Senate Education Committee approves six reappointments to University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees

The Rhode Island Senate Committee on Education voted unanimously to approve the reappointments of six members to the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees, extending terms through Feb. 1, 2028.

Committee Chair Senator Gallo opened the advice-and-consent segment by listing the nominees and recognizing Courtney Nicolata, chair of the URI governance committee, who spoke on behalf of several candidates. Nicolata praised the trustees' commitment to the university and said of one nominee, “She is 1 of the hardest working ladies I know, and deeply committed to the future of the university.”

The committee heard brief remarks from nominees and supporters about priorities they would pursue if reappointed. Jay Plascencia, who has served on the board since February 2020, told the committee she draws on her experience as a transfer student and parent to “ensure that all students have the resources and support they need to thrive.” Plascencia said a top priority is modern facilities, describing a desire for “state-of-the-art facilities so that students ... see that we're the University of Rhode Island.” After discussion, the committee moved and voice-voted to approve her reappointment.

Maria Ducharme, a 1996 URI nursing graduate and president of Miriam Hospital, said serving on the board has allowed her to contribute health-care expertise to university planning. “I remain committed to serving with integrity, dedication, and enthusiasm, and I'm deeply passionate about advancing the university's goals,” she told the committee. Ducharme and other trustees discussed the university's campus master plan and noted increasing on-campus housing as a goal tied to student engagement and success.

Matthew Lentz, identified as vice chair of the Institutional Risk and Compliance Committee and a public policy director at Meta, emphasized governance and partnerships. He told senators he supports expanding technology-related programs at URI, saying, “I am a big believer in the future of technology to grow our economy here in the state,” and mentioned work in the university's AI lab and mixed-reality research.

Courtney Nicolata also introduced Cornelius Kerwin (described as president emeritus of American University and chair of URI's academic affairs and research committee), Robbie Luna (business and technology leader who chairs the institutional risk and compliance committee), and David Matarano (venture-capital and business strategist who has supported URI's name-image-likeness work). Each spoke briefly or was introduced by Nicolata; the committee moved and voice-voted to approve each reappointment.

The committee's approvals were taken by voice vote after motions were made and seconded; senators responded “aye” and no nays were recorded on the committee record. After the final reappointment vote the chair adjourned the meeting.

The reappointments place long-serving trustees and leaders with experience in health care, technology, finance and higher-education governance in place for terms running to Feb. 1, 2028. Several speakers highlighted continued work on the campus master plan, increased on-campus housing and investments in research and technology as priorities during the upcoming terms.