Student Excellence 2024-2025 Highlights

We have one goal: To prepare students to become a well-informed global citizen with the knowledge, flexibility, and skills required to flourish in a rapidly evolving world. No matter the chosen area of study, we invite students to explore what fascinates them, to delve into unknown worlds, to think critically, to question the status quo, to synthesize complex problems, to listen to others, to challenge their own opinions, and to communicate effectively. The following students were exemplary of these values we hold as an institution and we look forward to their future success.

Sophia Buono ’25

Majors: Political Science, Philosophy, and Criminology and Criminal Justice

Buono became the president of the Mock Trial Club and her dedication led to the group partnering with other legal organizations on campus and became the first public University in Rhode Island to compete regionally in the American Mock Trial Association Tournament.

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Korali Kouadio ’25

Majors: Engineering and Japanese

As part of the International Engineering Program, Kouadio passed the Japanese language N1 proficiency exam—the most challenging level for non-native speakers. With that level of skill learning multiple languages (English, Spanish, and French), she achieved a level of proficiency not seen before in URI’s Japanese program.

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Carrie Sullivan ’25

Majors: Music Therapy and Spanish

Sullivant completed a student fellowship where she created the “Language Learning and Neurodiversity Toolkit” which provides practical and thoughtful arguments as to why learning a new language should be accessible to all students. After receiving her certification, she plans to conduct clinical research and demonstrate the efficacy of music therapy in neurodivergent populations.

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Justin Cournoyer ’25

Majors: Political Science and Criminal Justice and Criminology

Cournoyer exemplifies what it means to be a dynamic student with his involvement as a teaching assistant, researcher, and National Guardsman. Post-graduation, he plans to pursue law school with the goal of working for the District Attorney’s Office.

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Ellie Sennhenn ’26

Majors: Journalism and Professional and Public Writing

Sennhenn is editor-in-chief of the Good Five Cent Cigar and continues to expand her confidence in writing and leadership. Ellie encourages new students to embrace change, reminding them that college is a chance to discover what excites them.

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McKinley Collard ’26

Major: Economics; minor in Communications and Statistics

Collard completed a summer student fellowship in which she researched quality of life in the United States in comparison with other wealthy countries across the globe with the guidance of economics professors Richard McIntyre and Arthur Mead.

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