Academic Affairs Team

• Rebecca Heimel, Dean of Academic Affairs
• Dr. William Stargard, Dean of AHSS
• Barbara J. Nauman, Dean of BSTM
• Dr. Suzanne Carr, Dean of HARS
• Dr. Beth O'Leary Anish, Dean of LCCT
• Dr. Blair Harrington, Assistant Dean of AHSS
• Elizabeth Del Sesto, Assistant Dean of BSTM
• Dr. Lauren Webb, Director of Academic Program Review & Accreditation
• Dr. Rachel Rogers, Director of Center for Teaching Excellence
• Maya Geraldo, Manager of Academic and Faculty Initiatives

 

Rebecca Heimel, Dean of Academic Affairs

As Dean of Academic Affairs, Rebecca oversees the implementation of CCRI’s Academic Master Plan and works across Academic Affairs to support academic initiatives, strategies, and operations. Prior to this role, she served as the Elizabeth J. McCormack Chair of Humanities and co-chair of General Education and the BA in Interdisciplinary Studies at Cambridge College in Boston. Dean Heimel holds an M.Ed in Creative Arts in Learning, Adult and Community Multicultural Education from Lesley University and an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College. She will complete her Ph.D. in Cultural Studies at the University of Sussex, England, in 2024. Contact Rebecca Heimel.

William Stargard, Ph.D., Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

William Stargard serves as Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS) (comprised of the following departments: Art, Art History, and Design; Communication and Media; English; Human Services; Library; Performing Arts; Psychology; Social Sciences; and World Languages and Cultures). As Dean, Stargard provides leadership for the development and implementation of programs, initiatives, and projects across the division. Prior to coming to CCRI in 2022, Stargard served as Assistant Dean of Faculty Development and Teaching Excellence and Professor of Art History at Pine Manor College. While at Pine Manor, Stargard served in a variety of administrative roles, including NECHE Accreditation Liaison Officer. Stargard received his Ph.D. in Art History from Columbia University. Contact William Stargard.

Barbara J. Nauman, M.B.A., Dean of Business, Science, Technology and Math

Under Dean Nauman’s direction, the Business, Science, Technology and Math (BSTM) division continues to advance new courses, certificates and degrees in response to relevant community and workforce needs in high-demand, high-skilled careers. Many of the BSTM certificate programs are fast-tracked allowing students to complete their studies in one academic year. Dean Nauman also provides oversight of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the STEM-Plus Perkins Grant initiatives with high schools across Rhode Island. Nauman has over 22 years of experience as a business professional holding a variety of senior leadership and management positions at The Providence Journal, including Vice President of Consumer Sales and Services, Vice President of Circulation, and Senior Director of Consumer Marketing. She joined CCRI in 2015 as a faculty member in Business and Professional Studies Department and received the College’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2017. Contact Barbara Nauman.

Suzanne Carr, Ph.D., R.N., Dean of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences

Suzanne Carr serves as the Dean of Health and Rehabilitative Science (HARS) degree and certificate programs, including nursing, dental health, radiography, occupational and physical therapy, radiography, and respiratory therapy, among others. Dr. Carr joined CCRI in January 2019 as the Interim Dean and as the Dean in May 2020. During her tenure at CCRI, Dr. Carr successfully led the re-accreditation for the Nursing Department, Radiography, MLT and Histotechnian programs and oversaw the implementation of the $1.9 million Healthcare Workforce Transformational Grant to advance initiatives of Diversity, Interprofessional Education, Mental Health First Aid and Continuing Education. Under her leadership, CCRI has solidified its role as a regional leader in health care education that meets the workforce needs of our partners in the health care industry. Prior to joining CCRI, Dr. Carr served as an associate professor of nursing and interprofessional education coordinator at New England Institute of Technology. She previously taught nursing at the University of Rhode Island (URI), accumulating more than 16 years of experience in nursing academia. She holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing, a master’s in nursing education and a doctorate in nursing, all from URI. Contact Suzanne Carr.

