About Us

Mission

To enhance the mission of the University of Rhode Island, the Center for Student Leadership Development aims to: provide developmental opportunities for all students to become informed, inclusive, effective, and ethical leaders in the global marketplace through the implementation of learner-centered academic, experiential, and co-curricular programming engage in research, assessment, and advancement in order to positively impact the expanding field of leadership studies.

Vision

The URI Center for Student Leadership Development will promote dynamic Strengths-based leadership development through multiple delivery methods to prepare students to be competitive in the workplace and global marketplace. The CSLD seeks to progress as innovators for experiential engagement and enriching assessment.

Values

Grounded in the Social Change Model of Leadership Development (Higher Education Research Institute), Relational Leadership Model (Komives, Lucas & McMahon), and Servant Leadership (Greenleaf), the URI Center for Student Leadership Development values: engaged and experiential learning through a constructivist approach inclusion, social justice and civic engagement ethical and value-based leadership and relationship building innovative assessment and presentation models

Melissa Boyd-Colvin, M.S. | Director

Education: Certificate in Learning & Development, University of Rhode Island, Expected August 2023

Certificate in Human Resources & Labor Relations, University of Rhode Island

M.S., Human Development and Family Studies. Concentration: College Student Personnel, University of Rhode Island

B.A., Psychology with a minor in Sociology, University of Rhode Island

Publications: Boyd-Colvin, M A and Branch, K (2012) American West meets assessment woes In F K Strange and S.M. Hubbard (Eds.), Linking theory to practice: Case studies for working with college students (pp. 76-81). Routledge.

Recognition: 2017 URI Human Development and Family Studies Chair Award; 2014 NASPA Student Leadership Programs Knowledge Community Outstanding Contribution to Student Leadership Programs Award; 2008 NASPA Rhode Island Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Award

Melissa Camba-Kelsay, M.S., M.B.A. | Assistant Director

Education: M B A , specialization in organizational leadership, University of Rhode Island

M S , Student Affairs in Higher Education, Colorado State University

B.A., English with a minor in human development, State University of New York – Geneseo

Publications: Vaccaro, A. & Camba-Kelsay, M. J. (2018). Cultural competence and inclusivity in mentoring, coaching and advising In L J Hastings & C Kane (Eds ), New Directions for Student Leadership: No 158 Role of mentoring, coaching, and advising in developing leadership (pp. 87-97). Jossey-Bass.

Vaccaro, A. & Camba-Kelsay, M. J. (2017). I Am versus I Will Be a great leader: Using critical race feminism to explore gender differences among college students In C M Cunningham & H M Crandall (Eds ), Gender, Communication, and the Leadership Gap (Volume 6 in the Women and Leadership Book Series) (pp 243-262) Information Age Publishing.

Vaccaro. A. and Camba-Kelsay, M. J. (2016). Centering women of color in academic counterspaces: A critical race analysis of teaching, learning, and classroom dynamics. Lexington Books.

Recognition: 2018 NASPA Rhode Island Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Award; 2018 NASPA Asian Pacific Islanders Knowledge Community VIP Award

Alison Jackson Frasier, M.Ed. | Coordinator

Education: Certificate in Learning & Development, University of Rhode Island, Expected August 2023

M Ed , Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Social Justice Education, University of Massachusetts

B.A., Communication Studies with a minor in Leadership Studies, University of Rhode Island

Recognition: 2021 Northeast Association for Experiential Education (AEE) PICOUP Award