Roger Williams University has officially opened the Center for Corporate Communication (CCC) on its Providence campus, providing students with a hands-on space to gain real-world experience in corporate communications. The center connects students with local companies, nonprofits, and government agencies.

At the heart of the CCC is the Sandcastle PR Lab, where students act as account executives, managing client projects while developing research and communication strategies. According to Amiee Shelton, RWU Public Relations professor and director of the center, the lab is “both a creative studio and a professional training ground,” helping students build practical experience early in their college careers.

The CCC launched with its first client, the Rhode Island Commercial and Appraisal Board of Realtors (RICABOR), which serves brokers and licensees in the commercial real estate and appraisal industries. This partnership was made possible by RWU alumnus Robert Fox, a former PR student.

Current plans for the CCC include students taking on roles as account executives in teams of five, working with real-world clients. For students like Eryn Parlin, a senior Public Relations major from New Sharon, Maine, the center is a game-changer. “The center allows students to get comfortable in an agency-style environment,” Parlin said. “We’ll be acting as full-service account executives for real clients, while local businesses get access to passionate students who are eager to succeed.”

The opening event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a reception, followed by a presentation on the center’s upcoming plans. Peter Thomas, Director of Partnerships & Innovation at RWU Extension School, Jeffrey Meriwether, Dean of the Feinstein School of Humanities, Arts, and Education, and Sandra Mazo, Assistant Director of Commerce for the City of Pawtucket, were all in attendance.