URI Honors Colloquium to Feature Discussion on Talent Development Program

By Ashley Henry, University of Rhode Island Communications Studies

Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., the ongoing University of Rhode Island Honors Colloquium will feature a panel discussion on the University’s Talent Development Program, which helps Rhode Island high school graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds earn a URI degree. The lecture will be held in Edwards Hall, located at 64 Upper College Road in Kingston. 

The TD program, which started in 1968, consists of a Spring Preparatory Program and a Summer Program. Staff members also assist students in the program throughout the academic year. The program recruits students with college potential, provides them with an assigned academic advisor, financial support and other assistance. About 1,600 participants from the University have graduated from the program since its inception.

As part of URI’s 51st annual lecture series, this year titled "Great Public Schools, Everyone’s Right? Everyone’s Responsibility?", a panel made up of Talent Development (TD) alumni will discuss The Pathways to Freedom, an in-depth discussion about the TD program. 

The five panelists to be featured during Tuesday's forum are:

• Dianna Ibarra-Sdoeung, who has worked in Providence public schools is a teacher at E-Cubed Academy.

• Victor Capellan, originally from the Dominican Republic, is deputy campaign manager for Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. He has served on numerous boards, is vice chair of the Rhode Island Kids Count board of directors, and has been heavily involved with Central Falls High School’s education reform efforts.

• Melissa Neal, who earned her doctorate at Syracuse University, is an instructional specialist for the District of Columbia Public Schools and an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Early Childhood Education at the University of Cincinnati.

• Keith A. Oliveria, a well-known education leader in Rhode Island, has been involved with the Providence School Board since 2011, serving as its president since 2012. He is also working with the Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College Charter School, which he helped fund.

• Antonio David, who has been an educator for 13 years, is an award-winning health and physical education teacher at the Robert L. Bailey IV Elementary School in Providence and is also working with URI as a cooperating teacher. 

Edward Givens, assistant director of TD, and Earl N. Smith III, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, both URI graduates, and Michael Charles Obel-Omia, director of the Compass School in South Kingstown, will serve as the event moderators. 

Those unable to attend the lecture can click here stream it online in real time at URI Live.