Congratulations to our July 2025 Member of the Month (MeMo) Keri Rossi-D’entremont! National College Attainment Network (NCAN) staff asked her both professional and personal questions so you can get to know her and the work she does better.
Name: Keri Rossi-D’entremont
Location: Providence, RI
Alma Mater: Rhode Island College
Title and Organization: Senior Director of College Access and Success at Onward We Learn
Professional Questions
Q: What brought you to the college access and success field initially? A: Working in college access is important to me both personally
and professionally. I joined Onward We Learn in January 2022 after working directly in postsecondary education for 19 years in various roles from coordinator, to director, to assistant dean. As a first-gen college graduate, I was looking for a role
that would allow me to continue doing the kind of work that I loved, but with more direct access to a community of students and their families. Onward We Learn checked all of the boxes as Rhode Island's most comprehensive college access and success
organization.
Q: What do you love most about your role or organization? A: Onward We Learn works with students from middle school through college graduation. I love the long term relationships we form with students and their
families, and the impact we have on their educational trajectory and social mobility. Seeing students grow, succeed and reach their goals is by far the biggest reward. I am honored to work among a team of dedicated staff throughout the organization
who share the same passion and dedication for the work that I do, including several Onward We Learn alumni.
Q: What's your favorite thing about being an NCAN member? A: I enjoy NCAN member resources, especially the library of webinars. I find the frequent updates in Success Digest, newsletters, social media
posts and other communications extremely helpful for staying informed in live time about best practices, policy, and advocacy in the field of college access and success. I have made connections and collaborated with other members on several projects.
NCAN provides great opportunities to form communities of practice.
Q: What advice do you have for people who are new to college attainment work? A: Forming strong partnerships both secondary and postsecondary institutions
is very important in this work as well as having a good handle on your student data and outcomes. Take advantage of the many resources and examples NCAN provides to see ways to grow and innovate. Aside from the business side of things, let authenticity
and passion guide you. While systematic barriers can be challenging, don't let them steal your joy. Continue to advocate to address educational disparities and know that your advocacy and dedication makes a difference in students' lives. Celebrate
every win.
Personality Questions
Every month, our MeMos will be answering some fun questions to help us get to know their “out of office” side!
Q: If you were dropped into any movie or TV show as a new main character, what movie or TV show would you pick and why? A: The Never Ending Story, so I could take a flight on Falkor.
Q: You get to host a dinner party with five people, dead or alive, famous or not. Who are you hosting? A: This
would be a party with four loved ones lost who I owe so much to who were superstars in my life: My grandparents Mary & Alfred DiBiasio, my Grandpa Fred Rossi, my dear friend Mark Gunning, and I'd also invite Maya Angelou who we'd all enjoy and
learn from.
Q: What's one thing you'd like to cross off your personal bucket list? Is there one thing you've crossed off already that you're really proud of? A: Already crossed off the list: swimming with dolphins in 2023.
Still on the list: take a Viking River Cruise.
Q: Imagine you could teleport anywhere. Where would you go right now and why? A: The Amalfi Coast in Italy for the tranquil ocean views and delicious cuisine.
Q: What's your favorite food, and one food you don't like? A: I love pizza and hate onions!
Q: If you could immediately be fluent in one language AND proficiently play one instrument, which language and instrument would you choose and why? A: Spanish
because it would be useful in my work. Piano because I always wanted to learn but only got so far as keyboard lessons in my elementary school.
Q: You HAVE to sing at karaoke. What song do you pick? A: Get Up,
Stand Up by Bob Marley & The Wailers.
Q: What’s one topic, not related to education/college attainment, that you could give an impromptu 45 minute TEDTalk about? A: Nursing home reform, and resident and caregiver
rights.
Q: What's on your to be read next list? A: "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins.
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