Developing Young Leaders
Applications are due Friday for students interested in College Leadership RI, a program sponsored by Fidelity Investments that teaches college students to be change agents.
The final semester for 2009 graduate John Crisafulli included quite a few eye-opening experiences.
On one Friday afternoon, he took on the title of state senator – at least for a day – and debated a bill in the Rhode Island Senate Chambers. On another day, he visited Crossroads RI, a local homeless shelter, to see firsthand the causes and effects of homelessness on individuals and the community.
These experiences were made possible through College Leadership Rhode Island (CLRI), a program that brings together students from colleges and universities in Rhode Island to learn about issues affecting the state. The Fidelity-sponsored program is conducted by Leadership Rhode Island, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization with nearly 30 years of experience equipping leaders with the resources to make a difference in their communities. (Learn more about Leadership Rhode Island.)
“CLRI is a great opportunity to step out of the comfort of campus life and get to know the state around you,” says Crisafulli, director of volunteerism and public relations for WaterFire Providence. “It provides a forum to discuss issues such as healthcare, poverty, and education and develop ways to work towards solutions.”
Recognized by his peers for his commitment to the program, Crisafulli was chosen by his classmates to deliver a speech during the graduation at the State House.
Bryant is seeking interested upperclassmen to take part in next CLRI program, which begins in January. Juniors or seniors who plan on living in Rhode Island or Southeastern Massachusetts are encouraged to apply. Applications are available in the Amica Center for Career Education and are due by Friday, October 23.
“Participating in College Leadership Rhode Island will deepen our students’ knowledge and understanding of community-based problem solving,” says Judy Clare, director of the Amica Center for Career Education. She is a graduate of the Leadership Rhode Island Program and is involved in planning CLRI. “This will provide our state with informed and committed leaders who have the potential to become change agents within Rhode Island.”
Influencing change
Over the first six years of the program, 12 Bryant students have taken part in CLRI. The program, which meets one Friday afternoon each month from January to April, takes place at locations around the state. Nearly 130 college students from around Rhode Island have taken part in CLRI.
One of these participants, Leidy Olivo ’09, who took part in the program in 2008, was attracted by the opportunity to enhance her leadership skills and network with students from around the state.
Olivo, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in finance and marketing, most enjoyed the session at Fidelity Investments, which explored the responsibility that businesses have to support their communities.
“Personally, I feel that success isn’t always measured by financial means, but also by the positive contributions that can be made in our society,” says Olivo.
Rob Hamlin ’06, a software engineer at Fidelity Investments, was the first Bryant student to graduate from the program in 2004. He has stayed involved ever since as a presenter and a planning committee member.
“Through CLRI, I came to the realization that as students and young leaders, we can make a big difference in our communities and help create and influence change,” says Hamlin.
Building a network
Nicholas Restivo ’07 learned about the program from his dad, who is a Leadership Rhode Island graduate. The younger Restivo took part in the program in 2006 to learn more about the state that he has called home his entire life.
“CLRI helped give me a broader understanding of the state’s goals and what they are doing to accomplish them,” he says. “The best part of the program, from a career perspective, is the opportunity to network with so many people at a young age.”
After graduating, Joe Hansen ’06, a 2005 CLRI program participant, relocated to Florida where he was elected president of Connect Florida, a statewide young professionals group that is part of Leadership Florida.
He encourages the next Bryant students who take part in CLRI to make the most of the unique opportunity. “In CLRI, the things you are going to experience are valuable for your life and career,” says Hansen, an account executive at Profile Marketing and Public Relations in Boynton Beach, FL. “The program will give you a great appreciation for Rhode Island, its rich history, and diverse population.”
Kathy Swann, president and CEO of Leadership Rhode Island, says CLRI prepares students to make the transition from passionate students to active citizens and employees.
“The program is a way to help civic-minded and engaged college students transfer their skills and involvement to the greater community as they graduate and enter the workforce,” says “This also encourages the best and the brightest students to stay in Rhode Island after graduation, because they have a network of like-minded colleagues and a sense for the challenges and opportunities in the state.”
