From tutee to tutor, Class of 2020 alumnus Cruz now returning the favor at CCRI
March 21, 2022
As someone who once relied on help from tutors while attending the Community College
of Rhode Island, Yeriel Cruz is now an industry expert paying it forward in the best
way possible.
Cruz, a 21-year-old Dominican Republic native, Class of 2020 graduate, and current
Civil Engineering student at the University of Rhode Island, works as a Math and Spanish
tutor for CCRI’s The Tutoring Center, providing much-needed guidance and direction for students who, in many ways, are
struggling as he once did in college.
“I had a lot of difficulties myself,” Cruz said, “so to be in this position where
I can help others is an amazing feeling.”
Cruz finished high school in the Dominican Republic at the age of 16 before moving
to Rhode Island with his father and two siblings. Unfamiliar with the culture, and
limited in his ability to apply the language in the classroom, Cruz took three semesters’
worth of ESL (English as a Second Language) courses at CCRI before enrolling as a
full-time student in 2018. Though not a traditional first-generation college student
– his parents attended college back home – he is the first in his family to attend
and earn a degree in the United States.
With a passion for engineering instilled in him since high school, Cruz earned his
Associate of Science in Engineering amidst the pandemic, all while tutoring fellow
students in math and Spanish. At URI, he’s on track to earn his bachelor’s degree
in Civil Engineering and plans to move forward with his master’s degree so he can
one day teach.
Engineering, however, comes first; Cruz’s dream job is to become a Geotechnical Engineer,
which is a branch of civil engineering centered around the behavior of earth materials.
Geotechnical Engineers support design and construction by researching and studying
soil, groundwater, and man-made materials to evaluate their sustainability for foundations,
thereby reducing risks such as a landslides or sinkholes.
Cruz has wanted to do this since he was a teenager; he took engineering courses in
high school and became fascinated with the construction of a bridge across a river
in his hometown that made transportation more accessible to and from the school. But
a dream only goes so far without an education, so Cruz began pursuing his passion
the moment he arrived in the United States. CCRI’s flexibility and commitment to helping
its student develop and improve their organizational and study skills kept Cruz on
the right path as he transitioned to a full-time college student.
“The tutors at CCRI were extremely helpful,” Cruz said. “Math is all about sequences,
and the courses all connect and relate to one another, so with the help of my tutors,
I was able to manage my time more effectively and successfully move from one course
to the next.”
Tutoring students at CCRI brings back a lot of memories for Cruz, especially when
working with those who are struggling with the language, can’t fully understand the
material, or simply feel overwhelmed at the college level. His best advice?
“Patience is really important, but, realistically, you need to be productive,” Cruz
said. “Many college students have a lot going on with work and school, so they’re
always busy, but if you’re productive with your time, you will succeed. Stay off your
phone when you’re doing work and surround yourself with people who have the same goals
as you because they will really push you to be where you want to be.
“I can relate to them. I tell them all the time when they’re stressed, ‘I was in the
same position you’re in. I, too, was trying to process everything.’ I remind them
to come to tutoring and continue to practice so that one day it’ll come naturally
to you.”
Share this story
Latest News
Broadway tour members visit Providence Campus next week to discuss life on the road
April 17, 2024
Students interested in a career in performing arts will have a unique opportunity next week to learn about life on the road from two well-traveled industry experts, Jay Carey and Christopher DeAngelis from the Broadway musical Company, during a free Q&A session at CCRI’s Providence Campus Theatre on Wednesday, April 24 at 4 pm.
Read More
First cohort of trainees graduates CCRI's GWO-certified Basic Safety Training program
April 11, 2024
Thirty-nine local residents are the first to complete the Global Wind Organisation (GWO)-certified Basic Safety Training curriculum at the state’s only offshore wind safety training center and are prepared to continue building fulfilling careers in America’s fast-growing offshore wind sector.
Read More
Class of 2022 grad Tavares gains acceptance into prestigious Juilliard School to pursue acting
April 01, 2024
Less than a year after wrapping up a life-changing fellowship with The Gamm Theatre, 22-year-old Pawtucket, RI, native and Class of 2022 graduate Eddy Tavares is one of only a small percentage of applications who were accepted into Juilliard's four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Drama beginning in the Fall of 2024.
