KINGSTON, R.I. ÔÇô Aug. 15, 2023 ÔÇô Barbara Wolfe and Christian Cowan Receive PBN Leaders and Achievers Awards

University of Rhode Island Provost Barbara Wolfe and URI Research Foundation Executive Director Christian Cowan have been named recipients of the prestigious 2023 PBN Leaders and Achievers awards by Providence Business News. This annual program recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the Rhode Island business community and have demonstrated leadership, community service, and mentoring.

Cowan and Wolfe will be honored at a special event on August 23, alongside other esteemed 2023 honorees.

E. Paul Larrat, Dean of URI’s College of Pharmacy, was the recipient of the award in 2019, marking the first year of the award’s inception.

Barbara Wolfe: A Trailblazer in Academic Leadership

Barbara Wolfe joined the URI community in 2016 and previously served as the dean of URI’s College of Nursing before assuming her current role as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs in January. She is widely recognized as an expert in psychiatric and mental health nursing as well as eating disorders. During her tenure, Wolfe successfully enhanced the national profile and reputation of the College of Nursing while prioritizing student success and faculty support. Her dedication to her field has earned her the prestigious Psychiatric Nurse of the Year award from the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

The driving force behind Wolfe’s commitment to URI is its mission and dedication to providing accessible public education. She firmly believes that public education is pivotal to societal advancement and emphasizes the need to equip students with the necessary skills to address the numerous challenges facing society. As the top academic official at URI, Wolfe oversees nine academic colleges, University College for Academic Success, more than 800 faculty members, and her provost responsibilities encompass a wide range of areas like diversity, enrollment, research, and scholarship.

Wolfe actively engages with the URI campus community by taking regular walks around campus, ensuring that she stays connected with the pulse of the university. This involvement not only keeps her well-informed but also fuels her enthusiasm to promote URI both within and beyond the campus. The recognition bestowed upon URI by Providence Business News is a testament to the institution’s ongoing success and the palpable energy that pervades the university.

Christian Cowan: Bridging URI Research with the State

Christian Cowan, another distinguished recipient of the 2023 award, is widely respected for his expertise in economic and workforce development. He currently serves as the executive director of the URI Research Foundation, where he previously held the position of chief operating officer. Cowan’s exemplary leadership has ensured that the foundation effectively manages millions of dollars in sponsored research and economic development grant funding, fosters collaboration with industry partners, and creates workforce development opportunities in Rhode Island, particularly for underserved communities. The foundation’s contributions to the state include generating over $20 million in annual economic impact, preserving vital manufacturing jobs, and facilitating valuable corporate engagement that attracts new investment to URI and Rhode Island.

The URI Research Foundation plays a vital role in Rhode Island’s statewide economy by connecting University expertise and innovation with the broader community and commercializing technology through research, projects, and partnerships. By actively collaborating with URI research projects and initiatives, the manufacturing community, and other regional resources, the foundation accelerates innovation, advancement, and entrepreneurship within Rhode Island’s commercial and technological ecosystem. The foundation has fortified its partnerships in several key areas, such as offshore renewable wind energy, local healthy food supply, and the development of a thriving Blue Economy in the state and region. Recently, the Office of Naval Research awarded the URI Research Foundation a substantial $2.4 million grant to advance blue economy, marine, and energy technologies, thereby bolstering the Rhode Island economy and its workforce.

Cowan recognizes the significance of connecting URI student and faculty teams with technology-based ventures to solve complex problems. He believes that the URI Research Foundation, as a catalytic organization, has had a profound impact on the technology acceleration and manufacturing communities. Cowan is gratified to define the foundation’s role within the regional ecosystem and enhance its positive influence on URI, the technology-based industries, and opportunities for all communities. Notably, Cowan is not only a notable leader in his current role but he is also a URI alumnus, having earned his MBA from the University in 1998.

Both Cowan and Wolfe are excited about representing URI at the upcoming August event and eagerly look forward to connecting with other University alumni being honored. They are keen to hear about their experiences and collaboratively demonstrate the value of a URI education. The event will bring together esteemed alumni honorees like Jonathan Houston ’73, founder and CEO of Justice Assistance; Jeffrey Cascione ’82 ’01, senior vice president of Navigant Credit Union; James McAssey G’94, president of Brave River Solutions Inc.; and Leland Merrill G’99, executive vice president of Centreville Bank. This recognition follows a recently held Providence Business News event, where 12 URI alumni were recognized as the largest alumni group among the 40 Under 40 Award winners.