History

In 1968, following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the University of Rhode Island (URI) established Talent Development (TD) as a special admission program for Rhode Island’s students of color and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. From that first class of 13 students in ’68 to the 1,100 current Scholars and over 4,000 alumni, TD is a proud community of accomplished individuals in this state, around the country, and throughout the world.

Read our current TD History Book.

Mission

Talent Development recruits and serves Rhode Island high school graduates with college potential who come from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, a majority of whom are Scholars of color.
Talent Development’s core values are grounded in the University’s mission of enriching students’ lives through its land, sea, and urban grant traditions. This is reflected in our ongoing commitment to Respect, Academic Excellence, Mental Health & Wellness, and Scholar Success. We are invested in cultivating the intellectual, social, and cultural development of our Scholars. We inspire Scholars to discover, create, and innovate while fostering leadership and personal growth to build a foundation for persistence.

Vision 

We strive to be a nationally recognized program committed to Scholar access and success by supporting Scholars to build a foundation for persistence. 

Goals

Access, Opportunity, Affordability, Completion