Rhode Island Association Of Admissions Officers
What is RIAAO?
The Rhode Island Association of Admission Officers (RIAAO), founded in 1976, is a professional network of college and university admission, enrollment, and records professionals representing NEASC-accredited institutions across the Ocean State.
RIAAO is dedicated to supporting students, families, and educators throughout the college search and enrollment process. Each year, we host a nationally recognized college fair, award scholarships to students attending member institutions, and coordinate a counselor tour that highlights the unique opportunities available at our member schools.
Explore more about our work, our members, and how we help connect students to higher education opportunities below.
Looking to get Involved? Become a Member!
*
Looking to get Involved? Become a Member! *
Looking to get involved? Join RIAAO and make an impact. Whether you're an experienced professional ready to mentor or just starting out and looking to grow, we’d love to have you.
RIAAO Counselor Tour Spring 2026
RIAAO hosts an annual Counselor College Tour, which allows counselors to visit the 10 four-year institutions in Rhode Island. This program is open to domestic and international school counselors from public, private, and parochial secondary schools, as well as independent counselors and community college advisors. Every stop includes a campus tour, meeting with admission representatives, breakfast/lunch/dinner, and other programming the institution has designed. Counselors can expect to spend up to 3 hours at each institution.
Thank you to all school counselors who joined our recent Counselor Tour.
Featuring Representatives From:
Brown University • Bryant University • Johnson & Wales University • New England Institute of Technology • Providence College • Rhode Island College • Rhode Island School of Design • Roger Williams University • Salve Regina University • University of Rhode Island
Letter from the President
Founded in 1976, RIAAO is committed to providing access to higher education for high school students, adult learners, and those seeking transfer to a Rhode Island college or university. Annually, the organization sponsors a fall college fair, a spring college tour for counselors, and scholarships for RI residents, transfer students, and others living in the New England region.
On behalf of the RIAAO membership, I wish you the best of luck with your year and look forward to supporting Rhode Island.
Sincerely,
Colin Staples, RIAAO President
University of Rhode Island
Meet Our Executive Board
-
Colin Staples
President
Admissions Counselor
University of Rhode Island
-
Katherine Burdick
President-Elect & Scholarship Committee Chair
Admissions Counselor
Providence College
-
Michael Rossi
Secretary
Admissions Officer
Salve Regina University
-
Rachel Cleary
Treasurer
Admissions Officer
New England Institute of Technology
-
Mitchell Burns
Past-President
CRM Specialist
Rhode Island College
-
Jacob Allen
Counselor Tour Chair
Admissions Counselor
Roger Williams University
-
Caitlin Kelly
Transfer & Adult Learner Committee Chair
Admissions Counselor
Salve Regina University
-
Maya Suggs
College Fair Co-Chair
Admissions Officer
Rhode Island College