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RIC Students Are Positioning Themselves for Leadership

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Faces of each of the six Leadership RI students from RIC
Rhode Island College Impact

Each year, Leadership Rhode Island invests in the personal and professional growth of young leaders. Seven of RIC’s students will be participating this year.

By Gita Brown

This fall​ seven RIC students were among 49 selected for the Leadership Rhode Island’s College Program. This is an academic, year-long program designed to prepare them for professional life. 

They are (top row, from left):

  • Micaela Furtado is a junior metalsmithing and jewelry major.
  • Octavian Goncalves is a senior finance major.
  • Kennedy Ryan is a communications major, with a concentration in advertising.

(bottom row, from left):

  • Shreena Patel, a freshman biology major.
  • Angela Pierre-Louis, a sophomore biochemistry major.
  • Christian Ortiz-Blanco, a junior computer science major.
  • Jacklyn Xavier, a senior marketing major.

From September through May, these students will develop​​ leadership skills; learn how to develop professional networks; and explore careers in the nonprofit, private, public and philanthropic sectors. They will cover​ such topics as​ what today’s companies look for when hiring, the ins and outs of networking, the etiquette code and exploring ​Rhode Island’s nonprofit landscape.

​Upon completion of the program, the seven will join 2,500-plus alumni with whom long-term personal and professional connections are created.

“I’m looking forward to networking with leaders throughout Rhode Island and building relationships within my field,” said Ryan. “I’m also hoping to broaden​ my​ leadership skills and to ​make​​ some lifelong associations.”

“Through this program, I’ll be able to build on my strengths,” adds Furtado. ​​“I really want to leave a mark.”

Participants in the program are selected on the basis of their passion for the people and future of Rhode Island, their personal commitment to shape the future of Rhode Island, their past and present activities that exhibit this commitment, their leadership on campus and their desire to extend their leadership influence and professional network, while supporting the leadership and stewardship of Rhode Island.