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Erik Rossi is our mobile middle school advisor. He graduated from Central High School in 2011 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in human development and family studies from the University of Rhode Island in 2015. Prior to joining our advisory staff, he served as a peer advisor at URI and as a case worker for children and teens with developmental and physical disabilities.

1. What are the most challenging and most rewarding parts of being a mobile advisor?

One of the most challenging things about being a mobile advisor is maintaining student relationships. Some of our students are scattered all throughout Rhode Island and are not around other Crusaders. Every student has their own unique situation and as an advisor, I have to be understanding and meet students at their level. One of the most rewarding things about being a mobile advisor is being able to carry out our mission and allowing it to flourish through students who do not belong to our regular schools.

2. Before the pandemic, your mom opened a restaurant. What’s your favorite dish of hers?    

One of my favorite things that my mom makes is pupusas. It is a cheese-filled tortilla and sometimes it is mixed with meats or vegetables. My favorite kind is one that is filled with cheese and a special kind of edible flower called loroco!

3. What kind of music is your usual soundtrack?

I like to listen to a lot of old school rap such as Tupac and Biggie. Sometimes the occasional Linkin Park is needed for the soul. I also like to listen to a lot of electric dance music when I am working out. When I am trying to be productive with something, I like to listen to a lot of lo-fi music.

4. When you were 10 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was 10 years old, I wanted to be a video game developer and help create and test new games.

5. Name one thing you knocked off your bucket list and one thing that’s still on it.

One thing that I knocked off of my bucket list was visiting the ancient ruins of Tikal in Guatemala. I always have wanted to visit the pyramids and I finally had a chance to go see them! It was a great experience and I would love to go back because there is still so much more there that I did not get to completely explore. One thing that is still on my bucket list is scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef!

6. What’s your dream travel destination once it’s safe again?

One place that I would like to travel to is Laos, the country where my wife’s family is from! I love the food from there and I would love to try all the authentic dishes.

7. What is one thing most people might not know about you? Any unusual skills or talents?

One of my favorite hobbies is going fishing. I love going to new fishing spots and I think that it is very relaxing and therapeutic, especially being by the water.

8. Is your favorite time of day sunrise, daytime, sunset or nighttime and why?

I like seeing the sunrise! There is nothing like it. During some fishing trips, I would always try to plan to go before the sun rises. I think that it is a great way to start your day.

9. Pick a superpower: invisibility or flight and why?

I would pick flight. I would have the ability to travel anywhere and go at any time.

10. What’s your life motto or favorite saying?

One of my life mottos is to live your life through shared experiences, meaning to create or find unique opportunities to share with friends, family and peers. Life is more enjoyable and meaningful if you’re able to experience it with people who are important to you!

Ashlie Rockwood is our advisor at Nathanael Green Middle School in Providence. Born in Boston, she graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in public health and a minor in education. She moved to Providence and, before joining the College Crusade, worked as a counselor for the Girls Empowerment and Mentoring Support Program conducted by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

1. When it’s safe to travel again, what’s your bucket list destination?

I actually have one of my bucket list destinations booked already – Alaska for 10 days in August! Nature adventures over big city trips have taken over my bucket list.

2. What is one thing most people might not know about you?

I’ve taught a sexual health education class the last two summers to middle school girls in Providence. The MS team actually helped me develop my class name this summer. It was called “OK Bloomer.”  

3. What’s the best advice you ever received?

Invest in experiences over material possessions. Experiences are fleeting, which is a good thing because we don’t have the chance to get used to them. Humans are conditioned to get used to things and that’s why happiness for material possessions fade.

4. What is your favorite food or meal?

Literally anything buffalo chicken. I love it in all its forms – dip, wings, subs, calzones, pizza, literally anything. Also, NO blue cheese, only ranch. When I go to a restaurant, I often have to force myself to expand my horizons and not just order buffalo chicken like I always do.

