About Frank Sánchez
Frank D. Sánchez became the tenth president of Rhode Island College – the state’s first public college – in July 2016. Dr. Sánchez oversees the college with an annual operating budget that exceeds $190 million, supports approximately 12,000 students on campus and across the state.
Dr. Sánchez is humbled, honored and enthused to serve as the president of Rhode Island College, joining exceptional students, faculty and staff who have established a student-focused environment and an extraordinary teaching and learning enterprise. Working with the Postsecondary Education Council, he is convinced RIC will strengthen its position as a first choice institution and continue to meet the needs of Rhode Islanders and the region.
A native of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Dr. Sánchez holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Learning, Cognition and Instruction from Indiana University-Bloomington, and an M.S. in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Colorado State University. He also holds a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Communications and Ethnic Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
For over two and a half decades, Dr. Sánchez has advanced higher education policy, programs and services to improve college completion and success. He has consulted, presented and spoken at numerous national forums focusing on student success. He previously served as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at The City University of New York, the nation’s largest urban public university serving over 500,000 students.
His wife, Lori, has her MBA in Health Administration and most recently worked at Mount Sinai in New York City. Their son, Lawrence, is a senior at Hunter College and Dante is a sophomore at Stony Brook University. Their youngest, Mari, attends La Salle in Providence.
EDUCATION
- Ph.D. 2003. Indiana University-Bloomington (Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Learning, Cognition and Instruction)
- M.S. 1993. Colorado State University (Student Affairs and Higher Education)
- B.S. 1991. University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Psychology and minor in Communications)
- Certificate, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Institute for Educational Management, 2013
SELECTED HONORS AND AWARDS
- Pillar of the Profession, NASPA, 2017
- Public Service Award, Transitional Services for New York, Inc., 2016
- Educator of the Year, Selective Corporate Internship Program, 2015
- ADA25 Champion Award, Laguardia Community College, 2015
- Board of Directors, NASPA, 2015
- Michael Steurman Friend of CUNY Athletic Conference Award, 2014
- NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Educational Leadership Award, 2012
- NYC 25 Outstanding Latinos "El Award", El Diario, 2011
- Education Chair, New York Blood Center, 2011-2016
- Co-Chair, NYC Higher Education Taskforce on Student Wellness and Anti-Bullying, 2011-2012
- Governor's P-20 Education Council, State of Colorado, 2008-2011
- Robert P. Cooke Article of the Year, ACUHO-I, 1999
- Trustee Award of Merit, University of Wyoming, 1999
HIGHER EDUCATION APPOINTMENTS
Rhode Island College
Established in 1854, Rhode Island College is the state’s first public institution of higher education, serving approximately 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students through its five schools: arts and sciences, education and human development, social work, management and nursing.
- President, July 2016 - present
The City University of New York
CUNY is America’s largest urban public university, enrolling over 500,000 students on 24 campuses throughout New York City’s five boroughs. CUNY colleges offer a seemingly infinite array of academic programs taught by award-winning faculty, as well as sports, internships, scholarships and community service opportunities.
- Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs January 2011 - June 2016
University of Colorado Denver and Anschutz Medical Center
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) is the largest academic health center in the Rocky Mountain region. The campus combines interdisciplinary teaching, research and clinical facilities to prepare the region’s future health care professionals, provide the best available health care at two nationally recognized hospitals and be a national leader in life sciences research.
- Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, July 2005 - December 2010
Adams State University (formerly Adams State College)
Founded in 1921 as a teachers' college, Adams State is a university offering undergraduate majors, minors and emphases. ASU also offers master's degree programs and a doctoral program – most offered online.
- Vice President for Student Affairs, July 1999 - June 2005
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Institutionalized Single Stop operations across seven community colleges to support students with modest means; increasing financial and resources support from $12 million in 2010 to $40 million in 2015
- Advanced Military Friendly Status for all CUNY colleges to be the first higher education system in the country with this designation
- Secured over $8 million in federal and external funding for low-income, disabled and disadvantaged student populations
- Led consolidation of all student services operations across the University of Colorado Downtown Denver campus and the Anschutz Medical Center
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