Extension School Stories

With the help of University College’s flexible scheduling, John Scott ’01 was able to climb the ranks at the Rhode Island Training School (RITS) in Cranston, R.I. To reach this place, Scott followed a path that met his individual needs.

Destani Madej moved from New Jersey to Rhode Island as a 26 year old single mother who knew nobody in the state. Once in Rhode Island, she enrolled in the Legal Assistant program offered through

I have been given the resources and tools I need to help manifest my visions of my future into the reality of my future.  This program has helped show me that I dictate the narrative of my life, no one else and with that being said, I was able to secure a full time job at a very successful law firm just a few weeks after my graduation date.

"The experience of learning new technology has changed my career."

For Linda Gendron '12, earning a college degree had been a lifetime goal that RWU helped her achieve.

Although he already had earned an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Joe Mattiello '13 was focused on advancing his career and expanding his options as a Field Application Engineer for Taco hydronic systems in Cranston, RI.

After completing a 12 week Legal Assistant Certificate Program in the fall of 2015 with University College, Kashia Jennings was offered a part-time position with the RI Department of Human Services.

Jennifer Lin '17 worked full-time as a paralegal while she earns a bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies at University College. Her degree will help her advance in her career and set her on a path toward her ultimate career goal: becoming a lawyer.

China Yang, a senior at the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex, has taken a number of courses at University College including one where she helped start a certified nonprofit.

For the first time in a long time, Starlyn Nunez is hopeful about the direction his life is headed. The reason, he says, is his education.