KINGSTON, R.I. — June 5, 2025 — The University of Rhode Island Foundation and Alumni Engagement has named Sandra Cano director of industry relations. Cano, who brings broad public service, economic development, and education policy experience to the role, will lead the development of new opportunities between URI and industry partners.

“Sandra will serve as a catalyst for advancing the state’s innovation economy by building high-impact partnerships between URI, industry, and government,” said URI President Marc Parlange. “She will lead efforts to attract external funding, convene interdisciplinary collaborations, and advise on strategic economic development initiatives.”

Cano joins the URI Foundation after serving as the New England regional administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration, where she worked to advance small business growth and innovation across the region. Cano served in the Rhode Island Senate from 2018 to 2024, representing District 8 (Pawtucket). She was appointed chair of the Senate Committee on Education in 2021, where she championed access, affordability, and quality in higher education, and was a member of the Senate Committee on Finance.

Prior to her elected service in the state Senate, Cano served as an at-large city councilor for Pawtucket, after serving on the city’s school board.

“Working closely with offices across our campuses, Sandra will align institutional strengths, particularly in research, with regional economic opportunities,” said Mark Antonucci, vice president for advancement and CEO of the URI Foundation. “Sandra brings a unique combination of government leadership and community insight to URI and an ability to build partnerships that create real opportunity.”

URI, as the state’s flagship public institution, serves as a key driver of economic development by fostering innovation, supporting local industries, and collaborating with businesses. As the state’s land-grant institution, URI makes education accessible and conducts research that benefits the public, while its sea-grant status enables cutting-edge work in marine sciences, coastal resilience, and environmental sustainability. URI’s research and workforce development programs help to strengthen Rhode Island’s economic landscape and global competitiveness. The University recently earned prestigious Carnegie R1 status for very high research activity and was named the No. 1 public university in New England by The Wall Street Journal.

“As a proud alumna of URI who has dedicated my career to expanding opportunity through education and supporting small businesses, I am honored to return to the University in this new role,” said Cano. “I am excited to join President Parlange and URI Foundation vice president and CEO Mark Antonucci in advancing URI’s mission to drive innovation, grow our state’s economy, and build strong, sustainable partnerships across sectors. I look forward to helping attract investment, connect research to real-world impact, and elevate URI’s position as Rhode Island’s premier public research university powering the future of our regional economy.”

Cano earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Bryant University, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Rhode Island, and an executive leadership certificate from Harvard University’s Kennedy School. Her appointment with the URI Foundation is effective June 4, 2025.