Current Alumni and Honor Role Award Recipients

Alumni and Honor Roll awards are a long-standing tradition at Rhode Island College. These awards foster lasting connections with our alumni while also recognizing their personal and professional achievements.

2024 Alumni Award Honorees

The Alumni Awards are presented annually to graduates and community leaders who bring honor upon themselves and the College. Their personal and professional achievements and service aid the community, Rhode Island College and/or the Alumni Association.

John Nazarian Alumna of the Year

Sharon Galloway ’87 ’03 M.Ed. ’10 M.S.N.

Sharon Hall Galloway is a three-time degree recipient at RIC and a constant presence at the college over the past 37 years.

Since graduating from RIC with her bachelor’s degree in 1987, Galloway’s professional career has spanned across nursing practice settings – from veteran centric care and gerontology to faith-community and school nursing.

Her career expanded into secondary education, where she taught a Health Careers program for 13 years. She teaches across both the undergraduate and graduate programs within the School of Nursing.

Her pedagogy promotes student engagement, and her research, publications, and procurement of grants support innovative and meaningful learning experiences within the nursing curriculum. She’s consistently involved in college and School of Nursing committees such as participating with new student orientation and as a team mentor for athletes.

As the current undergraduate Chairperson in the Onanian School of Nursing, Galloway is committed to improving processes that create healthy teaching and learning environments for faculty and students.

Watch Sharon's Alumni Award Video

Charles B. Willard Achievement Award

Dante Bellini, Jr. ‘80

Dante Bellini, Jr. is a former principal of RDW Group, a creative and production company with offices in Providence and Boston. behind hundreds of projects that have garnered multiple Emmy, Telly, Bell Ringer and Hatch awards for Bellini.

Now retired, Bellini has delved into documentary filmmaking, establishing Hooligan Film Productions (the name inspired by his 29 nieces and nephews) in 2020. His first solo feature was an Emmy-nominated short and Silver Telly Award winner titled, Ken Burns - Here & There. It’s an intimate look at the life of Burns and can be viewed on PBS and worldwide on BBC. Bellini also created a documentary about the popular chain of Benny’s stores headquartered in Rhode Island that closed in 2017.

Earlier this year Bellini received the prestigious Producer’s Circle Award from The Rhode Island International Film Festival. He currently has two independent films in production and several others in development. 

Watch Dante's Alumni Award Video

Alumni Faculty Award

Thomas Schmeling

A professor in Rhode Island College’s Political Science Department since 2001, Schmeling teaches courses on law and the courts. His research and writing centers mainly on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Schmeling served nine years as chair of the Political Science Department and directed the Bachelor of General Studies major from 2004 to 2014. Since 2015 he’s been responsible for overseeing Liberal Studies majors. He has been the pre-law advisor for the college over the past eight years.

Schmeling has also been an active and dedicated member of the faculty’s union. He served two terms as the chair of the Council of Rhode Island College and has been vice-chair for the last three years. For seven years he’s been chair of the RIC/AFT Committee on Political Education and a member of the AFT Executive Committee for four years.

Among his community initiatives, Schmeling was co-founder of the East Side Public Education Association and was co-president of the Nathan Bishop Middle School PTO and as an officer of the Summit Neighborhood Association.

Watch Thomas' Alumni Award Video

Alumni Service Award

Anne Sliney ‘87

Sliney, a RIC Bachelor of Nursing graduate, has been an influential figure on the local, national and international scene regarding the care of people living with HIV/AIDS.

In 2004, Sliney was hired by the Clinton Health Access Initiative to work with governments in low-income countries as they scaled up the diagnosis and treatment of HIV-positive clients. She became the chief nursing officer and served in that role for 10 years. She was lauded for working with nurses throughout the world to strengthen their capacity to care for HIV patients.

One of Sliney’s presentations for Clinton Health stressed that as developing countries integrate HIV and tuberculosis prevention and treatment services into primary health care services, the role of professional nurses becomes critical to the success of such efforts.

Sliney, now retired from Clinton Health, is currently an adjunct faculty member in the Zvart Onanian School of Nursing and serves as the vice-president of the Rhode Island College Foundation.

Watch Anne's Alumni Award Video

Alumni Staff Award

Rob Ferland ‘05

As the operations manager for Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts at Rhode Island College, Ferland has been working at a prodigious pace producing more than 1,000 events during his 18-year tenure.

Ferland’s work in lighting design spans a range of artistic genres, including dance, drama, musical theatre, and corporate events throughout Rhode Island and Southern New England. He’s collaborated with a diverse array of artists including RIC’s own Angelica Cardente-Vessella, Jessica Pearson and William Wilson.

His work is a testament to his artistic versatility and technical prowess, which consistently results in awe-inspiring and visually stunning performances.  

Ferland is also a consultant and designer at Advanced Production & Design, where he’s worked for 11 years.

Beyond his professional achievements, Rob is active in the community, serving as vice president of the Providence Ballet Theatre, a 501(c)(3) organization. He has been a key figure since the inception of the theatre, whose mission is to bring the arts to children who lack access elsewhere.

Watch Rob's Alumni Award Video

Young Alumni Award

Alexis Rogel ‘15

Rogel, who was appointed in August to become Director for Academic Operations and Policy in Rhode Island College’s Office of the Provost, graduated from RIC in January 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Gender & Women’s Studies. In the position she is overseeing graduate studies policy, dual enrollment Study Abroad, among other programming.

As a commuter student who worked throughout her time at RIC, Rogel wasn’t always the most connected to the campus. However, she credits RIC faculty and staff for making her tenure at the college enriching.

