Honorary Degrees

Honorary Degree Nominations

Each year, in preparation for commencement exercises, the Honorary Degree Committee invites members of the college community to submit nominations. These nominations will recommend individuals to receive an honorary degree and/or serve as commencement speaker.

Honorary Degree Criteria

The work of nominees should align closely with the mission and core values of Rhode Island College, as characterized here:

Character & Philanthropy

• Consideration & Open-Mindedness: We treat one another with respect, strive to remain open to new ideas, and acknowledge the importance of considering multiple perspectives.
• Collaboration: We appreciate the inherent value of collaboration and its tremendous potential not only to improve our effectiveness but also to connect people who share a common purpose.

Professional Excellence

• Academic Quality: We believe the most critical ingredients for a high-quality teaching and learning environment are: sustained, meaningful interaction between faculty and students; ongoing support for faculty to be leaders in their respective disciplines; an emphasis on opportunities for intensive engagement; and adherence to the principles of academic freedom and equitable access to knowledge.
• Accountability: We are responsive and accountable to a wider public – and to one another.

Student Centeredness

• Empowerment: We empower individuals to become increasingly adept at navigating their own avenues for growth and change as they pursue their goals.
• Student Agency: We work in close partnership with each and every student to honor their individual aspirations, appreciate their unique needs, and do our best to ready them to thrive along whatever paths they choose.

Service

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: We are cultivating an inclusive institution that fosters diversity within our community and seeks to continuously improve equity in opportunities and outcomes for everyone.
• Collaboration: We appreciate the inherent value of collaboration and its tremendous potential not only to improve our effectiveness but also to connect people who share a common purpose.
• Community: We want RIC to be a place that welcomes – and works for – everyone, and to be an institution of which all students, employees, alumni, and the people of Rhode Island can feel proud.

Mission

• How well the candidate, and/or their work, relate to the mission of Rhode Island College.