Community College of Rhode Island Newport Campus Case Study

This case study details the partnership between Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Hanover Research aimed at addressing significant enrollment challenges at the Newport County campus. Faced with declining student numbers and underutilized resources, CCRI sought innovative solutions to enhance its academic offerings and better serve the local community. In 2024, Hanover Research conducted a comprehensive market analysis that integrated labor market data, competitor insights, and stakeholder feedback to identify high-demand academic programs. The analysis led to the proposal of a culinary arts program, which aligned with the region's hospitality sector and aimed to attract new students. As a result of this initiative, CCRI secured substantial state funding to support its revitalization efforts, launching two new culinary programs that created 64 new student opportunities. The study outlines CCRI's broader vision to expand into additional fields such as computer science and cybersecurity, reinforcing its role as an educational and economic anchor in the region.