Previously, Rogel has served as a staff member since 2015 in the Title IX/Sexual Assault Policies, Graduate Studies, and Academic Affairs offices. In 2021 she earned a Master of Art in Gender & Cultural Studies at Simmons University.

As a member of the provost’s administrative team, Rogel is often the first contact for academic concerns, questions and queries. She has improved processes and documentation within the division to better serve students and faculty. A staunch advocate for transparency, accountability and best practices, Rogel is open about her experiences as a student and promotes a student-centered focus to every discussion.

Watch Lexi's Alumni Award Video

2024 Honor Roll Recipients

The Honor Roll Awards recognize graduates of each Rhode Island College school who have brought honor to the college by distinguished achievement in their field. The nominees are role models whose success demonstrates the value of a Rhode Island College degree.

Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Kellie Brownlow ‘98

Brownlow is the Chief Mission Officer for First Step Staffing, the largest light industrial nonprofit staffing company in the country. In this role, Brownlow leads development, client services, marketing and communications.

Before First Step, Brownlow served as the Executive Director for the Georgia Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and the Deputy to the Chairman of Cobb County, where she played an integral role in building the Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park stadium and the Battery. She also worked as the division chief of government services for the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Brownlow earned her bachelor’s degree from RIC in communication and political science. She earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia. She lives in Decatur, Ga. with her husband Rick and teen daughters Libbie and Mollie.

Ann Gancz Teixeira ‘82

Ann Gancz Teixeira is a lawyer, a librarian, and a docent. Currently, with the Rhode Island Secretary of State in the State House, Gancz Teixeira enjoys giving tours and sharing the history of Rhode Island with school groups and adult visitors. She receives rave reviews for her tours which began when she was chosen to be a tour guide at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

A native of Bristol, Rhode Island, she entered Rhode Island College in 1978 to be a history teacher. Gancz Teixeira worked in the Political Science Department and became close to several professors who helped her get accepted to law school.

Upon graduation from RIC, she received the John H. Chafee Award. For 30 years she was married to the late attorney Armand Teixeira who was the wind beneath her wings and encouraged her in everything she did.

Brittney Peauwe Wunnepog Walley ‘13

As a proud member of the Nipmuc Tribe, Walley has followed in the footsteps of her father Bradley Big Tree Walley and uncle Henry (Hank) Sly Fox Walley in their capacities as medicine people.

In 2024 Walley earned an M.S.in Critical Ethnic Community Studies with a concentration in Historical Archaeology from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a B.A. in sociology with minors in Philosophy and Business Management from Rhode Island College.

Walley also excels as a traditional weaver with works showcased at the Concord Museum, Mystic Seaport Museum, Mead Art Museum, Roger Williams Museum, and Dover Street Marketplace.

She is currently co-curating an exhibit at the Concord Museum, where she serves as an Indigenous Archaeology Curatorial Intern focusing on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Feinstein School of Education & Human Development

Armand Pires ’95 ’12 Ph.D.

Pires is a proud alumnus of Rhode Island College where he earned a B.S. in Community Health Education and a Ph.D. in Philosophy. He also earned a Master of Public Health from Boston University.

Since 2015 he has served as superintendent of the Medway Public Schools. Previous roles included assistant superintendent, director of curriculum, middle school principal, and middle and high school teacher in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Pires is dedicated to improving the lives of students and particularly focused on making improvements in student mental health. He has co-authored a book on this topic, scheduled for publication in early 2025. Under Pires’ leadership, Medway Public Schools was one of four U.S. school districts selected in February to participate in a Mental Health Collaborative that aims to support mental wellness of students across the country.

As the current president of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Pires is recognized as a leader among his peers. He has contributed to the field through speaking engagements, published articles and a book on superintendent leadership.

Onanian School of Nursing

Aicesha Monteiro ‘00

Monteiro is an experienced nurse with transformational leadership skills. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership from the University of Mount Olive and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rhode Island College.

Monteiro has certifications in Medical/Surgical Nursing and Nurse Manager Leadership. She has held various nursing and leadership roles throughout her career at Duke University Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital.

Her recent work includes serving as a Strategic Service Associate for Accreditation and Regulatory Affairs, conducting scholarly research on the use of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Monteiro’s mission is to continue sharing knowledge while mentoring, empowering and inspiring future nurses in the process.

School of Business

Kris Wetterland Jr. ‘13

Wetterland graduated from RIC with a B.S. degree in Computer Information Systems. He earned a M.S. degree in Information Technology from Southern New Hampshire University.

In 2012 Wetterland began working for Fidelity Investments as a key contributor to multiple internet technology disciplines. He led teams focused on modernizing data platforms and migrating legacy platforms. He was a pivotal member of a team that launched a new mobile application in 2021 and is currently leading another team that’s building out an Institutional Digital Assets platform.

In 2018 Wetterland returned to RIC as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business. He has also been active in his community as a volunteer firefighter and EMT cardiac for 14 years, responding to thousands of emergency incidents in Bristol and Warren.

School of Social Work

Briana Depointe ‘17

At the core of Depointe is a passion for social justice, empathy and empowerment. After graduating with her B.S.W. in 2017 and an M.S.W. in 2020, those values continue to be at the forefront of her professional career.

Depointe has poured back into the community by utilizing her macro skillset to create a fully integrated, socially and emotionally responsive culture within a local school district. Her dedication has influenced a larger network of schools focused on anti-racist education in Rhode Island, New York and Connecticut.

Depointe also serves marginalized communities within the medical system as the chair of the Social Justice & Health Equity Committee for Lifespan. In addition to transforming traditional settings known for disenfranchised people of color, Depointe has committed to the profession by hosting multiple social work interns from Rhode Island College over the past four years.