Academic Affairs Team

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

William Stargard serves as Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (comprised of the following departments: Art, Art History, and Design; Criminal Justice and Legal Studies; 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 Dean Barbara J. Nauman.

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

Suzanne Carr serves as the Dean of Health and Rehabilitative Science 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 Dean Suzanne Carr.

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

Lauren Webb serves as the Interim 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 Laurenn Webb.

Madeline Burke, Director of Academic Success and Community Partnerships

Madeline Burke serves as Director of Academic Success and Community Partnerships. As the college’s liaison with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and other community-based partners, Burke oversees student academic success and early college initiatives. She recently developed a new dual enrollment program for Providence high school seniors with a focus on equitable outcomes by providing a pathway to post-secondary success for students who would not normally be eligible for early college opportunities. Burke also serves on CCRI’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, working to build a more diverse and inclusive CCRI. This group meets regularly to develop ways that CCRI employees can be more culturally competent and educated in DEI issues and creative solutions to help us all better serve our communities. Prior to joining CCRI, Burke she spent more than 10 years at Year Up, most recently as Director of Program, where she oversaw multiple teams focused on academics, internship services, and employment placement. Contact Madeline Burke.

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.

Beth O'Leary Anish, Ph.D., Interim Director of Guided Pathways

As Interim Director of Guided Pathways, Anish works with faculty and staff from across the college to ensure that students can move through their academic programs smoothly and efficiently. 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. Prior to taking on this role, Anish was a full Professor in the English department. 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.

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 also serves on CCRI’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, working to build a more diverse and inclusive 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.

Elizabeth E. Del Sesto, M.B.A., Manager of Academic and Faculty Initiatives

Elizabeth (Liz) Del Sesto joined CCRI in 2017 and currently serves as the Manager of Academic and Faculty Initiatives. In her role, she supports the short- and long-term activities and goals of the Academic Affairs division. Del Sesto also serves as a liaison, resource, and analyst to college departments and administrators regarding academic procedures, reporting tools, and technologies. She earned a BS in Applied Mathematics and Master of Business Administration, along with Graduate Certificates in Human Resources and Labor Relations from the University of Rhode Island. Contact Elizabeth Del Sesto.