Inclusive Excellence Awards
2025 Awardees
Undergraduate Student Inclusive Excellence AwardMeilin Quiroa Reyes
Meilin Quiroa Reyes is a dedicated leader and advocate committed to fostering
inclusivity and equity in community spaces. Through her roles as Cultural
Committee Chairwoman of the URI Student Senate and as the Vice President of
the Rhody F1rst Student Organization, she works to create welcoming, supportive
environments for underrepresented communities. Her leadership in various
mentorship and advocacy programs ensures that first-generation and diverse
student populations have access to resources and opportunities. With a strong
foundation in leadership, cultural engagement, and social advocacy, Reyes strives to
build a more inclusive and educated community for all.
Graduate Student Inclusive Excellence AwardSamuel Filiaggi
After earning his Bachelor of Science in Marine Affairs from URI in 2019, Samuel
Filiaggi is completing his Master of Marine Affairs at URI and his Juris Doctorate
through a joint-degree program with Roger Williams University. He now serves as
a Department of Marine Affairs graduate student representative and co-founded the
“State of Marine Affairs Speaker Series” to foster community and dialogue amidst
political uncertainty. Sam is the president of the URI chapter of The Coastal
Society is active in the URI Sea Shanty Social Club, and hosted an
interdepartmental celebration for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea’s 30th anniversary. Once he completes his major project on empowering Tribal
land use in Rhode Island, Sam will practice environmental law, and—as a
transgender man himself—he encourages others to bring their whole selves into the
room when addressing ocean and coastal issues.
Staff/Administrative Inclusive Excellence AwardNina Schiarizzi-Tobin
Nina Schiarizzi-Tobin is a proud neurodivergent educator with nearly 25 years of
experience in teaching, curriculum design, policy formation, and program
development. Before joining URI in 2021, she worked with places ranging from
the Boston Public Schools (co-founding the autism inclusion strands), the Museum of
Fine Arts Boston (Educator Advisory Board/inclusive school programming),
colleges & universities throughout New England, MGH’s Lurie Center (brain-
based social skill development), and created the Ad Council’s parent guide to
autism disclosure. Currently, Nina is the Assistant Director of Disability Access
and Inclusion, overseeing neurodivergent programming, providing training and
consultation on teaching practices, disability rights, transition planning, and
inclusion. She serves on numerous strategic planning committees and task forces,
including the Disability Advocacy Group, Accessibility Task Force, and is a
founding member of the New England Neurodiversity in Higher Ed Coalition.
Student Organization Inclusive Excellence AwardBlack Student Union
The Black Student Union’s mission is to create a link between all students at the University of Rhode Island. They strive to host conscious conversations on Black issues by Black people. (Black as an inclusive term for all students who have African descent). BSU seeks to make all students at URI feel comfortable while being culturally competent on campus to unify the University of Rhode Island.
Their goal is to create a space where students can be informed, empowered, and enjoy a sense of belonging. They prioritize inclusion and collaboration by strengthening relationships between multicultural organizations and promoting unity through innovative programming and joint initiatives. One of their proudest achievements is launching the first-ever Black Radiance Awards this year, where they recognized multicultural student organizations on campus for their great work, a tradition they plan to continue annually. They have also created “The Power of Us” podcast club, where they invite organizations, faculty, staff, and community members to share their experiences, highlight their work, and discuss pressing issues. This platform allows them to amplify voices that are often silenced and strengthen solidarity across our URI campus community.
At their core, they are passionate about transforming the campus climate to ensure it is as inclusive and empowering as possible. BSU’s work is driven by the belief that lasting change begins by creating spaces where all voices are valued and heard.
Staff Team/Administrative Inclusive Excellence AwardEarly Alert Services
John Carl Cruz is a dedicated advocate for student success at the University of Rhode Island’s Early Alert Services, where he plays a vital role in identifying and supporting students facing academic and personal challenges. Through his work, he ensures that students have access to the resources, guidance, and encouragement they need to thrive. John actively collaborates with faculty, staff, and campus partners to develop proactive outreach strategies that foster a sense of belonging and remove barriers to success. With a longstanding commitment to supporting underrepresented and marginalized communities, he has worked with organizations such as Talent Development, College Unbound, Onward We Learn (formerly
College Crusade of Rhode Island), and numerous basketball programs throughout Rhode Island and New England. Whether at URI or in the broader community, John is deeply committed to creating equitable, supportive environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered.Shirley and John, in partnership with Dr. Richard Song, co-authored a book chapter entitled “A Homecoming of Sorts” for the book No Ways Tired: The Journey for Professionals of Color in Student Affairs. The chapter is a call to action for institutions of higher education. To recruit and retain staff of color, administrators need to pay attention to their lived experiences. The authors, who identify as mid-level professionals, narrate their journey as undergraduate students at a predominantly white institution (PWI). Now, serving as full-time staff members at their alma mater, the authors reflect on the progress that has been made as it relates to diversity, inclusion, and equity, while acknowledging the work that still needs to be done. Through a dialogic format, the authors offer their readers some insight into how conversation, community, and the creation of counterspaces can help staff of color not only survive at a PWI, but also thrive.