5. What do you like doing outside of work hours? Any hobbies?

I love exploring new breweries; preferably dog friendly ones so my dog Hershey can come along. I used to work at a brewery in Western Mass in college, which started my love of beer. I’ve since visited breweries in every New England state! I love getting new apparel or brewery stickers from places I really enjoy to remember the experience.

6. If you had to delete all but three apps from your phone, which ones would you keep?

• Google maps, obviously. Only way to navigate to new breweries.  
• Instagram since it’s like Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook all in one.
• Venmo; your girl needs to get paid for dog walking.

7. What is your favorite time of day and why?

I would say sunset because after the time change for spring, I can see the sunset right from my porch every day. I also feel like once the sun goes down, it’s time to fully relax. Daylight makes me feel the pressure to be productive.

8. If you could time travel, would you go back in time or into the future? Any specific point in time you’d like to explore?

Probably back in time because I am too cynical about what climate change will do to our future. Most likely the 1980s because my mom got me to love the style and music.

9. What fictional family would you like to be a member of and why?

The Addams Family, The Munsters, The Cromwells from Halloweentown – honestly, any family in a world with spooky, Halloween-type vibes. It was legit my childhood dream to live in a fantasy world with witches and mystical creatures where it was Halloween all the time.

10. What music is your usual soundtrack?

Anything early 2000s. Basically the music I grew up with as a child. Britney, Green Day, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Bon Jovi, Destiny’s Child. I feel old because I get stressed trying to keep up with all the new music coming out these days.

Sarah Lessard is our program specialist working with the middle school team, where she coordinates our reporting system, oversees student program attendance and service data, and plays a key role in our daily communications with families and students. Before taking on this role, she served as a middle school advisor in Cranston and West Warwick. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Bachelor of Science in human development and family studies from URI and a T.E.F.L. certification from Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Spain.

1. If you could live anywhere in the world for a year (post-pandemic, of course), where would it be?

I would choose to live in Italy (to eat all the pasta!) or I would go back to Spain (I miss the croquetas and flamenco.)

2. What is the best part of your job?

The co-workers! And seeing students enjoy our programs.

3. We heard you and your friends started a book club during the pandemic. What was your favorite book so far?

Right now, we are reading “The Samurai’s Garden” written by Gail Tsukiyama, and it’s good so far! I also liked “How Starbucks Saved My Life” written by Michael Gates Gill.

4. What two or three people would you love to meet for coffee?

My grandfather on my father’s side (he passed away before I was born). I’ve heard wonderful stories about him, and he was also a World War II veteran. Also, Lady Gaga. I still want to know why she thought wearing a meat dress was a good idea.

5. You became an aunt last summer! What family traditions are you looking forward to carrying on with your niece as she grows up?

Teaching her how to make homemade pasta! Every year, my mom throws a “pasta party” and we make ravioli, gnocchi, linguini, and homemade gravy and clam sauce.

6. You have to sing karaoke; what song do you pick?

You would never ever catch me singing karaoke! But if I had to sing a song, I’d choose “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by the Eurhythmics.

7. If you could learn one new personal or professional skill, what would it be?

Mastering the art of public speaking (without turning red haha!)

8. What is something your co-workers might not know about you?

I’m a certified Reiki Master Practitioner! I’m also a claircognizant; I’ve predicted things that haven’t yet happened, and I’ve also seen things for people, yet I wouldn’t have ever known about it. Information just randomly comes to me out of the blue.

9. What favorite food or restaurant are you looking forward to once things open up more?

In general, I miss being able to go out for a drink and sit at a bar.

10. We learned during the HS team Kahoot that you’re a twin. Did you get into any twin mischief growing up? Any “twin intuition” experiences?

This is strange, and we discovered this a few years ago. But whenever I have a headache, my brother gets one the next day! But never the other way around. Poor guy.

Anthony Mam, our college success coach at the University of Rhode Island, graduated from Bryant University with a Bachelor’s of Science in actuarial mathematics and Master of Science in college student personnel from the University of Rhode Island. He was the first in his family to earn a college degree and wanted to be that same support system for first-gen students. He previously served as a high school advisor in Woonsocket.

