RWU School of Continuing Studies Formalizes Partnership with RI Latino Civic Fund
Partnership will provide programs and resources to the State’s growing Latino population
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Roger Williams University School of Continuing Studies and the Rhode Island Latino Civic Fund today announced a new partnership that will enhance collaborative opportunities, as well as provide university-supported resources to the RILCF and its efforts to provide inclusive civic education and political participation among the Ocean State’s Latino population.
“Roger Williams University is a private institution committed to serving the public good,” said Roger Williams University President Donald J. Farish. “Our partnership with the Latino Civic Fund speaks directly to our commitment to expand our innovative adult education initiatives through the School of Continuing Studies to help thousands of Rhode Islanders develop the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce and improve their quality of life.”
Going forward, the R.I. Latino Civic Fund will operate out of RWU’s new Providence Campus at One Empire Plaza. The colocation will increase synergies between RICLF and the School of Continuing Studies, including programming to be developed around the Latina Leadership Institute – an initiative launched in 2003 that empowers women from all walks of life to sharpen their leadership skills and facilitate community management. There are currently more than 300 LLI alumnae, including prominent community leaders, business owners and elected officials. These graduates will be eligible for discounted tuition on enrollment in School of Continuing Studies programs for the duration of the partnership.
“Through this partnership, Latinos in Rhode Island will now have greater access to higher education, workforce training and community partnerships. The result will be a broader network with which to share their talents and to learn new skills in order to build stronger communities,” said José Batista, president of the Latino Civic Fund. “I am grateful to Roger Williams University for taking a leadership role in fostering relationships with the Latino community in Rhode Island. I look forward to working with RWU in the coming years and am confident our partnership will foster growth and progress not only for the Latino community, but for all Rhode Islanders."
The new partnership highlights the School of Continuing Studies’ ongoing efforts to remove barriers to education and community development while supporting the needs of multicultural communities with personalized educational and professional development opportunities.
“The School of Continuing Studies is committed to working in collaboration with community- based organizations and municipalities to remove barriers to education and workforce development and help a greater population of individuals take the next steps towards their career goals,” said RWU School of Continuing Studies Dean Jamie Scurry. “ Through our partnership with the Latino Civic Fund we will work collaboratively to meet the needs of people at all stages in their educational journey – recent high school graduates, current high school students interested in earing college credit and working adults who want to acquire new skills to help them move forward in their careers.”