Our Stories – Dean of Students Office

Stay connected and get involved with the many opportunities hosted by the Dean of Students Office throughout the year. From community gatherings to leadership experiences, there’s always something happening to support your success and sense of connection at URI.

Our staff collaborates on and participates in programs that celebrate community, foster belonging, and help students make the most of their URI experience. Through these moments — large and small — we create stories that reflect the spirit of our campus. Explore the highlights below to see how we’re building a stronger, more connected URI community.

Events

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October

20

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET

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Friends of Heather Lead: A Night of Hope and Healing

“Friends of Heather Lead: A Night of Hope and Healing” is an opportunity for the campus community to share stories, reflect, and build resilience in memory of Heather, a beloved community member who died by suicide in 1996. Organized with deep care and support, this event underscores the commitment of the Office of Greek Life, […]

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November

6

4:30 PM ET

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URI to Host Rhode Island Premiere of Silence on the Streets

The University of Rhode Island’s John Hazen White Sr. Center for Ethics and Public Service will host the Rhode Island premiere of the documentary Silence on the Streets on Thursday, Nov. 6, featuring a panel discussion on the opioid crisis in urban communities. The event brings together community leaders, public health experts, and higher education […]

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October

25

9 AM ET

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Family Weekend 2025: Donuts with the Dean

October 24 – 26, 2025 – Family Weekend 🍩 About the Event 🍩 Donuts with the Dean is a fun, informal opportunity to connect with Dean of Students staff during Family Weekend at URI. Stop by Family Fest Tailgate to grab a donut, say hello, and learn how the Dean of Students Office supports student […]

Not So Spooky Trick or Treat

Event by URI Greek Life Sunday, October 19, 2025 2PM to 5 PM Fraternity Cir, Kingston, RI 02881, United States Enjoy a FREE afternoon of Halloween Family Fun hosted and sponsored by URI Greek Life on Fraternity Circle. Activities include Costume Contests, Pumpkin Painting, Dance Party, Free Face Painting and much more! Parking for this event […]

Quad Fest 2025

Quad Fest is an annual welcome-back celebration at the University of Rhode Island, hosted by President Marc Parlange. In 2025, the event took place on Tuesday, September 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the URI Quadrangle. It featured a variety of activities designed to foster community spirit and provide students with valuable resources. […]

Off Campus Housing Fair

The University of Rhode Island’s Off-Campus Housing Fair is an annual event hosted by URI Commuter Affairs, designed to help students explore housing options near campus for the upcoming academic year. Held in the Memorial Union Ballroom, the fair brings together local landlords, property managers, and community partners, offering students the opportunity to learn about […]

FloURIsh Fest 2025

FloURIsh Fest is an annual wellness festival hosted by Campus Recreation at the University of Rhode Island. Held each fall on the Quad, the event brings together over 40 campus departments, student organizations, and local businesses to promote holistic well-being across five key pillars: emotional, physical, intellectual, social, and financial wellness. What to Expect at […]

🎓 New Student Welcome 2025 at URI

Date & Time: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM EDTLocation: Barlow Circle, University of Rhode IslandHosted by: Rhode to Becoming a Ram (R2R) 🧡 What Is New Student Welcome? The New Student Welcome is URI’s official kickoff event for incoming first-year students. It serves as a warm introduction to the URI […]

Registration Open for Summer Professional Development Programs

The University of Rhode Island’s Rhode Island Nursing Education Center (RINEC) will host a series of free professional development trainings this summer for healthcare and public service professionals. Offered through URI’s Office of Strategic Initiatives and funded by the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, the RINEC Summer Skills Series includes sessions on leadership, […]

URI to Host Regional Neurodiversity Conference Featuring Temple Grandin

The University of Rhode Island will welcome world-renowned autism advocate and author Dr. Temple Grandin as keynote speaker for the Northeast Regional Higher Education Neurodiversity Coalition Conference, held Aug. 29–30 at the Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering. The two-day event will bring together educators, researchers, and advocates to explore neurodiversity in higher education and the […]

URI Community Invited to Due Process Information Session

The University of Rhode Island will host a virtual information session, “Due Process at the University of Rhode Island: Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities,” on Wednesday, April 10, from noon to 2 p.m. Organized by the Office of Equal Opportunity within the Division of Administration and Finance, the program will help students, faculty, and staff […]

Kudos

Panel presentation at NASPA’s Student Success in Higher Education leads to spotlight in Inside Higher Education

Research from a student conduct officer at the University of Rhode Island reveals opportunities to make conduct processes clearer to first-generation students. Dr. Kristin Ridge, associate dean of students and community standards at the University of Rhode Island, discussed her doctoral research on first-generation students and how they interact with the student handbook and conduct […]

DAI staff is 2025 Inclusive Excellence Awardee

DAI staff is 2025 Inclusive Excellence Awardee Nina Schiarizzi-Tobin was named the 2025 Staff/Administrative Excellence Awardee at the University of Rhode Island’s Inclusive Excellence Awards, honoring members of the URI community who were nominated and selected for demonstrating and promoting inclusion in community leadership, academic excellence, and service at the University. Staff/Administrative Excellence Award: Nina […]

URI administrator earns dissertation of the year award

Kristin Ridge, URI’s Associate Dean of Students, was recently recognized for her dissertation on the treatment of first-generation students in the student conduct system by the Association of Student Conduct Administration (ASCA).

Jacqui Springer celebrated for leadership in higher education case management

The University of Rhode Island’s Dean of Students Office is celebrating Jacqui Springer, who has been recognized nationally for her leadership and commitment to student well-being. Springer, URI’s Assistant Director of Outreach and Intervention, received the Higher Education Case Managers Association (HECMA) Leadership Award for her outstanding contributions to the field of higher education case […]

URI Greek Life Recognized by YMCA as 2024 Y Hero

It’s a great day to be Greek at the University of Rhode Island! URI Greek Life was recognized as a recipient of the 2024 Y Hero Award on May 14. 2024. Outgoing IFC President Nate Goulart and Outgoing Panhellenic President Victoria Johnson accepted the award on behalf of URI Greek Life for their support of […]

URI ceremony honors individuals for inclusive excellence

Dr. Jacqui Springer was awarded the Staff/Administrative Excellence Award at the University of Rhode Island’s Inclusive Excellence Awards, honoring members of the URI community who were nominated and selected for demonstrating and promoting inclusion in community leadership, academic excellence, and service at the University. The event, held in the Memorial Union Ballroom, was sponsored by […]

Our Stories

Rhody F1rst – First-Generation Students

The University of Rhode Island’s “Rhody F1rst” initiative celebrates and supports first-generation college students through their academic journey—from enrollment to graduation and beyond. The program, housed in the Division of Student Affairs, offers dedicated resources such as peer mentors, financial-aid workshops, career planning, and a network of faculty and staff (many of whom are themselves […]

Mental Health First Aid Trainings

URI is the first university in the state to adopt Mental Health First Aid training, an eight-hour program that teaches people of all ages and walks of life to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. https://web.uri.edu/mhfa/trainings/

URI Announces Accessibility Task Force to Advance Inclusion and Access

The University of Rhode Island has launched a new Accessibility Task Force to strengthen campus-wide coordination of disability access and inclusion initiatives in alignment with the Focus URI Strategic Plan. Co-sponsored by University leaders in Administration and Finance, Student Affairs, and Community, Equity, and Diversity, the task force brings together representatives from across the institution […]