Collegiate DECA, Professor Orabone shine bright at annual international convention
April 21, 2022
The Community College of Rhode Island’s Collegiate DECA chapter closed out a strong
academic year at the 2022 International Career Development Conference (ICDC) with
several team and individual awards in addition to Business and Professional Studies
Professor Joanne Orabone winning another Teaching Excellence award.
The ICDC provides members the chance to network with representatives from National
DECA’s corporate sponsors in career exhibits. Students also engage and network with
business professionals through the Professional Development Series, with presentations
focusing on topics such as personal branding, money matters, sustainability, mastering
motivation, and dressing for success, which provide DECA members with an opportunity
to gain real-world insight from many business and industry professionals.
Among the team awards, CCRI’s chapter earned the Diplomatic Leadership Passport Award,
maintaining its streak as the only college in the country – including both two- and
four-year colleges – to win this award every year since its inception in 2006. The
Leadership Passport Award encourages chapters to plan activities and participate in
events that enhance the experiences of members and then rewards them for their ability
to build personal and professional skill sets focused around helping members be academically-prepared,
community-oriented, professionally-responsible, and experienced leaders.
Orabone, who is the college’s Collegiate DECA Advisor, earned the Accreditation Council
for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Region 1 Teaching Excellence Award for the
second time in six years. The award honors faculty members who go “above and beyond
to deliver quality education to students.” One winner from each of the 11 ACBSP regions
earns the annual Teaching Excellence Award and all winners are automatically nominated
for the ACBSP’s International Teaching Excellence Award.
Orabone also won the award in 2016.
“I was shocked to win for a second time,” Orabone said. “I love what I do, and it
feels great to be recognized for my work outside of the classroom as well. It’s a
lot of work, but winning the award is over-the-top-amazing.
“I’m passionate about what I do, and I think my passion and enthusiasm resonates with
my students. Enthusiasm is contagious. I don’t give up on my students and I will push
them to believe in themselves and be as confident in their abilities as I am.”
In addition to teaching, Orabone is involved with curriculum development and learning
outcome and assessment for CCRI’s Business Department. She also serves as the Advisor
of Kappa Beta Delta, the International Honor Society for Business students.
Said CCRI Department of Business & Professional Studies Chair Maria Coclin: “Professor Orabone has
been a positive advocate for all students, especially in her outstanding work with
DECA. I also believe that this honor reflects the hard work and professionalism of
the entire Department of Business and Professional Studies.”
Orabone accompanied CCRI DECA chapter member Evelin Aguilar (Providence, RI), Christine
Williams (Providence, RI), and Lauren Blanchette (Westerly, RI) to the ICDC in Baltimore,
where Williams – CCRI’s chapter President – earned an Executive Level Individual Leadership
Passport Award and placed third in the country in her Restaurant & Food Service Management
case study presentation. Aguilar also competed in a case study presentation and earned
a medal for advancing to the finals in Restaurant & Food Service Management.
When participating in the competitive events program, students are asked to demonstrate
their knowledge and skills by taking a Career Cluster exam in their chosen event.
They are then given 30 minutes to analyze a case study and 15 minutes to present their
findings to the judge, who is a business and industry professional. Aguilar and Williams
are both Business Administration majors – Aguilar speaks English as a second language
– who balanced their course work with their DECA responsibilities in addition to raising
their own children.
“What they’ve accomplished is incredible,” Orabone said. “Throughout the competition,
I kept reminding them that this is going to speak volumes for their children. They
are going to follow in their footsteps when they see what they’ve done.”
CCRI chapter members finished strong despite this being the first in-person ICDC since
prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and only the second time they’ve competed together
in person this year. In addition to the award winners, Blanchette received a gift
for her active participation in the Emerging Leader Series, a program aimed toward
preparing DECA members to be effective leaders in college and their careers.
“This is an amazing achievement for our team,” Orabone said. “We were still virtual
for half the year and never had the opportunity to meet or practice face-to-face,
which was challenging, but our students rose to the occasion. They really put in the
effort this year and bought into the concept.”
