27-05-2025
Who are the two finalists for CCRI president?
The bigger picture:
Any time the interim president reaches the final two in a college presidential search, it's safe to assume they are the favorite (a similar situation
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Costigan has had a two-year audition in her role as interim president, and the council may prefer to take an 'if it ain't broke it, don't fix it' approach. She's been around CCRI for decades, has played a key role in helping improve its academic offerings, and has a firm understanding of the needs of Rhode Island's employers.
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But Reber has an impressive resume. He has led Hudson County Community College since 2018, and was named CEO of the year by the American Association of Community Colleges last year. He has helped implement a program called Hudson Scholars, which was designed to get students back on track following the COVID-19 pandemic and pays them up to $625 a semester to meet academic goals and connect with counselors.
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What's next:
Costigan and Reber will participate in forums with students, faculty, staff, and the college's alumni and foundation boards next week, and the council wants to name a permanent president by July 1.
This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you'd like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday,
Dan McGowan can be reached at