Read More
Unwilling to give up her dream, New Century Scholar Grace pursues a career in Archaeology
March 28, 2024
After an on-again, off-again journey to further her education, West Warwick, RI, native Kelly Grace earned the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society's 2024 New Century Transfer Scholarship for the state of Rhode Island, awarding her $2,250 toward her pursuit of a career in Archaeology.
Read More
CCRI earns Military Friendly® School designation for the third year in a row
March 27, 2024
The Community College of Rhode Island has been named a 2024–25 Military Friendly® School by VIQTORY, a data-driven military company that helps connect the military community to civilian employment.
Read More
Insurance training grad makes investment in herself to break into a satisfying new career
March 26, 2024
Dorchester, MA, native and current Johnston, RI, resident Shamika Lyte initially worked in the construction industry fresh out of high school, but, thanks to CCRI's free Property and Casualty Insurance certification program, has found new life in a career that keeps her on her toes.
Read More
Social Sciences professor McCormack continues work to teach year-round inclusivity at CCRI
March 20, 2024
While February is known for the celebration of Black History Month and June is synonymous with Pride Month, among others, Suzanne McCormack works every day to ensure her students understand the importance of inclusivity and diversity while integrating such topics into her teachings throughout the year.
Read More
Budding artist and Promise scholar uses newfound ability to earn South Coast grant
March 19, 2024
Jonathan Colombo, a second-year Rhode Island Promise scholar and Fine Arts major with a concentration in Art, was recently named the South Coast Artists' 2024 Youth Grant Award of Merit recipient – one of several grants awarded annually to motivated high school and college students under the age of 21 to explore their artistic potential beyond the everyday classroom setting.
Read More
Former Student Ambassador and Class of '18 grad De La Cruz earns prestigious Emerging Leader Award
March 18, 2024
Mileiry “Milly” De La Cruz, a Class of 2018 alumna and former Student Ambassador at CCRI, is the recipient of this year’s American Council on Education (ACE) Women’s Network Massachusetts Emerging Leader Award for her hard work and dedication to serving students.
Read More
Renowned director Pitts-Wiley joins CCRI Players for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
February 28, 2024
The CCRI Players are collaborating with director Jonathan Pitts-Wiley this week for a special production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, a novel written by Ken Kesey that was later adapted into the historic 1975 film starring Jack Nicholson that went on to win all five major Academy Awards the year it was released.
Read More
Secretary of Education Cardona visits CCRI to advocate for more statewide CTE training
February 21, 2024
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited the Community College of Rhode Island’s Warwick Campus today to discuss the need for more career pathways and career and technical education (CTE) programming and apprenticeships, especially in Latino communities, as part of Joe Biden’s President Joe Biden's Investing in America Tour, aimed to demonstrate how President Biden is delivering for underrepresented or minoritized communities across the country.
Read More
CCRI teams with city of Providence to host the 2024 Pell Lecture Series
February 14, 2024
CCRI is teaming with Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley and the Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism to host for the first time the 2024 Pell Lecture Series, set to take place Thursday, March 7 at the Liston Auditorium in Providence.
Read More
CCRI appoints new CIO, Director of Enterprise Applications to IT division
February 12, 2024
The college has announced the hiring of James Bradley as the new Chief Information Officer and Rajeev Jayadeva as its Director of Enterprise Applications.
Read More
Black History Month 2024
February 05, 2024
February marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans in this country and acknowledge the lasting achievements of the people of the African diaspora who have shaped American history.
Read More
Fall 2023 Dean's List
February 01, 2024
The Community College of Rhode Island announces its Fall 2023 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
Upcoming Events
Mar.
18
March 18, 2024 All Day
Flanagan Campus
Mar.
23
March 23, 2024 All Day
Apr.
18
April 18, 2024 3:00 PM - June 27, 2024 3:30 PM
Woonsocket Education Center (WOC)
Apr.
20
April 20, 2024 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Knight Campus
Apr.
22
April 22, 2024 All Day
Apr.
22
April 22, 2024 All Day
Apr.
23
April 23, 2024 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Newport County Campus
Apr.
24
April 24, 2024 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Flanagan Campus
Apr.
24
April 24, 2024 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Knight Campus
Apr.
25
April 25, 2024 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Newport County Campus