info.risd.edu

Center for Student Involvement (CSI)

The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) is an on-campus resource that offers RISD students several opportunities to grow as critical thinkers and global citizens. In advancing this mission, CSI creates and oversees programs and initiatives in the following areas:

  • campus activities
  • new student orientation
  • the Student Alliance (undergraduate student governing board)
  • student organizations
  • athletics and fitness
  • leadership development
  • service and experiential learning

CSI encourages students to visit involved.risd.edu to discover student organizations and volunteer/service opportunities, and to register for events.

Staff

Becky Cole
Assistant Director, Student Events and Programming
401 427-6914
rcole@risd.edu

Chelsea Davignon
Associate Director
401 454-6191
cdavigno@risd.edu

Jade Johnson
Assistant Director, Student Organizations and Leadership
401 277-4970
jjohns05@risd.edu

Sarah Knarr
Director
401 709-8621
sknarr@risd.edu

Byron Olson
Joseph N. Gebbia Jr. Assistant Director of Athletics
401 427-3059
bolson01@risd.edu

Brenda Pacheco
Budget and Student Organization Finance Manager
401 454-6776
bpacheco@risd.edu

Kyree Saintilus
Athletic Club Coordinator
401 454-6573
ksaint01@risd.edu

Student organizations and campus activities

CSI provides general oversight for more than 50 student-led organizations that connect students from similar identities and cultural backgrounds or who share interests in athletics, entrepreneurship, global impact and more. Additionally, CSI sponsors campus-wide events including but not limited to Welcome Week, Block Party, Artist Ball, Care Week and Open Studios.

To learn more and to find student organizations and events of interest, visit involved.risd.edu.

Leadership development

RISD students can develop leadership skills by participating in programs offered through CSI, including the annual orientation leader program, Campus Activities Board, student organizations, service learning experiences, or by running for leadership positions within the Student Alliance, RISD's undergraduate student governing board.

Service and experiential learning

Throughout their RISD experience, students can participate in a variety of community service programs and experiential learning opportunities. Among these, CSI provides support and oversight for the following:

  • Martin Luther King Day of Service
  • Alternative Spring Break
  • Leadership and Community Engagement (LACE) fellowship program

CSI also partners with RISD’s Center for Community Partnerships to build and maintain relationships with area nonprofits and other organizations by connecting interested students with service and leadership development opportunities, and through other forms of ongoing communication and engagement.

Orientation programs

Incoming undergraduate students participate in one or more of the orientation programs organized by CSI, including events and information sessions for new, transfer and international students. CSI also oversees the orientation leader program as well as Welcome Week activities.