Skip to Main ContentSearch Site
Top

CCRI Administrative Assistant participates in mission trip to home country of Guatemala

PAZOctober 28, 2022 

Through an unlikely connection with a fellow churchgoer, Luis Paz returned to his home country earlier this month on a mission trip to provide resources for children in need.

Paz, a Class of 2018 Community College of Rhode Island alumnus who now works full time for the college as a Higher Education Administrative Asstistant III, spent a week in San Antonio Aguas Calientes in Sacatepéquez, Guatemala with members of the Awakening Church and leaders of the non-profit organization GoBe International on a dental mission trip to educate village youth – ranging from 5 to 14 years old – on the importance of proper dental care.

Upon arrival, the group volunteered at an after-school program launched by the local non-profit organization where they offered free dental procedures and taught various courses, including English and Music. Paz, who was born in Guatemala and moved to the United States with his mother when he was 5, focused less on the dental work and more on interacting one-on-one with the children, whether it was planning special events or working with a group that taught the children musical scales, allowing him to showcase his violin skills during worship sessions – a skill he learned in second grade.

The mission was an “enlightening” experience; the appreciation of the children who were so grateful for the little things we tend to take for granted gave Paz an opportunity to reflect on his own good fortune while paying it forward in ways he never imagined.

“Every day was so emotional,” said Paz, 24. “To me, it felt like time slowed down and we were able to appreciate the moment. It’s really cool how everything comes full circle. I was born in Guatemala and now I’m able to go back there and help.”

Paz earned his associate degree from CCRI in 2018 in Communications and transferred to Emerson College, where he graduated two years later with his bachelor’s degree in Visual and Media Arts Production. In early 2020, he transferred to Emerson Los Angeles – the college’s West Coast home – and worked part-time as a photographer and content creator for the college’s alumni website in addition to his role as a Creative Intern for Ramo Law PC in Beverly Hills.

Paz returned to CCRI in 2021 as a Technical Assistant, where he also assists with coordinating projects for the college’s Communication & Film/Media department along with his work as a freelance graphic designer. His dream is to remain in the creative field to best utilize his talents but also continue traveling to help others in need.

Outside of CCRI, Paz is heavily involved with his church, from volunteering to freelance creative work. He linked up with GoBe International through its founder, a local dentist who is also a parishioner. Since its launch in 2014, GoBe has worked alongside organizations in Guatemala to target specific villages for annual mission trips. When approached about participating in this year’s visit, Paz jumped at the opportunity to get involved. He plans to go again if given the chance.

“The mission was so helpful for so many children,” Paz said. “A lot of the kids don’t receive regular dental treatment because it’s very expensive. A lot of them have decaying teeth. What we try to do when we’re there is get them up to speed. Obviously, it was a bit scary for them because no one likes going to the dentist, but they were so grateful to have us there.

“It was an amazing, beautiful experience, all thanks to God.”

Share this story

Latest News

Broadway tour members visit Providence Campus next week to discuss life on the road

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Global Wind Organization - Basic Safety Training - Ongoing

March 18, 2024 All Day

Flanagan Campus

Mar.
23

Motorcycle Rider Education - Ongoing

March 23, 2024 All Day

Apr.
18

Water Treatment and Distribution

April 18, 2024 3:00 PM - June 27, 2024 3:30 PM

Woonsocket Education Center (WOC)

Apr.
20

CCRI Opera Workshop: Magic Flute & Putnam County Spelling Bee

April 20, 2024 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Knight Campus

Apr.
23

Stuff-A-Pet

April 23, 2024 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Newport County Campus

Apr.
24

Mini Golf

April 24, 2024 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Flanagan Campus

Apr.
24

CCRI Enrollment Days

April 24, 2024 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Knight Campus

Apr.
25

Aquidneck Island Summer Job Fair

April 25, 2024 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Newport County Campus