Project Excel

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What We Do

Project ExCEL supports multilingual students at RIC by providing academic and non-academic support. ​Our Project ExCEL courses aid multilingual students and language learners academically.

Contact Information
Director

Laura Faria-Tancinco
Coordinator of Project ExCEL
Professional Studies and Continuing Education

Andrea Bayona
Admissions Officer for Project ExCEL

Social Media
Welcome to our multilingual community at Rhode Island College!

Academic Support

project excel logo
Project Excel at RIC, Excellence in College for English Learners

This program supports multilingual students and language learners academically through:

  • ExCEL Courses
  • referrals to tutors and other RIC academic support services (the Math Learning Center, the Writing Center, etc.)
  • peer study groups
  • academic networking between peers
  • personalized advice for navigating RIC administrative services (Financial Aid Office, Bursar’s Office, advising, etc.) and more

Non-Academic Support

We also support multilingual students by making connections to:

  • ExCEL Student Mentors
  • campus resources (Counseling Services, Learning for Life) via referrals
  • resources on and off campus (food, housing, etc.)
  • peer to peer social networking
  • other multilingual students at RIC

Our Project ExCEL Staff​

Come see us in Roberts Hall, Office Suite 303. (Number 17 on the campus map.)

Program Details

These are not your average language classes! 

In this program, you will conference with a professor and bring your assignments from other classes to the Project ExCEL meeting. During ExCEL class time, we review your work before you hand it in to your professor. Project ExCEL can help at ANY point of an assignment: beginning, brainstorming, organizing ideas, editing or finishing your final draft. All of this while receiving college credits! 

2 Project ExCEL Courses

We offer 2 courses to help students with their academic needs: 

Course Description Semesters Offered and Hours

ESL 180, 4 credits

This intensive course is designed to prepare students with the strategies to ExCEL in college and includes scheduled, weekly one-on-one conferences with your instructor.

You will learn & practice:

  • Academic Writing Strategies: strategies that will help you feel more confident in your First Year Writing and First Year Seminar courses.
  • Academic Reading: strategies that will help you to read smarter not harder in your college classes. (Students often have to read scientific research, current event articles, etc.)
  • Academic Listening Strategies: strategies that will help you be an active listener and take more effective notes during your lecture classes.
  • Academic Speaking: strategies that will allow you to prepare and practice your class presentations.

Fall, 4 hours per week

ESL 150, 1 credit

This course is designed as a weekly check-in with the Program Coordinator and a way to join RIC's bilingual student community. The course provides continual support until graduation, as students can take it during their freshman year, and continually enroll every semester. Keeping close connections with your ExCEL-lent bilingual community is an important key to staying in school and graduating!​

During each weekly meeting, students:

  • eat together!
  • have assignments reviewed before submitting them to their professor
  • get advice about classes on their schedule
  • get reminders about important academic dates & deadlines
  • study in small groups
  • ask for academic advice
  • learn more about services at RIC (academic and non-academic)​

Please Note: This course is open to all multilingual students on campus and past & present ExCEL students. 

Fall and Spring, 1.5 hours per week

ESL 180, 4 Credits

ESL 180-01
  • Mondays and Wednesdays, 8–9:50 am
  • Course Number: 10895
  • In-person: Craig Lee 109

ESL 150, 1 Credit 

ESL 150-00
  • Tuesdays, 7–8:30 pm
  • Course Number: 10894
  • Online, Synchronous
ESL 150-01
  • Wednesdays, 12:15–1:45 pm
  • Course Number: 10893
  • In Person, Craig Lee 103

Who We Are

We keep in contact with multilingual RIC students. If there is anything we can help you with, we would love to hear about it. We are here to help with issues, whether in or out of the classroom. 

How to Contact Us

How We Can Help

  • connect you with academic guidance

  • help you with academic work and strategies
  • advocate for you
  • help you find on and off campus resources
  • provide a social and academic support network
  • promote peer to peer mentorship

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