CCRI named finalist in Lumina Foundation’s Million Dollar Community College challenge
May 2, 2022
The Community College of Rhode Island is one of 10 finalists nationwide in Lumina
Foundation’s The Million Dollar Community College Challenge, which will award $1.9 million in grant funding to amplify brand-building and strategic
marketing efforts at America’s community colleges.
The Million Dollar Community College Challenge aims to support efforts that deepen the aspirational connection between community
colleges and adult students interested in pursuing a college degree or post-high school
credential. The winner will receive a $1 million grant to support brand building and
strategic marketing efforts. The nine runners-up will each receive $100,000. All 10
finalists will receive technical assistance to develop actionable brand building and
marketing strategies. The winner will be announced in August.
The 10 finalists were announced during a virtual ceremony Thursday. CCRI joins the
College of Eastern Idaho, County College of Morris (New Jersey), Great Falls College
Montana State University, Long Beach City College, Houston Community College, Madera
Community College (California), Madison Area Technical College (Wisconsin), Minnesota
State College Southeast, and Northwest-Shoals Community College (Alabama).
During the second round of the competition, each of the finalists will create a video
narrative that captures what is uniquely exceptional about their college and illustrates
the promise that adults should expect as community college students.
“The Million Dollar Community College Challenge is all about promoting the opportunities
at community colleges and connecting adults to higher education,” said Shauna Davis,
strategy director for community college participation at Lumina. “The 10 finalists
each submitted a compelling vision for making vital campus to community connections
and creative ideas for promoting their colleges brand.”
"CCRI is inspired by Lumina's visionary commitment to reimagining the brand identity
of community colleges nationwide. We are excited that Lumina has allowed us to tell
our story and engage a new community of adults in the transformative power of a CCRI
education. We will start as we always do – by listening to and learning from the prospective
students we seek to serve,” said Amy Kempe, director of Marketing and Communications
for CCRI.
About Lumina Foundation
Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed
to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. We envision
a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need
for talent through a broad range of credentials. Our goal is to prepare people for
informed citizenship and for success in a global economy.
Share this story
Latest News
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
CCRI Players Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence
February 14, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island's (CCRI) student-run theatre group, the CCRI Players, proudly marks half a century of participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 1, held this year at Central Connecticut State University. Over the five-day event, the Players distinguished themselves by securing 10 awards across various disciplines, including acting and properties design.
Read More
Black History Month
February 10, 2025
February marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans in this country; a time to acknowledge the lasting achievements of the people of the African diaspora who have shaped American history; and a time to walk alongside today’s Black leaders as they lead the work to create a truly anti-racist, inclusive community for all.
Read More
Fall 2024 Dean's List
January 08, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island announces its Fall 2024 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
World Languages student and Rhode Island native wins fifth Emmy Award for film-editing technology
December 13, 2024
Cranston, RI, native Thomas Ohanian, a World Languages & Cultures student completing his independent study, recently won his fifth Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy Award for co-inventing the Avid Multicamera System, a technology that has revolutionized the film-making and editing industry.
Read More
College's Division of Workforce Partnerships earns 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award
December 12, 2024
The Community College of Rhode Island’s Division of Workforce Partnerships has won the 2024 PACE-RI Academic Partnership Award for its work in developing free training programs to help upskill more than 50 employees through online trainings and in-person courses at PACE’s East Providence, RI, headquarters and CCRI’s Providence Campus.
Read More
CCRI Players tackle themes of doubt and uncertainty with final production of fall semester
December 12, 2024
Beginning today, the CCRI Players launch a four-day run of John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt: A Parable, produced by CCRI Performing Arts Professor Luke Sutherland and scheduled for five performances at the college’s Providence Campus Auditorium. Showtimes are 7:30 pm Thursday through Saturday with 2 pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday.
Read More
Employee Spotlight: Michael Marrapodi
November 27, 2024
Michael Marrapodi has joined CCRI as the new Executive Director of Online Learning. He has been involved with education since teaching music at a private school during his senior year of college in 1976 and is now an innovative leader in the online learning sector.
Read More
Second-year Biology student, PTK scholar helps feed the homeless one sandwich at a time
November 26, 2024
Eighteen-year-old Rhode Island Promise scholar and Warwick, RI, resident Lucas Johnson revived an old family tradition this past summer with Sandwich Party Sundays – a unique opportunity to spread joy and good cheer to Providence's homeless population each weekend at Kennedy Plaza.
Read More
Alumni Spotlight: Flavia A. Albert, M.A.
November 25, 2024
A Providence, RI, native, and Community College of Rhode Island Class of 2011 alumna, Flavia A. Albert, M.A., is on the verge of releasing her first children's book next month to combine her passion for behavioral health and early childhood development with her love for storytelling.
Read More
CCRI announces partnership with Building Futures to deliver new Apprenticeship Readiness program
November 22, 2024
With the support of a $250,000 workforce investment from the RI Department of Labor and Training (RI-DLT), the college will begin offering apprenticeship readiness programming in January through the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), a comprehensive apprenticeship readiness curriculum that delivers an industry-recognized credential.
Read More
CCRI recognized as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting
November 20, 2024
For the past two election cycles, the Community College of Rhode Island has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as part of its Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognition program.
Read More
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Westerly Education Center (WEC)
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day
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
Liston Campus
Jan.
1
January 1, 2025 All Day