National honors for 4 CCRI faculty for dedication to student success and academic excellence

Four CCRI Faculty Honored with NISOD Awards of Excellence

The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that four distinguished faculty members have been recognized with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. The recipients, honored for their exceptional dedication to student success and academic excellence, are:

• Paula Cardillo, Professor, Allied and Rehabilitative Health; Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Director (Resides in Cranston, RI)
• Matthew Ulricksen, Associate Professor, Social Sciences (Resides in Wakefield, RI)
• Rachel Blair Vogt, Assistant Professor, Reference Librarian (Resides in Westerly, RI)
• R. Scott Warila, Professor, Biology; Biotechnology Program Coordinator (Resides in Exeter, RI)

The NISOD Excellence Awards celebrate faculty, staff, and administrators at member colleges who make outstanding contributions to higher education. By recognizing these dedicated professionals, the awards promote a culture of excellence that benefits students, faculty, and the institution as a whole.

“These four faculty members exemplify the very best of CCRI’s commitment to academic excellence and student achievement,” said CCRI Interim President Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D. RN. “Their dedication, passion, and innovation in teaching and service have had a profound impact on our students and their futures. We are incredibly proud of their well-earned recognition and grateful for their continued contributions to our college community.”

Each of the honorees has demonstrated exceptional commitment to their fields and to CCRI’s mission. Professor Paula Cardillo has been instrumental in shaping the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, ensuring students receive hands-on, high-quality training. Associate Professor Matthew Ulricksen, a leader in the Social Sciences Department, engages students through critical discussions and launched the Brown Bag Lunch and Lecture Series to enrich campus dialogue. Assistant Professor Rachel Vogt provides invaluable support as a reference librarian, guiding students in research and information literacy. Professor R. Scott Warila, as the Biotechnology Program Coordinator, has advanced CCRI’s role in preparing students for careers in the life sciences.

“These four faculty members have done extraordinary work at the college, are committed to teaching excellence and have played a transformative role in the lives of our students,” said Barbara J. Nauman, M.B.A., Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The honorees will be celebrated at NISOD’s annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence in Austin TX, May 25 – 28, where educators from across the country gather to share best practices and advance the mission of community college education.

About CCRI

With a passionate commitment to students, CCRI provides Rhode Islanders with an outstanding college education that leads to strong learning outcomes, successful postsecondary credential attainment, and robust labor market outcomes. With four campuses across Rhode Island, CCRI offers online, hybrid, and in-person options for students, meeting them where they are and helping them achieve their educational and career goals. For more information, please visit ccri.edu.