RWU School of Continuing Studies Changes Name to University College

PROVIDENCE, R.I. ­­– Roger Williams University today changed the name of its School of Continuing Studies to University College and unveiled a revamped website: https://www.rwu.edu/uc.

The new name points to the future, reflecting the growing range of programs offered at the Providence campus – beyond those aimed at adult learners. The name draws on RWU’s history, echoing a named used by the school between 1994 and 2004. And the name draws on the rich history of institutions throughout the world that use the name University College for portions of larger universities providing post-secondary education.

“We have not simply been a School of Continuing Studies for quite some time,” said Jamie E. Scurry, who will become Vice President of University College after serving as Dean of the School of Continuing Studies. “We not only serve adult learners continuing their education, we also serve military students, we serve teenage and part-time students pursuing both high school and college degrees, we have workforce development programs partnering with some of state’s most successful corporations, and we work with a broad range of community partners housed here, such as the Latino Policy Institute and HousingWorks RI.”

The overarching goal is to meet students where they are life – at whatever age, whatever the demands and challenges of their careers and family lives, she said.

“The new name for RWU’s Providence campus recognizes the culmination of years of work at the University in reimagining higher education to serve a much broader segment of the population,” RWU Interim President Andy Workman said. “We believe that the name University College better describes our ambitious effort to do what higher education as a whole has found to be very difficult -- meeting the needs of learners in all walks of life.”

Scurry said, “This signals that within the University College, we are meeting the needs of students, families and communities, providing pathways for those who have had entry points blocked and building on the skills of those well into their careers. We are not just about degree completion but also skill building and providing support.”

University College will encompass the School of Professional and Continuing Studies and the Center for Workforce & Professional Development. Partners will include the Latino Policy Institute at RWU, HousingWorks RI at RWU, Ready to Learn Providence, Gateway to College, the Center for Youth and Community Leadership in Education and Providence Talks.

Gena Bianco, who has been associate dean of the School of Continuing Studies, will become University College’s dean.

As with School of Continuing Studies students, University College students will receive Roger Williams University diplomas.