On one Friday afternoon, he took on the title of state senator – at least for a day – and debated a bill in the Rhode Island Senate Chambers. On another day, he visited Crossroads RI, a local homeless shelter, to see firsthand the causes and effects of homelessness on individuals and the community.
These experiences were made possible through College Leadership Rhode Island (CLRI), a program that brings together students from colleges and universities in Rhode Island to learn about issues affecting the state. The Fidelity-sponsored program is conducted by Leadership Rhode Island, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization with nearly 30 years of experience equipping leaders with the resources to make a difference in their communities. (Learn more about Leadership Rhode Island.)
“CLRI is a great opportunity to step out of the comfort of campus life and get to know the state around you,” says Crisafulli, director of volunteerism and public relations for WaterFire Providence. “It provides a forum to discuss issues such as healthcare, poverty, and education and develop ways to work towards solutions.”
Recognized by his peers for his commitment to the program, Crisafulli was chosen by his classmates to deliver a speech during the graduation at the State House.
Bryant is seeking interested upperclassmen to take part in next CLRI program, which begins in January. Juniors or seniors who plan on living in Rhode Island or Southeastern Massachusetts are encouraged to apply. Applications are available in the Amica Center for Career Education and are due by Friday, October 23.
“Participating in College Leadership Rhode Island will deepen our students’ knowledge and understanding of community-based problem solving,” says Judy Clare, director of the Amica Center for Career Education. She is a graduate of the Leadership Rhode Island Program and is involved in planning CLRI. “This will provide our state with informed and committed leaders who have the potential to become change agents within Rhode Island.”
Influencing change
Over the first six years of the program, 12 Bryant students have taken part in CLRI. The program, which meets one Friday afternoon each month from January to April, takes place at locations around the state. Nearly 130 college students from around Rhode Island have taken part in CLRI.
One of these participants, Leidy Olivo ’09, who took part in the program in 2008, was attracted by the opportunity to enhance her leadership skills and network with students from around the state.
Olivo, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in finance and marketing, most enjoyed the session at Fidelity Investments, which explored the responsibility that businesses have to support their communities.
“Personally, I feel that success isn’t always measured by financial means, but also by the positive contributions that can be made in our society,” says Olivo.
Rob Hamlin ’06, a software engineer at Fidelity Investments, was the first Bryant student to graduate from the program in 2004. He has stayed involved ever since as a presenter and a planning committee member.
“Through CLRI, I came to the realization that as students and young leaders, we can make a big difference in our communities and help create and influence change,” says Hamlin.
Building a network
Nicholas Restivo ’07 learned about the program from his dad, who is a Leadership Rhode Island graduate. The younger Restivo took part in the program in 2006 to learn more about the state that he has called home his entire life.
“CLRI helped give me a broader understanding of the state’s goals and what they are doing to accomplish them,” he says. “The best part of the program, from a career perspective, is the opportunity to network with so many people at a young age.”
After graduating, Joe Hansen ’06, a 2005 CLRI program participant, relocated to Florida where he was elected president of Connect Florida, a statewide young professionals group that is part of Leadership Florida.
He encourages the next Bryant students who take part in CLRI to make the most of the unique opportunity. “In CLRI, the things you are going to experience are valuable for your life and career,” says Hansen, an account executive at Profile Marketing and Public Relations in Boynton Beach, FL. “The program will give you a great appreciation for Rhode Island, its rich history, and diverse population.”
Kathy Swann, president and CEO of Leadership Rhode Island, says CLRI prepares students to make the transition from passionate students to active citizens and employees.
“The program is a way to help civic-minded and engaged college students transfer their skills and involvement to the greater community as they graduate and enter the workforce,” says “This also encourages the best and the brightest students to stay in Rhode Island after graduation, because they have a network of like-minded colleagues and a sense for the challenges and opportunities in the state.”
