RIC President Frank Sánchez Awarded for Advancing Educational Equality

It is clear that Sánchez has embodied these ideals throughout his young presidency at RIC. When he first came to the college nine months ago, Sánchez sought to learn about the institution’s culture, its strengths and its challenges.

After many conversations and observations with students, faculty, staff and alumni, one reality began to emerge: “RIC’s identity and character, often led by our students, is not defined by others’ background, income, race, ethnicity or gender,” he said. His emphasis will be on ensuring that Rhode Island College continues to be a welcoming place for all students. One of his early initiatives was to establish the First-in-Family Fund to help first-generation college students achieve their dreams.

Office of Community, Equity and Diversity

This new office created by the president places greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion at Rhode Island College and aims to centralize and integrate the efforts of RIC’s Unity Center, Disability Services Center, Women’s Center, International Student Services and Interfaith Center. Led by Anna Cano Morales, associate vice president for community, equity and diversity, the office interfaces regularly with college leadership to ensure that active and viable diversity and community initiatives are being developed and implemented across all divisions.

“People want to talk about diversity and they also want action,” said Cano-Morales. “There is a healthy appetite for change that is shared by students and faculty alike. My first three months on campus have been reassuring that the important equity and inclusion work ahead will be foundational and will lead RIC to become a national model for social justice.”

An important distinction of the office is the addition of a director of institutional equity – Margaret Lynch-Gadaleta – who serves as educator, trainer and spokesperson on issues of access, equity, opportunity and Title IX. Prioritizing these critical areas, Lynch-Gadaleta is responsible for Title IX and affirmative action compliance, investigations, policies and implementing best practices across the college. 

President’s Commission on Inclusive Excellence

Seeking guidance from the Rhode Island community, Sánchez recently assembled a Commission on Inclusive Excellence, a group of leaders around the state who were carefully selected for their expertise and experience in the areas of diversity and inclusion. Commission members provide a sounding board for RIC’s administration and will serve as an advisory board for the college going forward.

“Inclusive excellence is an active process”

Sánchez has made inclusive excellence a central pillar in Rhode Island College’s 2020 Strategic Action Plan and a key component of his recent inaugural address.

“Inclusive excellence is an active process,” he said. “It is not a distinct initiative that is separate from our other planning efforts. We will advance inclusive excellence across all areas as part of an institutional transformation.”

Clearly, Sanchez has positioned himself in the forefront of the fight for education equity.