CCRI Foundation Board of Trustees and Alumni Association earns national leadership
award
January 31, 2022

The Community College of Rhode Island Foundation Board of Trustees and Alumni Association
Assembly (CCRI Foundation) was 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. “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.”
Jaymin Patel, president of the CCRI Foundation Board of Trustees said, “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.”
Barker Lee, Board Vice Chair and equity agenda architect acknowledged, “The backgrounds
and experiences of our trustees and alumni members represent the rich diversity of
the CCRI community and we have worked hand-in-hand to drive an equity agenda for our
students that has proven results in Rhode Island.”
Executive Director of the CCRI Foundation, Bobby Gondola, said, “Our Trustees and
Alumni Assembly reflect the incredible diversity of CCRI students and alumni. The
Board has demonstrated a relentless commitment to equity in Rhode Island and, together,
our trustees and alumni have raised new scholarships and support programs that help
meet the growing needs of community college students.”
CCRI is one of six Nason Award recipients. Others include the Adler University Board of
Trustees, Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education Board of Governors, The
Southern California University of Health Sciences Board of Regents, the University
of Memphis Board of Trustees, and Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors.
“Strategic governing boards are critical to higher education’s success – not only
to the financial vitality of the institutions and foundations that higher education
boards oversee, but also for the millions of students who enroll and graduate every
year. It is also evident that boards have an important role to play in elevating justice,
diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout campus and in the board room. We hope
that recognizing boards who serve as dedicated, strategic thought partners with chief
executives and leadership teams will give others the courage to lead in a similar
fashion,” said Henry Stoever, AGB president and CEO. “I am excited to share and celebrate
the great work and success that these honorees have achieved when we hold our upcoming
events.”
The CCRI Foundation will receive its award at the AGB Foundation Leadership Forum
in Orlando, Florida on January 31, as well as an upcoming board meeting, and will
be recognized throughout the year at AGB events and programs.
The Nason award is named for higher education leader John W. Nason, who served as
the chair of the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council and helped
more than 4,000 interned students continue their college studies across the nation
during World War II. Learn more about AGB's Nason Award at www.AGB.org/Award.
The CCRI Foundation is comprised of the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association
Assembly, established in 1979 to raise funds to support students and the Community
College of Rhode Island (CCRI). The CCRI Foundation encourages and provides support
from individual, corporate, foundation and government funding sources for CCRI and
its students. Funds are used for student scholarships, book awards, emergency relief,
strategic programs, professional development, capital improvements and educational
equipment and resources. Today, philanthropic partners are critical to the growing
community of CCRI students and more than 80,000 alumni.
The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) is the premier
membership organization that strengthens higher education governing boards and the
strategic roles they serve within their organizations. Through our vast library of
resources, educational events, and consulting services, and with nearly 100 years
of experience, we empower 40,000 AGB members from more than 2,000 institutions and
foundations to navigate complex issues, implement leading practices, streamline operations,
and govern with confidence. AGB is the trusted resource for board members, chief
executives, and key administrators on higher education governance and leadership.
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