Getting To Know: Dean Taiwo Adefiyiju
March 8, 2023
In our newest segment, "Getting To Know," we profile recent hires at CCRI and provide
an in-depth look at their role at the college, their background prior to joining our
community, and how their work reflects CCRI's guiding principles. Email [email protected] to nominate a co-worker.
In early December, Providence, RI, native Taiwo Adefiyiju joined the CCRI community as our new Dean of Students with the goal of providing a vibrant and engaging college and campus experience for our entire student
body.
Dean Adefiyiju previously worked at her alma mater, Providence College, where she
served as Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Cultural Education, a role that
allowed her to work more closely with students and develop support teams for students
with behavior concerns while implementing success plans for underrepresented students
struggling with a variety of issues.
Upon enrolling at PC as a student, Dean Adefiyiju struggled at first without her twin
brother, whom she had attended school with at every level through senior year of high
school. Once she adapted, she took on a variety of leadership roles in student organizations such as the Board of Multicultural Student Affairs,
Afro-American Society, and the Step Up Mentoring Program, and served as a resident
assistant. That experience helped her realize her true ambition and led her to a career
helping students overcome the same hurdles she faced in her academic journey.
In today's "Getting To Know" segment, we dive deeper into Dean Adefiyiju's goals at
CCRI, her most memorable experiences at PC, and how a near-tragic event during her
senior year of college taught her a new outlook on life.
While it’s still very early in your tenure at CCRI, what are some of the goals you’ve
established as the new Dean of Students?
What I’m really looking forward to doing is creating a place of belonging where all
students know and feel like they belong. The Rhode Island Promise scholarship adds
a different layer to all of this in that there is a new perspective in terms of student
needs, therefore it’s imperative to get to know the students first. We also have to
acknowledge the demands of parenting parents and create a space of belonging to help
them achieve their academic goals. Above all else, we want to be intentional; it all
starts with something simple like learning how to say their name. This demonstrates
to students that you value them and that they belong.
During your time at Providence College, what would you consider your most rewarding
endeavor or achievement?
I took great pride in helping students create lasting memories with individuals from
all walks of life and demonstrating to students the power of storytelling. With every
name there is a story. We also implemented cultural agility programming/trainings/affinity
groups that helped students and staff recognize their own unconscious biases while equipping them with real-world strategies, techniques, pedagogy to engage in
meaningful conversations and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) on campus.
Having worked on a number of different committees and with underrepresented students
at PC, what would you see is the biggest key to promoting cultural awareness at the
college level?
We must appreciate shared differences. Exposing students to the multitudes of opinions,
cultures, and backgrounds (through internships, volunteer work, classroom, networking
and student clubs) can better equip students to thrive in their future workplace while
helping them enrich their own personal lives and thoughts. I also think it’s important
to help students establish their “why” – their purpose. You should also get to know
your students. While students may share similar end goals (graduation or obtaining
a degree) we should appreciate the differences in their journey.
How have your life experiences helped you in terms of being relatable to students
and being able to understand their needs and expectations once they step foot on a
college campus?
Through the years, I’ve learned to stress the importance of storytelling. I often
share with students that I feel I’ve failed as a leader if they strive to want to
be like me because my goal for each student is for them to be better than me. By offering
your students the chance to develop the ability to communicate respectfully with peers
from other backgrounds, you better prepare them to operate in the ever-shifting workplace
and changing society. The reality is you can learn something from every mistake, failure,
or setback. As they say, you miss 100 percent of the opportunities you don’t take.
Days before your commencement at PC, your family’s home caught on fire. Thankfully,
no one was injured. Did that moment – and the response from your network at PC – in
any way shape what you wanted to do with your career beyond PC?
The outpouring from the Providence College community is one I simply struggle to put
in words. You may encounter obstacles or life-changing events that derail your plans
at that moment, but, for me, I was determined not to let this matter derail my future.
In this specific instance, knowing your “why” is important. You must identify your
place of peace and know your support network. Things happen in life, but that should
not impact the goals you set for yourself.
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.
19
April 19, 2024 All Day
Apr.
19
April 19, 2024 All Day
Apr.
19
April 19, 2024 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Knight Campus
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