Collaborative unveils 16 new research projects

SIXTEEN NEW research projects will provide data on state policy issues ranging from municipal collaboration to the education of Latinos through the College and University Research Collaborative.
SIXTEEN NEW research projects will provide data on state policy issues ranging from municipal collaboration to the education of Latinos through the College and University Research Collaborative.

PROVIDENCE – Sixteen new research projects will provide data on state policy issues ranging from municipal collaboration to the education of Latinos through the College and University Research Collaborative.
Areas of concentration include energy, higher education, infrastructure, municipal services, regional competitiveness, social services and workforce. Topics to be explored include gambling, sustainable housing design, transportation infrastructure, college retention and workforce development.
“This is a great way to harness the resources of our state’s top-tier colleges and universities and direct them towards solving some of our biggest challenges,” Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said in a statement. “Everyone has a role to play in Rhode Island’s economic comeback, and these research projects will help strengthen our efforts to make Rhode Island a place of opportunity.”
The latest research topic areas were chosen by consensus among state policy leaders from the governor’s office, House of Representatives and Senate.
“We are excited to have so many scholars from across the state examining challenging state issues and providing non-partisan, academic research to support public policy,” Amber Caulkins, program director, said.
Launched through the Rhode Island Foundation’s Make It Happen initiative, the Collaborative is a statewide public/private partnership of Rhode Island’s 11 colleges and universities that commissions academic studies intended to provide an evidence-based foundation for government decision-making in Rhode Island.
It is an initiative of the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Rhode Island.
House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed said a thorough analysis of major policy issues provided with the help of university researchers is “invaluable.”
The Collaborative is funded by the Rhode Island Foundation, the state of Rhode Island and Rhode Island’s 11 colleges and universities.
The 16 topics and schools involved are:

  • “Rhode Island’s Energy Outlook: Sustainable Energy Infrastructure and Improving Energy Efficiency in Housing,” University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island School of Design;
  • “Examining the Educational Success of Rhode Island Latinos at Local Colleges and Universities,” Providence College;
  • “Impact of Special Student Support Services on College Retention,” New England Institute of Technology;
  • “Exploring Options for a Higher Education Funding Formula in Rhode Island,” Rhode Island College;
  • “Increasing the Educational Attainment of Community College Students,” Community College of Rhode Island;
  • “The Benefits and Drawbacks of New and Emerging Transportation Infrastructure Projects in Rhode Island,” Johnson & Wales University;
  • “Funding Infrastructure Improvements in the State of Rhode Island,” Roger Williams University;
  • “Developing a Blueprint for Municipal Collaboration in Rhode Island,” RWU;
  • “Strategies for Responding to Fiscal Emergency in Three States,” RWU;
  • “Creating a Report Card for State Health Insurance Marketplaces,” PC;
  • “Casino Gambling in Rhode Island – Challenges and Opportunities,” PC;
  • “Rhode Island’s Businesses: Professional Incentives and Employee Retention,” URI and Johnson & Wales University;
  • “Occupational Outcomes for Rhode Island Residents: A Case Study of Rhode Island College,” RIC and RWU;
  • “A New Model for Latino College Student Retention,” Salve Regina University;
  • “Educational Outcomes for Rhode Island’s Latino Students: The Role of Parental Legal Status,” RIC; and
  • “Raising Test Scores: The Impact of Lead Exposure on Latino Students’ Success,” Brown University.

For information, visit www.collaborativeri.org.

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