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The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island (AICU Rhode Island) warmly welcomes Luke Thompson as the new Communications, Policy, and Member Relations Assistant. He previously served as AICU Rhode Island’s inaugural Communications and Policy Summer Fellow. The membership looks forward to his continued contributions to the Association’s efforts.

Prior to working at AICU Rhode Island, Luke received a Masters of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 2017, serving as a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan upon graduation. Born and raised in Rhode Island and a graduate of two independent institutions of higher education, Luke is passionate about the role our sector plays in his home state and looks forward to the work ahead.

The AICU Rhode Island board and staff congratulate Rev. Kenneth Sicard, O.P. on his selection as the next President of Providence College! The board looks forward to his much-anticipated contributions to the Association’s efforts.

Father Sicard currently serves as Executive Vice President and Treasurer of Providence College and will succeed Rev. Brian Shanley as the college’s thirteenth president when his term begins on July 1, 2020. He also served as interim President when Rev. Shanley took a six-month sabbatical in 2018. Rev. Sicard is a 1978 graduate of Providence College, then earning a masters in business administration from the college in 1982. Rev. Sicard was co-chair to all three recent strategic planning commissions at Providence, and his vision is welcomed in the changing world of higher education.

The AICU Rhode Island board and staff congratulate Dr. Ross Gittell on his selection as the next President of Bryant University! The board looks forward to his much-anticipated contributions to the Association’s efforts.

Dr. Gittell has served as the Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) since 2012 and will succeed Ronald Machtley as the Bryant’s ninth president when his term begins on July 1, 2020.Dr. Gittell is highly regarded in economic and policy circles for his economic analysis and forecasting. With an extensive background in university teaching, strategic planning, and management, Gittell’s focus has been on applying economic, organizational, and management theory to regional, state, and community economic development issues.