We celebrated a truly special colleague, Beth Bailey, as she begins a well-deserved retirement after more than a decade of dedicated service to the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner.
Beth’s commitment, professionalism, kindness, and unwavering support have made a lasting impact on RIOPC and on so many who have had the privilege of working alongside her. Her contributions over the years are deeply valued, but even more so is the wonderful person behind them.
Beth, thank you for all you have given to RIOPC, for the difference you have made, and for being such a valued part of our team. You will be greatly missed.
As you begin this new chapter, we wish you and your family all the very best. Congratulations on your retirement, Beth, and thank you for everything.
Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner is hiring a director of communications. This role directs communications activities for OPC, the Council on Postsecondary Education, and three workforce centers.
Learn more about the position and how to apply.
riopc.edu/jobs/director-of-c…
Our education in Westerly is hiring a senior information technologist to perform complex technical support for our minicomputers, networks, virtual desktops, and telecommunications systems. If this sounds great to you, apply at riopc.edu/jobs/senior-inform…?
Thank you @RepGabeAmo for your support of our mission and for all that you do to support workforce training in RI.
RIOPC retweeted
Investing in our health care workers is investing in Rhode Island.
Celebrated the opening of the Woonsocket Education Center CNA Lab, which will help expand the Certified Nurse Assistant workforce and make health care careers more accessible for Rhode Islanders. – at Woonsocket, RI
Woonsocket Ed Center punches above its weight and it's having a real impact in northern RI's education and workforce training environment. Congratulations to @jdolsoncrowley and her team.
Celebrating our new CNA teaching lab with friends! @jdolsoncrowley, Congressman @gabeamo, Lt. Gov @Sabina_Matos, Mayor Chris Beauchamp, Woonsocket City Councilwoman ValerieGonzalez and a special shout-out to Champlin Foundation and @RI_DLT for their support.
RI is creating a system that will support postsecondary training providers; employers who are facing workforce shortages; and students who want to access their federal Pell money for shorter-term training that lead to excellent jobs. Stay tuned!
Commisioner Gilkey's observations on new federal aid program noted in @insidehighered @swgilk23
/www.insidehighered.com/news/government/state-policy/2026/08/07/states-wrestle-data-and-program-tweaks-access-workforce
The biggest little state in the union had a big presence in Chicago this week at @SHEEOed higher ed policy conference. Andrea Spargo was presented with the prestigious Wright Award, and Commissioner @swgilk23 and @oreyesRIC spoke on panels with local (@nebhe) and national colleagues.
Dr. Gilkey is an expert on higher education and workforce devepment, particularly on creating pipelines from college to well-paying jobs. The recruitment and retention of teachers is a critical issue here and everywhere.
By 2027, over 70% of American jobs will require a credential or degree beyond a high school diploma. Moderator Jessica Taketa of @Arnold_Ventures is joined by Higher Education Commissioners Dr. Shannon Gilkey (@HigherEdRI) and Dr. Kim Hunter Reed (@KimHunterReed) to talk about attainment goals. Keep tuned in for unique insights. #HKFellows
Congratulations, Andrea! A well-deserved honor and we're so happy for you! #SHEEO26
Andrea Spargo carries forward David Wright’s legacy with thoughtfulness and dedication - demonstrating the very qualities this award celebrates. Congratulations @HigherEdRI on an excellent employee. #SHEEO26
RIOPC retweeted
Deadline Approaching: Wavemaker Applications
Rhode Islanders working in the STEM, design, healthcare, or teaching fields are eligible to apply for the Wavemaker program to help defray the cost of student loans. Applicants may receive up to $6,000 per year in refundable tax credits for up to four years.
Deadline to apply: Friday, July 31, 2026.
Learn more and apply today: wavemaker.commerceri.com/
Looking to hire a finance assistant for @WesterlyEdCntr, responsible for providing financial and operational support and a variety of clerical & fiscal duties involving financial record-keeping and completing transactions relating to accounts payable, accounts receivable, and purchasing. riopc.edu/jobs/finance-assis…
Big upgrades ahead at RI colleges: The General Assembly approved bond initiatives to address key higher education needs at our Rhode Island colleges. This November, voters will see ballot questions to support much needed new student success centers at RIC and a new Workforce Innovation Center at CCRI
The Hope Scholarship at Rhode Island College is continuing—helping students attend their junior and senior years tuition-free. The legislature this session extended the program through 2033! It’s a big step toward making higher ed more affordable, better tailored to student post-graduate success and building a stronger workforce. Thank you to the Governor McKee and legislators for their support.
We are happy to welcome 2 members to the Council on Postseecondary Education: Alan Tenreiro, Ed. D. & Arthur Paul Petrosinelli, Ed.D. Collectively they bring 25 years of educational leadership & teaching experience, & their perspectives will be valuable in shaping public policy
Congratulations to our colleague Andrea Spargo for this tremendous honor!
The David L. Wright Award goes to Andrea Spargo, a Research Specialist, at the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner. Andrea’s expertise in translating complex data into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences has been invaluable to her state. @HigherEdRI
