Biography

Kerri Maurice is a Grants and Contracts Specialist at the University of Rhode Island who is passionate about supporting first-generation and nontraditional students as they navigate higher education. Kerri took a nontraditional path through college, earning her bachelor’s degree in her late 20s while balancing work, finances, and other life responsibilities. Today, she works in research administration, supporting faculty through the full lifecycle of grant development and funding, while also pursuing her master’s degree full-time alongside her professional responsibilities. As a first-generation student who returned to school later in life, Kerri understands how isolating and overwhelming college can sometimes feel without a clear roadmap or support system. She recognizes that adult learners and first-generation students often face challenges that are not always visible to others, and she is committed to helping students feel seen, supported, and empowered throughout their journeys. Kerri wants students to know that they belong in higher education and that their unique paths and experiences are valuable. Her advice to students is to keep taking the next step, even if they do not have everything figured out yet. She encourages students to ask questions, even when it feels uncomfortable, because learning how to navigate college systems is part of the process. Kerri also reminds students that success does not have to follow anyone else’s timeline and that meaningful goals can be achieved in many different ways. As a mentor, Kerri is especially interested in supporting students with personal growth and goal setting, identity development and sense of belonging, navigating college systems, major exploration, academic and study strategies, time management, financial literacy and college costs, imposter syndrome and confidence building, mental health and well-being, career exploration, research and experiential opportunities, and graduate school planning.