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Alumni and Honor Roll awards are a long-standing tradition at ��ѻ��ý. These awards foster lasting connections with our alumni while also recognizing their personal and professional achievements.

2025 Alumni Award Honorees

The Alumni Awards are presented annually to graduates and community leaders who bring honor upon themselves and the College. Their personal and professional achievements and service aid the community, ��ѻ��ý and/or the Alumni Association.

John Nazarian Alumna of the Year

Ann Dugan, B.S.N. ’80

Ann Dugan exemplifies the excellence and compassion fostered by RIC’s nursing program. She began her nursing career in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Roger Williams Hospital, where she was widely respected for her clinical skill, compassion and unwavering support for patients and families.

Her leadership abilities led her to her an administrative position at Wayland Square Surgicare, Inc., where she was pivotal in launching new initiatives by combining her nursing expertise with administration. Dugan is recognized for advancing quality care and fostering supportive, patient-centered environments. Today, she is vice president of surgical services at CharterCARE Health Partners.

A proud alumna, Dugan actively champions the value of a RIC education by supporting RIC nursing students through mentorship and clinical opportunities. Known for her kindness, integrity and dedication to service, she has touched countless lives, embodying the values of RIC’s Zvart Onanian School of Nursing.

Charles B. Willard Achievement Award

Robert Grandchamp, B.A. ’08, M.A. ’10

Robert Grandchamp is an award-winning historian and author of 16 books on Rhode Island and American military history, with focus on 1846-1865. His work is considered essential reading in the field, and he’s often called on to lecture and consult nationwide. His honors include the Stillwell Prize, the Ticknor Society Prize, the Order of St. Barbara and formal commendations from the governor of Rhode Island and the mayor of Providence.

Grandchamp has consulted with the Rhode Island National Guard and the Varnum Armory Museum. He served on Jericho’s library and cemetery commissions in Vermont, and he is past master of the Mt. Mansfield Masonic Lodge. Currently, Grandchamp serves as senior analyst for a federal agency. A two-time graduate of RIC, he earned his B.A. in anthropology and his M.A. in history. He lives in Jericho Center with his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children.

Alumni Faculty Award

Dr. Joanne Costello

Professor Joanne Costello has taught nursing at ��ѻ��ý since 1997. She is coordinator of the population/public health M.S.N. program and a faculty member in the D.N.P. program, teaching health policy and population health courses. Her work includes diabetes education and the impact of support groups on health behaviors, childhood lead poisoning prevention and environmental justice, HIV/AIDS prevention and early detection strategies, and policy interventions to promote health equity and population health.

Costello is faculty advisor for the Graduate Student Nursing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Association and faculty liaison for the Brown Medicine/RIC School of Nursing Pathway Programs. Recently she partnered with faculty and simulation staff to implement a poverty simulation, providing experiential learning for nursing students on patient experiences related to social determinants of health. She also serves on the board of the Nursing Foundation of Rhode Island and the Haitian Humanitarian Network.

Alumni Service Award

Thomas Stegnicki, M.S.N. ’16

Thomas Stegnicki  is a seasoned emergency department nurse leader with over two decades of experience in high-acuity emergency care, disaster response and operational management. He serves at The Miriam Hospital, where he leads patient flow initiatives; quality improvement programs; and clinical training for nurses, paramedics and EMTs.

A proud graduate of RIC’s M.S.N. program in public health and community leadership, Stegnicki has served as assistant chief nurse manager for the Air National Guard’s 143d Medical Group, overseeing health assessment programs, medical readiness and deployments. He is a rescue captain for the Providence Fire Department, leading EMS quality assurance and documentation training for more than 400 firefighter/EMTs. And he is dedicated to public health education, serving as clinical instructor at the University of Rhode Island and contributing to research and other initiatives on opioid response and overdose prevention.

Alumni Staff Award

Dr. Vanessa Ruggieri, B.S. ’18

Vanessa Ruggieri is associate director of admissions operations at ��ѻ��ý, where she leads data-driven enrollment strategies, streamlines workflows and optimizes admissions systems to expand student access and institutional effectiveness.

A double-major in management and marketing, Ruggieri has remained deeply engaged with ��ѻ��ý through mentorship, leadership and service. She actively supports student development by training and mentoring undergraduate student workers and graduate interns, helping them build confidence, leadership skills and professional readiness. Her work is especially focused on creating inclusive pathways for first-generation and underrepresented students.

A passionate advocate of educational equity, Ruggieri frequently presents at regional conferences and serves as a resource in higher education operations. Her career reflects a deep commitment to access, empowerment and lifelong learning. Grounded in purpose and driven by impact, Ruggieri is proud to give back to the institution that helped shape her journey.

Young Alumni Award

Colton McAdams, B.A. ’19

Colton McAdams has dedicated his career to building connections and creating community. After earning his B.A. in youth development at ��ѻ��ý, he went on to earn his M.A. in higher education and student affairs administration at the University of Vermont, focusing his studies on the benefits of mentorship and student activism. He now serves as academic advisor and liaison for RIC’s nursing school.

Advising and coaching 250 students at any given time, McAdam’s approach is to establish authentic connections and foster growth by centering his words and actions in empathy and commitment, which ensures that students feel heard, valued and part of a greater community dedicated to their success.

McAdams uses the same approach in his role on the student conduct board, as co-coordinator of the National Student Exchange Program and in the course he teaches, titled “Introduction to RIC.”

2025 Honor Roll Recipients

The Honor Roll Awards recognize graduates of each ��ѻ��ý school who have brought honor to the college by distinguished achievement in their field. The nominees are role models whose success demonstrates the value of a ��ѻ��ý degree.

Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Steven Scarpetti, B.A. ’87

A shy teen with big dreams, Steven Scarpetti found his voice and a lifelong career in theatre at RIC. After playing standout roles in college productions, he went on to launch his career at Busch Gardens. From there, he performed at Universal Studios (Orlando and Japan), where he became one of Disney World’s original Gastons, a fan-favorite. Scarpetti has also starred in numerous regional productions.

As an actor for the Norwegian Cruise Lines, he was cast by Broadway directors and choreographers in full-scale productions of “Rock of Ages,” “Legally Blonde,” “Beetlejuice” and “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” where he wowed as Bernadette. Now, after nearly four decades, Scarpetti is still going strong. Currently, he stars in “Le Cirque Arcanus” at Epic Universe in Orlando. He credits his teachers, peers and friends for helping him build a life – and maintain it – on stage.

Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Esq., B.A. ’02

Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Esq. is an attorney, leader and advocate for equity and social justice. As executive director of the Economic Progress Institute (EPI), she champions transformational and equitable budget and policy changes to improve the well-being of Rhode Island’s low- and modest-income communities.

Prior to this position, her career spanned over 14 years as a legal aid attorney, where she specialized in poverty law, the effects of structural racism, medical-legal partnerships, public benefits and housing law. She also served as managing attorney for Community Legal Aid’s Worcester County offices, leading critical projects, such as the Medical-Legal Partnership, Asian Outreach, Veterans Legal Assistance and CORI/Reentry.

Nelson-Davies has served as a faculty member and mentor at Brown University’s medical school and as adjunct faculty at CCRI. She earned her B.A. in psychology at ��ѻ��ý and her J.D. at Roger Williams University School of Law.

Josh Estrella, B.A. ’16

Josh Estrella is director of communications for Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. In this role, he leads the City of Providence’s communications team, overseeing the strategic messaging, marketing, crisis communications and media relations of all city departments.

Prior to joining the City of Providence, Estrella managed external communications for the Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner. Prior to that, he coordinated public relations for Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. Estrella has nearly a decade of experience managing communications for both nonprofits and government.

As a RIC student, Estrella double-majored in political science and English, while serving as president of his class and editor-in-chief of the college’s independent newspaper, the Anchor. Recently he earned certification in persuasive communication at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government

Feinstein School of Education & Human Development

Mary Palombo, B.S. ’82, M.Ed. ’87

A special education teacher for the city of Warwick, Mary Palombo is about to begin the 44th and final year of her teaching career.

After graduating from ��ѻ��ý with a B.S. in elementary education/special education, she began her teaching career at The Groden Center. Five years later, she returned to ��ѻ��ý to earn her M.Ed. in special education. From The Groden Center, she joined Rhode Island Hospital’s Child Development Center. There, she was part of a multidisciplinary team evaluating children from all over the world. She has also served on the board of the Autism Society – Rhode Island Chapter and was a Special Olympics volunteer.

When she is not working, Palombo enjoys traveling, reading, yoga and spending time with her husband Mark (a 2006 alum), her two sons: Nate and Nick, and her extended family.

Onanian School of Nursing

Ashley Arnold, B.S.N. ’12, M.S.N. ’17, DNP ’23

A three-time RIC graduate, Ashley Arnold is manager of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs): Structural Heart, Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology at Brown University Health. In this role, Arnold led her team to launch the first and only Atrial Fibrillation Clinic in the state, an APP-led clinic to promote access to advanced therapies, reduce health disparities and provide patient-centered care in Rhode Island.

Throughout her career, she has promoted health and wellness for the people of Rhode Island. Her advocacy and work with legislation has sought to improve timely access to cardiac rehabilitation, restrict access to flavored tobacco products and mitigate delays in care caused by prior authorization. Arnold is also a ��ѻ��ý adjunct faculty member – teaching and mentoring nurse practitioner students and providing guest lectures. In her free time, she fosters rescued dogs and participates in adoption events.

School of Business

Edgar Garzon Jr., B.A. ’14, B.S. ’14

As partner and vice president of finance at the Armory Management Company, Edgar Garzon Jr. plays a pivotal role in shaping the financial future of one of Providence’s most respected real estate development and management firms. Since joining the Armory in 2019, his expertise in financial strategy, real estate accounting, asset management and investment analysis has helped guide the company’s growth across residential and commercial portfolios. He credits much of his professional foundation to his time at RIC, where he earned dual degrees in finance and economics, graduating magna cum laude, with a minor in accounting.

Outside of his professional life, Garzon is a lifelong chess enthusiast and an active member of multiple soccer officiating associations. He is passionate about financial literacy, mentorship and building opportunities for others – values that continue to shape his work and community impact.

School of Social Work

Shana DeFelice, B.S.W. ’08, M.S.W. ’10

Shana DeFelice is a dedicated clinical social worker and dynamic leader in Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector. With over 15 years of experience, she has managed multimillion-dollar federally funded programs, led diverse teams and championed health equity across the state.

She currently serves as programs and mission impact director at Meals on Wheels of RI. In this role, DeFelice oversees critical nutrition services for seniors while spearheading innovative initiatives to expand community impact. A strong advocate for food access and health equity, her work is rooted in empowering both clients and colleagues.

Her previous leadership at the Blackstone Valley Community Action Program included directing six family service programs and guiding staff with compassion and resilience through unprecedented challenges. DeFelice is a proud, two-time graduate of ��ѻ��ý who exemplifies the values of service, leadership and lifelong learning.