RIC Administrator and 5 Alum Among PBN’s 40 Under Forty Honorees

RIC Assistant Vice President for Adult and Online Education Miko Nino has been honored as one of Providence Business News’ (PBN’s) 40 Under Forty. These are individuals recognized for their career achievements and community involvements.

As administrator of RIC’s Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) program as well as an adjunct faculty member within this program, Nino brings almost two decades of expertise in the areas of instructional design, online learning and professional development.

As a practitioner, he has led the strategic planning for online learning and emergency remote teaching for higher education institutions and coached and trained hundreds of faculty members in topics related to instructional design and online learning. 

At RIC, his work includes the design, development and launch of online programs at the undergraduate, graduate and continuing education levels.

His work and research have been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.

He states, “I am beyond honored to receive this award. For me, it is a validation and recognition of the impact that online learning can have in transforming the lives of learners – particularly adults. Being named one of PBN’s 40 Under Forty has inspired me to continue working toward the access and improvement of adult and online education. It is a ‘thank you’ to everyone who has been part of my professional journey during the past 18 years.”

Nino earned his Ph.D. in instructional design and technology from Virginia Tech, his M.A. in instructional systems development from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and his B.A. in international business from Lindenwood University.

Five RIC alumni are also among this year’s 40 Under Forty:

• Melissa Bouchard ’07, cofounder of Fusion3 Consulting
• Shana DeFelice ’08, M.S.W. ’10, programs and mission impact director for Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island
• Jeffrey Heath, PhD. ’17, principal of Portsmouth High School
• Daniel Pereira ’17, lead director of MinuteClinic Innovation and Operations at CVS Health 
• Kaleigh Perkins ’14, M.S.W. ’17, chief operating officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island

Rhode Island College extends its congratulations to this year’s PBN 40 Under Forty.