CCRI Leadership Team
CCRI is led by a visionary team deeply committed to delivering a transformative experience for all students.
Dr. Rosemary Costigan, President
On June 18, 2025, the Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education voted unanimously to name Rosemary Costigan, Ph.D., RN, as president of Community College of Rhode Island. She is the college’s sixth president and first alumna to serve as the college’s president. A proud graduate of Pawtucket West High School (now Shea High School) and CCRI’s own Nursing Program (then Rhode Island Junior College), Dr. Costigan embodies the full promise and potential of a CCRI education.
A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Costigan is deeply committed to advancing access, equity, and excellence in higher education. Since her appointment as Interim President in September 2023, she has guided the college through a period of bold transformation and growth. Under her leadership, CCRI earned a full 10-year reaccreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), joined the prestigious Achieving the Dream network—affirming a college-wide commitment to data-informed decision-making and equitable student outcomes—and secured the largest private donation in CCRI’s history: a $2 million gift to redesign and strengthen developmental education.
Dr. Costigan began her career in CCRI’s classrooms, where she spent over 15 years teaching and mentoring nursing students as a faculty member and Department Chair. Her passion for academic excellence and student success led her into senior leadership, including roles as Assistant Dean of Nursing Education and then Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). As VPAA, she launched the college’s first Academic Master Plan, expanded online learning, promoted faculty-led professional development, and implemented Guided Pathways to help students stay on track and graduate.
During the C2025OVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Costigan led CCRI’s rapid pivot to remote instruction—shifting the college’s academic operations online within just two weeks. She also played a key role in strengthening shared governance through the launch of a Faculty Senate.
Since stepping into the presidency, Dr. Costigan has accelerated the college’s momentum, launching accelerated terms, expanding early college access and work-based learning, and creating CCRI Advantage to eliminate barriers in developmental education and improve student outcomes.
Dr. Costigan holds an Associate Degree in Nursing from CCRI (then RI Junior College), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rhode Island College and both a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Davies Career & Technical High School and has served as a peer evaluator for both NECHE and ACEN. Among her many honors, she was inducted into the CCRI Society of Knights in 2016, named one of Providence Business News’ Business Women of the Year in 2024, and received both the Rosemary Wood Nursing Leadership Award and the Academic Excellence Award from the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.
Barbara J. Nauman, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs
As Interim VPAA, Barbara J. Nauman will work closely with academic deans, administrators, and faculty on educational programs, quality instruction, and furthering the institution’s strategic plan, academic master plan, goals, and mission.
Since 2021, she has served as the Dean of Business, Science, Technology and Mathematics (BSTM) after previously serving as Interim Dean and Interim Assistant Dean of BSTM. In these roles, Nauman made a profound impact shepherding forward new curricula and academic programs that have advanced student transferability and employment. She was an integral part of the CCRI team that secured Bally’s $5 million investment in new academic programs, workforce development, and scholarship support.
In addition to her experience at CCRI, Nauman also taught at Salve Regina University and Johnson & Wales University graduate and undergraduate schools. Prior to teaching, she worked for 22 years as a business professional, holding a variety of senior leadership and management positions at The Providence Journal.
Greg LaPointe,VP, Student Affairs, Chief Outcomes Officer, and Newport Campus Leader
As Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Outcomes Officer, LaPointe is focused on maximizing impact and driving student success initiatives that move the needle on CCRI’s mission. LaPointe began at CCRI in 2017 and has guided the redesign of data systems, implemented student success technologies, and put into practice data-driven enrollment management programs that have boosted student success. Prior to joining the CCRI team, LaPointe served as the Senior Strategy Advisor to the President and Executive Director of Institutional Research and Planning at the University of Maine at Augusta. As a member of the University’s executive leadership team, LaPointe spearheaded organizational effectiveness and the analytical and technology components of the student success strategy. LaPointe has held similar technical and advisory roles at Cambridge College and National University.
Rich Sullivan, Vice President, Administration and Finance
Rich Sullivan serves as the college’s Vice President for Administration and Finance. In this position, he serves as Chief Financial Officer and leads the business and administrative functions of the college, including the Controller’s Office, Human Resources, the Business Office, the Budget Office, Payroll, Purchasing, Physical Plant, and Campus Police. Rich is a proven higher education leader who brings to this position a commitment to transparency and financial integrity that aligns with our strategic plan and mission.