Beth O'Leary Anish, Ph.D., Dean of Learning Commons and Classroom Technology

Beth Anish is the inaugural Dean of Learning Commons and Classroom Technology (LCCT). The Learning Commons pulls together under one umbrella the Library and other academic support services at the college, including Guided Pathways, the Tutoring Center and Academic Coaching, and the Writing Center. In addition to leading the Learning Commons, Anish will provide a bridge from Academic Affairs to IT regarding classroom technology needs. She has been with the college since 2010, first as professor in the English department, and more recently as Director of Guided Pathways. Her work centers around removing barriers to student success, from students' first moment of contact with the college through reaching their transfer and/or career goals. With a master's degree in Higher Education Administration in addition to her Ph.D. in English, she once served Associate Director of Admissions at Worcester State University, in charge of transfer admissions and their Joint Admissions program. She also worked as an academic advisor at Quinsigamond Community College while serving as an adjunct faculty member there for close to a decade. Contact Beth O'Leary Anish.

Blair Harrington, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Blair Harrington joined CCRI in June 2023 as the Assistant Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS). She received her doctorate in sociology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Harrington has over ten years of experience acting as a research analyst for an educational nonprofit and teaching undergraduate courses. Most recently, she was a Visiting Assisting Professor at the College of the Holy Cross. Her graduate research focused on race, class, and gender differences in family involvement for four and two-year college students. She has co-authored publications in Gender and Society and Social Problems and a solo-authored article in Journal of Family Issues. While completing her dissertation, she served as the Director of Academic Advising at Manchester Community College. Contact Blair Harrington.

Elizabeth Del Sesto, M.B.A., Assistant Dean of Business, Science, Technology and Math

Elizabeth (Liz) Del Sesto serves as the Assistant Dean of Business, Science, Technology and Math (BSTM), assisting Dean Nauman in the oversight and management of six academic departments. She has worked for CCRI since 2017 and brings a wealth of institutional knowledge to this role, contributing to the division’s growth and success through her responsibilities related to curriculum management, grant-funded initiatives, scheduling, and assessment. Assistant Dean Del Sesto earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Rhode Island. While completing her MBA, she also received graduate certificates in labor relations and human resources. Contact Liz Del Sesto.

Lauren Webb, Ph.D., Director of Academic Program Review and Accreditation

Lauren Webb serves as the Director of Academic Program Review and Accreditation where she facilitates the assessment and academic program review processes. Lauren previously worked at the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University in a similar role. At CCRI since 2017, she has managed several initiatives, including the launch of the P-TECH program, the implementation of several academic data platforms, and the growth of professional development opportunities for faculty around assessment. Webb earned a BA in Sociology from Drew University and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Northeastern University, where she researched the growth of online learning in higher education. You can find out more information on Assessment at CCRI here. Contact Lauren Webb.

Rachel A. Rogers, Ph.D., Director of Center for Teaching Excellence

Rachel A Rogers first joined the CCRI community in 2011 as a Psychology professor, and she currently serves as Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE). CTE is the hub of faculty professional development opportunities at CCRI. Rogers focuses on faculty-led offerings that build a community of continuous development, championing high-impact and equitable teaching and learning practices. She strives to collaborate with any group on campus that wants to offer workshops or information to CCRI’s excellent faculty. Rogers holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with a Cognate in College Teaching from the University of New Hampshire. Contact Rachel Rogers.

Maya R. Geraldo, Manager of Academic and Faculty Initiatives

Maya Geraldo serves as the Manager of Academic and Faculty Initiatives. Geraldo joined CCRI in 2017 and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the division including cross-functional collaboration with Human Resources and Institutional Equity, Finance and Strategy, and Marketing & Communications. She manages academic procedures pertaining to State reporting, budgeting, hiring, and professional development. Geraldo serves on CCRI’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council and the inaugural Staff Assembly, working to build a more diverse, inclusive and transparent CCRI. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island and a Psychology of Leadership Certificate from Cornell University. Contact Maya Geraldo.