Rhode Island Council Confirms Rosemary Costigan Permanent CCRI President

Rosemary Costigan has been unanimously confirmed as the permanent president of the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) after serving as interim president since 2023. She is the first CCRI alumna and the second woman to lead the state’s only public community college, having outpaced 43 other candidates in a nationwide search. Costigan's leadership during the post-COVID era included overseeing a successful once-in-a-decade accreditation process and launching programs such as CCRI Advantage to support students with developmental needs. Under her tenure, CCRI’s three-year graduation rate doubled to 30%, and fall-to-spring student retention rose from 80% to 85%. Her experience as a former nursing professor and vice president for academic affairs contributed to strong praise from officials who highlighted her deep knowledge of the institution and vision for its future. Costigan’s appointment marks a significant milestone for CCRI and is expected to continue elevating the college, its faculty, and students.