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1/18/2022
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Op-Ed: Thanks to President Sánchez, RIC’s on the right path but the job’s not done yet
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By Sen. Sandra Cano and Rep. Karen Alzate
Over the past six years, Dr. Frank Sánchez has helped to build a strong foundation that set Rhode Island College (RIC) on a path toward progress. He did this while also confronting numerous challenges during a time of extreme uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated many of RIC’s existing problems, yet Dr. Sánchez consistently weathered these multiple storms, leaving RIC in a far better place than when he took over the reins in 2016. For this, we extend our gratitude and friendship to Dr. Sánchez and we wish him well with all of his future endeavors.
Often, we hear from RIC, “Be Bold,” when describing the opportunities and challenges that RIC encounters. We could not agree more. It is going to take bold action for RIC to move to the next phase and to thrive. The direct beneficiaries of this action and investment are the students and the state of Rhode Island. It is evident by the demographics, the alumni base, the programs of study and career paths available there, that RIC and RI are one in the same. We have identified three of potentially many key areas that can keep the momentum RIC has achieved under the Sánchez administration.
Being Bold means investing in RIC as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
At a recent presentation to the RI Minority Caucus by RIC officials, we learned that RIC is the only four-year public college in the state, and the region, with this distinction from the United States Department of Education. RIC’s student body is currently 25 percent Latino and this number has been rising steadily. In fact, this also mirrors what the US 2020 Census revealed of the state’s population. RIC and the state need to leverage this distinction and the resources that accompany being the only Hispanic Serving Institution in the state. We need to create a plan and investment in this RIC initiative.
Being Bold means having a business model and budget that builds capacity and invests in what works correctly.
RIC needs a business plan and budget model that really takes into account what is truly costs to educate a RIC student. Most of RIC’s students are non-traditional, are already working, some are parents, and others may be veterans. How does Rhode Island resource the services that these non-traditional students need to be successful in a college and campus that was not created for them? RIC can and should have the capacity that it takes to successfully engage all students and making this a reality will produce immense benefit to not only the students and the college, but the state as a whole.
Being Bold means modernizing and being nimble enough to operate effectively and according to best practices.
RIC needs to assess its operations, systems, technology and engagement. Under President Sanchez, there has been a renaissance on the campus in regard to the new construction investments that are equally impressive and massive. They represent the future of teaching and learning. But, do the college’s operational systems, practices and resources match these new facilities? If not, we must find out what needs to change, what is missing, and what is simply outdated and needs to be replaced. This would be a perfect opportunity to not only engage current students, but also the many notable alumni that RIC has produced such as Lt. Governor Sabina Matos or Cranston City Councilwoman Lammis Vargas. Imagine if they all came back “to school” and helped the administration of RIC push forward?
RIC has so much to offer Rhode Island and the region. A RIC education is a significant piece of the puzzle to achieve the American Dream for many people like us and like you. Our sincerest hope is that we take this transition at RIC as an opportunity to position the college and all that it affordably offers boldly in front, and yes, that means in front of the state’s education agenda and plans where RIC belongs.
Sen. Sandra Cano, a Democrat, represents District 8 in Pawtucket. Rep. Karen Alzate, a Democrat, represents District 60 in Pawtucket and she received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Rhode Island College.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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