The University of Rhode Island’s College of Engineering has long played a critical role in the state’s economic development, and the impact is impressive well beyond our borders. More than 750 Rhode Island companies employ URI engineering graduates and more than 4,000 URI-educated engineers live in the state. In addition, more than 30 Rhode Island companies were started by URI engineering graduates.

Engineering students participate in internships at companies throughout the state and work with faculty on projects for the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, major construction firms, the health care industry, international agencies, as well as many others.

More than 750 Rhode Island companies employ URI engineering graduates…Not only that, but after graduation our students earn an average annual salary of more than $60,000.

Not only that, but after graduation our students earn an average annual salary of more than $60,000.

But the University and its College of Engineering want to do even more for Rhode Island and its students. A “yes” vote on Question 4 on the November ballot authorizes $45.5 million in bonds to expand the University of Rhode Island’s highly successful College of Engineering and create a URI affiliated Innovation Campus Program that will pair research from the state’s academic institutions with private sector investments.

“With more than 96 percent of our engineering students gaining employment after graduation at an average salary of $63,000, approval of Question 4 will help expand this successful program and allow higher education institutions to partner with the private sector to prepare Rhode Island for the jobs of the future,” said URI President David M. Dooley.

“Expanding URI’s College of Engineering by voting Yes on 4 is a smart investment by Rhode Islanders,” said Engineering Dean Raymond Wright. “I’ve seen firsthand how companies in Rhode Island and across the nation seek to employ our engineering students. With a nearly 50 percent increase in enrollment in engineering since 2003, approving Question 4 will expand our capacity, build more relationships with the private sector and put even more of our talented students to work at good-paying jobs.”

Banner photo: Kevin Stabinsky ’16, Ocean Engineering, at work on his “Entrepreneurial Engineering” J-Term project