1. What is your favorite part of your job?

Witnessing the sigh of relief and gratefulness a student feels after I coached them through academic, financial or social issues. Recently, a student expressed immense gratitude to me after receiving a laptop for her schoolwork through the Emergency Fund. It made me smile from ear to ear and lightened up my day.

2. Most of us know you’re a big Harry Potter fan. Do you have a favorite character, book and/or movie?

My favorite Harry Potter movie is “Deathly Hallows Part II” because I love action, and that movie is definitely jampacked with it.

3. When it’s safe to travel again, what’s on the top of your travel bucket list?

I would love to backpack throughout Italy. I am semi-fluent in Italian and would love to use it before I lose it. Rome, Venice and Florence are a definite must.

4. What two or three people would you love to meet for coffee?

I would love to meet my late grandfather for coffee. He was a family hero for getting my family away to America from the Khmer Rouge while sacrificing life. I wish I got to know him, since he’s the spitting image of me. The second one is Hilary Duff, my childhood celebrity crush since “Casper Meets Wendy”!!

5. If you could immediately gain one skill, what would it be?

I would love to truly practice mindfulness. I would love to tune out everything and focus on the now.

6. What is one thing most people might not know about you?

I’m very impulsive in my personal life. Once I think I want to do something, I do it. One day I woke up and decided to drive to Provincetown for the day, and when I was there, I decided to stay overnight.

7. You’ve mentioned your mentor. How important has it been to have a mentor and what’s the best advice she ever gave you?

My mentor has always had my back no matter what. She has affirmed my worth and supported my future goals by sharing opportunities that will develop me further. The best advice she has given me was to be authentic and unapologetically me. I don’t have to change who I am to appease others.

8. If you could listen to only one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

It definitely has to be John Mayer’s “Room for Square” (standout songs like “No Such Thing” and “Your Body is a Wonderland”). It brings me back to a time when life was simple.

9. What meal or restaurant visit are you looking forward to once things open up a bit more?

I’m looking forward to going to Blu on the Water on the deck with a large group of friends, enjoying the raw bar and wine.

10. What’s your life motto or favorite saying?

“Celebrate. Educate. Advocate.” I actually have this tattooed on my arm. I am very committed to diversity and social justice. I want everyone to celebrate diversity, educate each other about differences, and advocate for the voices of the unheard.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (July 9, 2018) – The College Crusade of Rhode Island’s summer learning season starts this month, offering many local youth the opportunity to have fun and acquire new skills while school is out.

A highlight of the summer is the Dolphin Program, a hands-on environmental education experience developed in partnership with the Block Island Maritime Institute. From July 9 to August 10, dozens of College Crusade students in grades 8-11 will spend a week living on Block Island and learning about ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability.

Other summer programs for middle school students include Rhode Island Write on Sports, which gets young people involved in creating sports stories and short video reports and learning interviewing and editorial skills, and the Wheeler Summer Program, which offers a three-week hands-on forensics curriculum with a focus on critical thinking and deductive reasoning. A popular summer option is the Crusade Adventure & Academic Program (CAAP), a two-week program in adventure education that develops skills in problem solving, team building, leadership, and healthy risk taking.

Summer programs for high school students include Crusade Summer Experience, which helps to develop skills in public speaking, team building, project planning, and leadership during a week on the campus of University of Rhode Island. In Creative College Essay Writing, students learn how to produce a quality college essay and build writing skills that make them more confident in their expressive abilities. Students entering grade 9 can participate in Passageways, an interactive program on how to make a successful transition to high school, and Math Matters, which helps them improve their math skills and prepare for classroom success. Additional programs for high school are Project Open Door, a weeklong workshop in digital photography hosted by Rhode Island School of Design, the SPIRIT Program, and classes offered by Brown Summer High School and the Johnson & Wales University Career Exploration Program.

College Crusade programming also includes summer transition support for high school graduates who are planning to enroll in college next fall. The UCRU 2 College program offers students starting their first year of college engaging activities and discussions designed to prepare them to navigate the higher education environment.