Most recently, Rich served as CFO and Treasurer for Vinfen Corporation, a not-for-profit, community-based health and human services organization, where he oversaw all financial, debt management, IT, and facilities functions. Prior to that, Rich served 14 years as CFO at Curry College, where he was responsible for the oversight of all financial, student financial services, and facilities functions and served as part of the Strategic Enrollment Management and NECHE Accreditation teams. During his tenure at Curry College, he co-managed major capital improvement projects, including the construction of a new student center, three residential halls, and an academic building; managed multiple debt transactions, including five bond issuances; and oversaw the college’s endowment investment strategy.
Jennie Johnson, Interim AVP, CCRI Foundation, and Institutional Advancement
As the leader of the Office of Institutional Advancement and CCRI Foundation, Jennie oversees Alumni Affairs, and Community Relations, and drives the Foundation’s mission to support CCRI, its students, and alumni. Through partnerships with the philanthropic community, Board of Trustees, and community leaders throughout the state, she advances the colleges mission of supporting all students to reach their education and career goals.
In her previous role as Vice President for the Division of Workforce Partnerships, through collaboration with key external stakeholders, Jennie led the workforce development efforts at the college, including supporting the development of customized trainings in business and industry, workforce development programs, small business and entrepreneurial programs, adult education, transportation programs, and career services.
For the past 16 years, she has served as Executive Director and Senior Vice President for City Year Providence, where she has been responsible for managing the site’s budget and leading the strategy and execution of the organization’s governmental and external relations, development and fundraising, communications, service and impact, recruitment, training, and evaluation components. Johnson is a proud CCRI and Rhode Island College alumna who earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Psychology. She is also a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program and the American Express Nonprofit Leadership Academy.
Alix Ogden, Vice President of Institutional Equity, Human Resources, and Organizational Development
In this role, Alix oversees human resources, labor relations, talent acquisition, Title IX and compliance, organizational development, and equity, all integral components of any educational institution.
Alix has worked at CCRI since 2015, first as Chief of Staff, then as Associate Vice President in where she assumed responsibility for four departments – including Human Resources, Physical Plant, Marketing and Communications, and Campus Police – in addition to retaining many of the other responsibilities she had as Chief of Staff. She was then appointed Vice President of Administration and External Relations in August 2021 and a Special Advisor to the President’s Office in June 2022
Amy Kacerik, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
Amy plays a pivotal role in advancing student success by working collaboratively and creatively with the entire college community to help advance the division’s strategic objectives to meet institutional goals and foster student retention and academic success. Amy leads personnel across the Division including the Dean of Students, Dean of Student Engagement, Dean of Student Development and Assessment, Dean of Enrollment Management, Dean of Opportunity and Outreach (TRIO), and the Manager of Impact Initiatives.
John Renza, III, Interim Associate Vice President for Workforce Partnerships
As Interim Associate Vice President for the Division of Workforce Partnerships, John Renza brings with him more than 20 years of high-profile business and finance experience. Using his wealth of experience and deep connections within the Rhode Island business landscape, John provides strategic leadership in establishing and maintaining partnerships in alignment with college, industry and public sector needs.
Throughout his career, John has held numerous leadership positions where he has been responsible for driving business strategy and cultivating high-net-worth relationships. In addition, for the past 11 years, John has passed on his expertise to students here at CCRI as an Adjunct Professor in the Business and Professional Studies Department.
Ronald A. Cavallaro, General Counsel
Ron Cavallaro serves as general counsel to CCRI. Since 2006, he has also served as general counsel to the Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education. Prior to that time, he was legal counsel for the Department of Labor and Training and worked there in part-time and full-time capacities for just over 20 years. From 1995 to 2009, Cavallaro also was a member of the adjunct faculty at the Southern New England School of Law, now the University of Massachusetts School of Law.
Amy Kempe, Chief of Staff
As Chief of Staff, Amy is responsible for overseeing the President’s Office and External Relations. Amy joined CCRI in 2019 as Director of Marketing and Communications, making an immediate impact in supporting robust enrollment and improving internal communications to build community, especially during the pandemic. She was later named Executive Director of Marketing, Communications, and External Relations, taking on a larger role in government relations and serving as the Newport Campus Leader.