Annual Fall Reception and Colloquium

Russell Beauchemin - Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity and Networking

Roger Williams University

Russell Beauchemin is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a B.A. in English, minor in Chemistry. M.A. in Media Studies, and currently pursuing his PhD in Education at Lesley University (Spring ’23). Professor Beauchemin is Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity and Networking at Roger Williams University. He has a diverse academic background coupled with over 20 years of working in the field of Educational Technology and close to a decade of experience with teaching and instruction. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to everyone he meets and to every project he works on. His research interests include: Emerging technologies, Post-humanism, Virtual and augmented realities, Tele-presence robots, and rapid prototyping. In his spare time, Russell likes to travel the world, photograph space, read, volunteer, explore new territories in learning, and continue to push his own limits. 

James C. Rajotte, MS - Chief Strategy Officer

State of Rhode Island | Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Mr. Rajotte serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Within his role, James oversees the development of comprehensive strategies within three priority areas: (1) health system transformation, (2) addiction and behavioral health, and (2) community investments and prevention. In partnership with the Secretariat and its member agencies, James brings the lenses of race equity, community engagement, and choice to each strategy and strategic initiative. Current areas of focus include housing, adult behavioral health, post-pandemic recovery, and community resilience.

Most recently, James served as an Assistant Director of Health within the COVID-19 Epidemiological Operations Unit at the Rhode Island Department of Health where he led outbreak investigation and prevention for Healthcare, Government, Correctional, and Employer/Workplace settings. During this time, James automated outbreak detection, management, and response within the Salesforce case investigation and contact tracing system. In addition, James maintained his role as Chief of the Center for Health Promotion, overseeing programs responsible with preventing drug overdose, tobacco and vaping initiation, violence, youth suicide, rape, and injury—in addition to those focused on mental health first aid and traumatic brain injury. James also oversaw the State’s response to the Youth Vaping Epidemic.

Previously, James was the Deputy Director for Rhode Island’s State Innovation Model (SIM), where he and the SIM Interagency Team worked on transforming our healthcare system and improving population health. As a part of the SIM, James focused on developing the State’s Integrated Population Health Plan and aligning and integrating multi-sector/multi-agency initiatives to improve the health of Rhode Islanders. James actively participated in planning for healthcare workforce transformation as well as implemented the Community Health Team (CHT) and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) programs. He also coordinates evaluation activities between various SIM initiatives and served as the Department’s Performance Management Lead and was a member of Health Policy and Leadership.

Previously, James has worked at RIDOH since 2008 as a Health Policy Analyst running the Internal Planning Program for the Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response (CEPR). During his career, James has overseen internal plan development and maintenance, evaluation processes and coordination, and response system development and integration. An experienced public health practitioner, James served as Incident Commander and Planning Chief for the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic Response and other emergencies. Mr. Rajotte has also served a subject-matter expert for CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response serving as a Public Health Analyst for the Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation (OPPE). James’ role in OPPE included project collaboration on the expanded Measurement Framework, development of the National Health Security Preparedness Index (NHSPI), and design of CDC’s Microtasking Project.

James received two Bachelor's degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and he received his Masters of Science degree in Leadership at Roger Williams University. For fun, James enjoys traveling, running, cooking new recipes, and playing dominoes with his extended family. James’ Clifton Strengths are:

Futuristic- Individualization- Developer- Significance - Competition

Bradley Brown (Co-Recipient Academic Excellence in Leadership 2022)
Lieutenant, United States Coast Guard
Instructor of Nautical Science at the United States Coast Guard Academy

Bradley Brown is a native of and currently resides in North Kingstown, RI. Bradley is a recent graduated from Roger Williams University in 2022 with a Masters of Science in Leadership.

In 2015, Bradley graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Government and earned a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard. Following graduation, Bradley reported aboard Coast Guard Cutter STRATTON (WMSL 752) in Alameda, CA where he conducted various Coast Guard missions in the Eastern Pacific, Hawaiian, and Alaskan waters. In 2017 he moved up the coast to Crescent City, CA where he became the Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cutter DORADO (WPB 87306) conducting search and rescue, law and fisheries enforcement, and border security missions throughout the Californian coast. In July 2019 Bradley moved back to Rhode Island and began instructing in the Nautical Science Department at the Coast Guard Academy where he teaches the finer points of maritime operations, ship-driving, and navigation, and oversees the personal and professional development of cadets earning their own degrees and commissions. 

While assigned to teach, Bradley is a strong supporter of all sailing programs at the Academy, regularly volunteering time to coach the intercollegiate team, supervise offshore events, and develop cadet leadership in an at-sea environment. His most notable involvement includes being the person in charge of an Academy sailing vessel during the 650-mile 2022 Newport to Bermuda Ocean Race. He is in his final year of teaching at the Academy and will transfer back to the operational Coast Guard in the summer of 2023 to parts unknown at this time. 

Alexander Lucini (Co-Recipient Academic Excellence in Leadership 2022)
Assistant Executive Director
National Education Association of Rhode Island

Alexander Lucini graduated from Roger Williams University in 2022 with a Masters of Science in Leadership. Alexander earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education in 2009 from Rhode Island College. Alexander has completed numerous leadership programs including Leadership For a Future (2013), New Leaders Council (2017), Teach Plus Fellowship (2019) and is an Eagle Scout. 

Alexander served as a middle school music teacher in the Providence Public School System from 2009 to June of 2022. Over that time, his musical groups performed at many school, district, and state wide events.  A devout and passionate believer in strong public education systems, Alexander was an active member of the Providence Teachers Union, serving as a Building Representative, Committee on Political Education chair, Executive Board member, and as Treasurer for 9 years.  Upon earning his Master’s Degree at Roger Williams University, Alexander now serve as an Assistant Executive Director at the National Education Association of Rhode Island. Among his many influences, Alexander credits his friends, colleagues, and his love of punk rock music for making him the person he is today.  Alexander lives in Johnston, RI with his wife Danielle, and three children, Erica, Patrick, and Lillyann. 

Wendy Virgadamo (John W. Stout Outstanding MPA Student Award – 2022)
Grants and Financial Specialist, Epidemiology-Multidisciplinary Core
Brown School of Public Health

Wendy Virgadamo has worked at Brown University for 13 years. Ms. Virgadamo currently works as a Grants Administrator in the Epidemiology Department and manages federal and foundation research awards in the fields of international health, mindfulness and environmental health. These awards delve into the complex issues surrounding health disparities for minority and hidden populations both in the US and around the globe, and mental health strategies to overcome these disparities.

She is an active member of the Providence Meeting of Friends, and is a co-clerk of the Religious Education committee, helping to determine the teaching methods, strategies and curricula for the meeting's children. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, she taught pottery classes at a local non-profit and owned her own pottery business for many years prior to her work at Brown. Wendy graduated from Roger Williams University in 2022 with a Master’s in Public Administration.

Wendy is an activist for social justice, and regularly attends various advocacy events with her family. She loves to bike, and has participated in numerous charity rides over the years. Wendy currently lives with her husband and two children in Bristol, RI.

R.I. Chapter, ASPA Board Members

Dr. Michael L. Hall – President
Joshua Avila, MPA - Vice-President
Dr. Katrina H. Norvell – Treasurer / Secretary
Beth Flanagan, MPA – Council Member
Diana Imondi Guliotta, MPA – Council Member
Jody Jencks, MPA – Council Member
Nicole Tella, B.A. – Council Member