Rhode Island College faculty named 2017 Pillar of the Profession

Award honors President Frank D. Sanchez

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The NASPA Foundation is pleased to recognize outstanding members
of the student affairs and higher education community through the Pillars of the Profession.
Frank Sanchez President in higher education at Rhode Island College has been named a 2017
Pillar of the Profession. NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education is the
leading association for student affairs professionals.

“Dr. Sanchez is reliable, adaptable, and a responsible professional. His overall
contributions to the field of Student Affairs are numerous,” says Edward F. Martinez, Assistant
Dean of Student Services/Director of Counseling, Suffolk County Community College. “I have
had the good fortune to interact with Dr. Sanchez first-hand and know how much of a valuable
and integral member he is to the field of Student Affairs.”

For over 20 years, Sánchez has advanced teaching and learning by supporting innovative
public-private partnerships, student services, programs, policies and external funding aimed at
increasing student success and degree completion. Dr. Frank D. Sánchez took office as the 10th
President of Rhode Island College in 2016. Previously, he served as Vice Chancellor for Student
Affairs at the City University of New York (CUNY) in New York City. At CUNY, America’s
largest urban public university which enrolls over 500,000 students on 24 campuses, Sánchez
was responsible for providing system-wide leadership in the coordination, delivery and
evaluation of a student-centered university culture that supports all students.

“Frank was someone who I could call at moment’s notice, ask for advice, and support
when we wanted to launch ideas – and call upon him we did,” says Gregory J. Toya, P Director,
Student Development, El Camino Community College District). “Frank always provided a
mature perspective, made sure we did not default into focusing solely on barriers, and moved us
forward.”

The Pillars award is designed to honor individuals who have served as teachers, leaders,
and scholars in the field who:

• Sustained professional distinction in the higher education field, as defined by donors and
supporters;
• Served in leadership roles in NASPA, either regionally or nationally;
• Are recognized or remembered by colleagues, friends, students, or student organizations
for extraordinary service; and
• Have made significant lifetime contributions to the higher education field.
The class of Pillars will be honored at the 2017 NASPA Annual Conference in San
Antonio, TX. As part of the Pillars program, the NASPA Foundation accepts gifts in the name of
each honoree. These gifts come back to the student affairs profession as scholarships, research
grants and awards.

Please help us celebrate the 2017 Pillars with a donation in his or her honor to the
NASPA Foundation. Your gifts ensure the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student
affairs profession and help answer the challenges we face as educators. You may donate online
and learn more about the Foundation’s Pillar class online.

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NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student
affairs profession. Our work provides high-quality professional development, advocacy, and
research for 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and 8 U.S. territories.