a degree program who have completed 12 credits with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher this semester with no grade lower than “C” are eligible for this scholastic honor.

Read More

World Languages student and Rhode Island native wins fifth Emmy Award for film-editing technology

World Languages student and Rhode Island native wins fifth Emmy Award for film-editing technology

December 13, 2024

Cranston, RI, native Thomas Ohanian, a World Languages & Cultures student completing his independent study, recently won his fifth Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy Award for co-inventing the Avid Multicamera System, a technology that has revolutionized the film-making and editing industry.

Read More

College's Division of Workforce Partnerships earns 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award

College's Division of Workforce Partnerships earns 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award

December 12, 2024

The Community College of Rhode Island’s Division of Workforce Partnerships has won the 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award for its work in developing free training programs to help upskill more than 50 employees through online trainings and in-person courses at PACE’s East Providence, RI, headquarters and CCRI’s Providence Campus.

Read More

CCRI Players tackle themes of doubt and uncertainty with final production of fall semester

CCRI Players tackle themes of doubt and uncertainty with final production of fall semester

December 12, 2024

Beginning today, the CCRI Players launch a four-day run of John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt: A Parable, produced by CCRI Performing Arts Professor Luke Sutherland and scheduled for five performances at the college’s Providence Campus Auditorium. Showtimes are 7:30 pm Thursday through Saturday with 2 pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

Read More

Employee Spotlight: Michael Marrapodi

Employee Spotlight: Michael Marrapodi

November 27, 2024

Michael Marrapodi has joined CCRI as the new Executive Director of Online Learning. He has been involved with education since teaching music at a private school during his senior year of college in 1976 and is now an innovative leader in the online learning sector.

Read More

Second-year Biology student, PTK scholar helps feed the homeless one sandwich at a time

Second-year Biology student, PTK scholar helps feed the homeless one sandwich at a time

November 26, 2024

Eighteen-year-old Rhode Island Promise scholar and Warwick, RI, resident Lucas Johnson revived an old family tradition this past summer with Sandwich Party Sundays – a unique opportunity to spread joy and good cheer to Providence's homeless population each weekend at Kennedy Plaza. 

Read More

Alumni Spotlight: Flavia A. Albert, M.A.

Alumni Spotlight: Flavia A. Albert, M.A.

November 25, 2024

A Providence, RI, native, and Community College of Rhode Island Class of 2011 alumna, Flavia A. Albert, M.A., is on the verge of releasing her first children's book next month to combine her passion for behavioral health and early childhood development with her love for storytelling.

Read More

CCRI announces partnership with Building Futures to deliver new Apprenticeship Readiness program

CCRI announces partnership with Building Futures to deliver new Apprenticeship Readiness program

November 22, 2024

With the support of a $250,000 workforce investment from the RI Department of Labor and Training (RI-DLT), the college will begin offering apprenticeship readiness programming in January through the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), a comprehensive apprenticeship readiness curriculum that delivers an industry-recognized credential.

Read More

CCRI recognized as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting

CCRI recognized as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting

November 20, 2024

For the past two election cycles, the Community College of Rhode Island has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as part of its Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognition program.

Read More

Upcoming Events
Jan.
1

Maritime Electric Boat Programs - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Westerly Education Center (WEC)

Jan.
1

Driver Ed for Teens - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Courses - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Fast Track to CNC Manufacturing - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Liston Campus

Jan.
1

Global Wind Organization - Basic Safety Training - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Flanagan Campus

Jan.
1

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Motorcycle Rider Education - Ongoing Seasonal

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Para-Pro Review Classes and Testing - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Bridge Program - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Liston Campus

Jan.
1

English Language Studies (ELS) - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day