From the President
This has been another remarkable year for the University of Rhode Island. Everywhere I go—on campus, in our community, across the state, and beyond—I meet people who are proud of URI and excited about our future. We’ve celebrated national recognition, record-breaking applications, historic gifts, and championship seasons.
At the same time, we’ve faced headwinds. Shifts in federal policies on student aid and research funding have created uncertainty across higher education, but they have also sharpened our focus on the importance of our mission. Guided by Focus URI, our 10‑year strategic plan, we continue to move forward with purpose, and the highlights in this report reflect the significant progress we have made across each of our four strategic priorities.
R1 status
In February, faculty, staff, and students joined university leaders, R.I. Gov. Dan McKee, and state lawmakers to celebrate the official announcement that URI had achieved R1 designation in the latest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a widely recognized standard for evaluating institutional research activity.
The R1 designation signifies that URI has achieved the highest level of research activity, measured by the number of doctoral degrees awarded and the amount of spending on research and development.
“This milestone is not just about rankings,” said President Marc Parlange. “It’s about impact. We are a powerhouse for research and education, fueling discoveries that benefit not just our students and faculty but Rhode Island, the nation, and the world,” he said, adding, “While this is a moment to celebrate, it is also a call to action. Achieving R1 is not the finish line—it’s the beginning of a new era at URI.”
Leading in student outcomes and student success
URI is ranked the No. 1 public university in New England and the 35th-best public university nationally in the WSJ/College Pulse 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. ranking released by The Wall Street Journal. The WSJ/College Pulse 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. ranking rates the top 500 universities in the country. URI ranks 12th among public flagship universities nationwide, and 84th out of 500 among all ranked universities—15 spots ahead of the next closest New England public university.
“URI makes a difference in people’s lives, and that’s what this ranking recognizes. We are committed to providing broad access to a high-quality academic experience and to ensuring that students have the support and resources they need to succeed. And we are incredibly proud of the success and impact of our graduates, who are making a real difference throughout Rhode Island and around the globe,” said President Marc Parlange.
Strategic Priority 1:
Broadening Our Impact
Earlier this year, when we earned Carnegie R1 status, we joined the nation’s top tier of research universities. This recognition has expanded our opportunities and affirmed decades of important work by our researchers. Our faculty advanced discoveries in quantum science, ocean engineering, pharmacy, behavioral health, and more, positioning Rhode Island as a hub for next‑generation technologies and statewide responses to the opioid epidemic.
Major capital projects are also strengthening our research infrastructure. Construction on the Ocean Robotics Laboratory at the Narragansett Bay Campus is well underway, and design has begun on the new Biomedical Sciences Building, thanks to voter approval of the $87.5 million bond referendum. Planning is advancing on phase II of the Bay Campus, and the transformative new Fine Arts Center is taking shape in Kingston. These investments will continue to expand Rhode Island’s role in the blue economy, the life sciences, and the arts, while creating new pathways for the community into our campuses.
URI also played a leading role in a Rhode Island state Senate special commission to explore establishing a medical school at the University, which will culminate in a comprehensive feasibility report that outlines how a public medical school at URI could address physician shortages, improve health outcomes, and drive long‑term economic impact. This work aligns our research and workforce strengths with a pressing statewide need and sets the stage for transformational public‑private partnerships.
Beyond Rhode Island, URI continues to have a place in global conversations. From our partnership with Technische Universität Braunschweig in Germany to groundbreaking human rights reporting through the GlobalRIghts Project, our reach extends far beyond our borders, providing our community with opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue about pressing world issues.
In Action
Strategic Priority 2:
Enhancing Student Achievement
At the center of our mission are our students. URI welcomed more than 17,000 students this year, including 3,100 first‑years and 500 transfers. Over 30% are the first in their families to attend college—a powerful reflection of our commitment to access. Applications reached an all‑time high for fall 2025, evidence of our growing reputation and competitiveness among peers, and our graduates remain highly sought-after, with more than 90% employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
This was also a year of extraordinary student achievement. We celebrated the 5,000th graduate of our Talent Development program and welcomed the inaugural class of Schilling Scholars, supported by the largest gift in URI history. Students earned Fulbright and Boren scholarships, won national championships in pharmacy competitions, and excelled in marine science and business case competitions. More students than ever engaged in experiential learning—from faculty‑mentored research and clinical placements to real‑world business and engineering projects—that directly enhance postgraduate outcomes.
And our student‑athletes delivered historic seasons. Football won the Coastal Athletic Association conference and reached the playoffs for the first time in nearly four decades. Baseball won the Atlantic 10 Conference and earned an NCAA tournament bid, the men’s track and field team won its fifth-straight Atlantic 10 indoor track and field championship, and women’s rowing claimed its 11th Atlantic 10 title. These achievements not only strengthen Rhody pride, they bring important national visibility to the University.
In Action
Strategic Priority 3:
Fostering an Inclusive Culture
URI’s progress has always been powered by its people. This year, we expanded financial aid to a record $150 million, honored staff and faculty with new service awards, and elevated students, faculty, and alumni through our Inclusive Excellence Awards. We also welcomed Becky Hill as our inaugural vice president for human resources, who, together with our Office of Community, Equity and Diversity, is building a culture of appreciation, transparency, and inclusion.
We continued to expand opportunity through programs such as MakerspaceURI outreach and new school partnerships that brought hands-on learning to young people from underserved communities. Inclusion and belonging remain essential to retention, satisfaction, and student success, and we are listening closely to our students, who are asking for spaces and programs that foster deeper and more meaningful connections.
In Action
Strategic Priority 4:
Powering the University of the Future
Building on our momentum also means preparing for what’s next. This year, we advanced our new budget model, which is improving transparency and aligning resources more closely with strategic priorities. We also continued to invest in our physical campus. The Comprehensive Campus Plan—with input from hundreds of community voices—is nearing completion and will guide the next two decades of physical growth. Planning is advancing on athletics and recreation facilities with historic state support, and we launched URI’s first public‑private partnership to deliver new undergraduate and graduate housing.
We remain grateful to our elected state officials who have supported this tremendous growth, while also deepening our philanthropic efforts to accelerate our progress. The $65 million Schilling Scholars gift represents a transformational investment in our students. Our Day of Giving saw record new donor participation and the inaugural Rhody Athletics Challenge engaged over 1,700 donors, including more than 600 first‑time athletic supporters. These results reflect growing pride in URI’s direction and provide resources to keep our programs strong.