Share this story
Latest News
CCRI Student Athletes Honored at this Year's State Scholar-Athlete Awards
May 07, 2025
Ten student-athletes from the Community College of Rhode Island were honored last week for their athletic and academic achievements as part of the annual Scholar-Athlete Awards held in House Chamber of the Rhode Island State House. The Legislative Awards are designed to provide public recognition for student-athletes from CCRI, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island for significant achievements in their academic and athletic pursuits. The honorees have also demonstrated exemplary citizenship and community service.
Read More
CCRI and RIC Launch New Fully Online RN-to-BSN Program
May 06, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Rhode Island College (RIC) are proud to announce the launch of a new, fully online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program. This innovative partnership offers CCRI nursing graduates a seamless, affordable, and flexible pathway to earn their BSN while delivering the academic rigor and clinical relevance that Rhode Island’s healthcare system demands.
Read More
CCRI Partners with United Way to Open 211 Satellite Office
April 29, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has partnered with United Way of Rhode Island to establish a 211 satellite office on CCRI’s Warwick campus, expanding access to essential community resources for students. This collaboration underscores CCRI’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to student success and ensuring students have the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Read More
CCRI Launches Free Ophthalmic Technician Training Program
April 23, 2025
Warwick, R.I. – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce the launch of a new Ophthalmic Technician training program through its Division of Workforce Partnerships. This 120-hour program, beginning in May 2025, is free of charge and designed to prepare participants for immediate employment in a fast-growing healthcare field.
Read More
CCRI Foundation Elects Four New Members to its Board of Trustees
April 23, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Foundation has appointed four new members to its Board of Trustees. We are honored to welcome these four distinguished leaders to the CCRI Foundation,” said Rosemary Costigan, Ph.D, RN, Interim President of CCRI. “Their diverse backgrounds, deep ties to the community, and shared dedication will support us in advancing the college’s mission of access, equity and opportunity.
Read More
CCRI and Rhode Island Energy partner to launch free utilities career exploration program
April 17, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Energy are teaming up to offer a free exploratory program designed to give participants a window into the growing utilities industry.
Introduction to Utilities – free to anyone who meets eligibility requirements through funding from Rhode Island Energy – is a seven-hour introductory course that provides participants with foundational skills and knowledge to explore career pathways within the utilities sector, specifically with Rhode Island Energy.
Read More
Four CCRI Faculty Honored with NISOD Awards of Excellence
April 10, 2025
Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that four distinguished faculty members have been recognized with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. The recipients, honored for their exceptional dedication to student success and academic excellence
Read More
CCRI Achieves Gold Status as Military Friendly® School
April 10, 2025
Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce that it has been designated a Military Friendly® School for the fourth consecutive year, achieving Gold status for the first time during the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious recognition underscores CCRI's unwavering commitment to supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.
Read More
CCRI Celebrates First Cohort of MC3 Graduates, Expands Apprenticeship Readiness Program to Providence and Newport Campuses
April 08, 2025
WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly celebrates the graduation of its first cohort of the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Apprenticeship Readiness Program, marking a significant milestone in the college’s commitment to expanding career pathways in the skilled trades. The graduation ceremony took place on Thursday, April 3, at 3:30 p.m. at CCRI’s Warwick Campus.
Read More
CCRI Dental Hygiene Clinic to Host Free Sealant and Fluoride Community Day for Children & Teens
March 31, 2025
The CCRI Dental Hygiene Clinic’s upcoming Sealant and Fluoride Community Day on Friday, April 25, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Lincoln Campus will provide free dental sealants and fluoride treatments for children and teens ages 6 to 17. The event will be led by CCRI’s dental hygiene students, who will provide preventative care under the supervision of licensed professionals.
Read More
Lucas Johnson Named Rhode Island's 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar
March 17, 2025
Warwick, RI- Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) student and Warwick resident, Lucas Johnson, has been named a 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar and will receive a $2,250 scholarship.
Read More
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
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
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
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
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Liston Campus
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Westerly Education Center (WEC)
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Liston Campus
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Flanagan Campus
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day