Shirley Consuegra, a first-generation Talent Development graduate from URI, has dedicated her career to helping students access higher education and guiding them toward graduation. She earned her master’s degree in Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College in 2003. After working in education across California, Tennessee, and Massachusetts, she returned to URI in 2015. Currently, she serves as a co-coordinator for Early Alert and Academic Support Services, where she assists students in overcoming challenges on their path to
graduation. Her work extends campus-wide, allowing her to support students at all stages of their undergraduate journey.As an educator and social justice advocate, Shirley is committed to addressing
inequities in education and driving institutional change to create more inclusive
spaces. Since returning to URI, she has served on the President’s Commission for
The Status of Faculty, Staff, and Students of Color, as well as the University
College for Academic Success Professional Development Task Force, both of
which focused on advancing inclusion and equity in education and the workplace.
Faculty Inclusive Excellence AwardJoseph Nardolillo
Dr. Joseph Nardolillo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research at the URI College of Pharmacy. He earned his PharmD from URI in 2018 and completed a primary care residency with the Indian Health Service in New Mexico and the University of Colorado. After starting his faculty career at Wayne State University, he returned to URI in 2022, joining as a Clinical Assistant Professor focused on health equity and primary care, and transitioned to a tenure-track role in 2024.
Dr. Nardolillo integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of his work. As former co-chair of the College’s Diversity and Globalization Committee, he advocated for institutional change, hosted leaders from the University of Cape Coast (Ghana), and expanded student involvement. He now leads a collaboration with Brown University, connecting URI pharmacy students with middle and high schoolers in Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls—impacting over 200 students across 10 events to promote pharmacy careers and mentorship.
In the classroom, he has introduced topics such as gender-affirming care, interpreter services, and health equity into the PharmD curriculum. He also coordinates Interprofessional Education Day with URI, Brown, and RIC, leading workshops on implicit bias and social determinants of health.
Dr. Nardolillo is building a research program focused on leveraging pharmacists and student pharmacists to improve cardiometabolic care, especially for underserved populations, including the LGBTQ+ community. His work centers on innovative, community-driven strategies to reduce health disparities.
Faculty Excellence in Inclusive Teaching AwardBritny Brown
Dr. Brown’s inclusive teaching journey began in 2018 as a member of the ITALI (Inclusive Teaching and Learning Institute) hosted at the University by Dr. Bryan Dewsbury. Since then, she continuously incorporates practices into the classroom to increase the sense of belonging and has shared these impacts at the university and national level. As an oncology pharmacist, her teaching focuses on cancer care and continuously embeds health equity topics throughout lecture and case-based discussions. She has been a member or co-chair of the College of Pharmacy’s Belonging, Inclusion, and Wellness committee since returning to URI as faculty in 2017.
Dr. Brown has directed some of her efforts toward the College Curriculum Committee, ensuring that the course material of her colleagues reflects diverse perspectives, promotes fairness and honesty, and remains accessible to all stakeholders, particularly students. One of her most impactful initiatives stems from the College’s partnership with the Narragansett Nation, an effort that began during my tenure as Dean. Recognizing the opportunity to make a meaningful difference, Dr. Brown eagerly stepped forward as the College’s champion and liaison for this collaboration. She has spearheaded initiatives to improve healthcare for the Narragansett people while incorporating didactic and experiential learning opportunities for students. Most notably, she is leading an effort to integrate Indigenous health perspectives into the College of Pharmacy curriculum by developing two new curriculum modules focused on Indigenous health and tribal health outcomes, with a particular emphasis on the Narragansett tribe.
Inclusive Excellence Lifetime Achievement AwardYahaira Placencia
Yahaira Placencia, also known as Jay, is a dedicated wealth manager with 24 years of experience at Bank of America, where she leads a team responsible for driving market growth strategy. With a deep commitment to integrity, impact, and inclusivity, she specializes in helping high-net-worth families and non-profits achieve financial success.
Beyond her professional role, Jay is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and community empowerment. She serves as the Executive Sponsor of the Hispanic/Latino Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA) at Bank of America, fostering an inclusive workplace, empowering Latino professionals, and championing leadership development. Jay is a founding member of the University of Rhode Island (URI) Board of Trustees, where she serves as Vice Chair of Governance and sits on the Student Life and Athletics Committee. She also serves on the United Way of Rhode Island Board, where she chairs the Community Advisory Board, and is a board member of the Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island.
Her dedication to elevating women’s leadership is evident in her role as a founding advisory board member of the RISE Women’s Leadership Conference, where she has helped grow an event that now inspires and empowers over 1,500 women annually.
Jay is a champion for equality, mentorship, and community connection. She takes pride in paying it forward, actively mentoring, advocating for the underserved communities, and strengthening organizations that create lasting impact.
Above all, she is most proud of her role as a mother to Imani Givens (URI Class of 2024) and Jaden Givens (a junior at La Salle Academy). Her leadership reflects an unwavering dedication to financial well-being, community advocacy, and ensuring all voices are heard and valued.