About us
We are champions of multilingualism, here to support Rhode Island’s educators, advocates and families, and our multilingual future.
We are champions of multilingualism here to support Rhode Island’s educators, advocates and families, and our multilingual future.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our History
In 2019, the first annual Multilingual Education Advocacy Day at the Rhode Island State House brought together a group of passionate educators, parents, students, community members and 29 organizations to advocate for the expansion of language education programs in public schools. Born of a volunteer-led movement for language education inspired by 2012’s launch of the Rhode Island Roadmap to Language Excellence, the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island has worked to implement the recommendations put forth in the RI Roadmap.
2011
State Language Summit held in Providence of stakeholders from business, government, and education to assess the present and future need for language and cultural skills in our workforce.
2012
Public launch of the Rhode Island Roadmap to Language Excellence, a strategic plan for language education to meet the needs of our state, at the Rhode Island State House.
2013
Development of grassroots support for dual language education; design of new MA in TESOL/Bilingual Dual Language (BDL) Education at URI to provide an additional pathway to Bilingual Dual Language teacher certification in the state.
2014
Rhode Island Board of Education approves RI Dual Language Program Standards based on the Center for Applied Linguistics Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education – Erin Papa leads Rhode Island participation – including district leadership from Pawtucket and South Kingstown – at the Flagship Language Acquisition Network meeting on dual language education in Utah with representation from 20 states.
2015
RI Foundation awards grants to support the development of dual language immersion programs to South Kingstown School Department and the Pawtucket School Department in collaboration with the International Charter School.
2016
Seal of Biliteracy legislation (Sen. Pichardo & Rep. Tanzi) passed and signed into law, making Rhode Island the 24th U.S. State/District with the Seal of Biliteracy, an official recognition on the high school diploma/transcript of proficiency in English plus one or more additional languages.
2018-2021
Continued advocacy to establish a State Language Supervisor position at RIDE through the World Language and Dual Language Immersion Act, sponsored by Sen. Ciccone and Rep Diaz. The bill passes in the Senate, but not in the House. The position is finally allocated in the FY22 budget after 10 years of advocacy. Agniezka Bourret was hired in 2022 as World Language/MLL Specialist at RIDE.
2022
Coalition leads advocacy of Seal of Biliteracy for College Credit bill (Rep. Morales & Sen. Cano). Bill requiring Rhode Island state colleges and universities (CCRI, RIC, URI) to award college credit for the RI Seal of Biliteracy signed into law. Important step towards recognizing and validating the rich linguistic strengths of our community.
2023
Advocacy for the Multilingual Educators Investment Act (Rep. Morales & Sen. Cano) leads to collaboration between the Coalition for a Multilingual RI and the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner and its Rhode Island Reconnect initiative. $500,000 of the $8 million in RI Reconnect funds are allocated in the FY24-26 budget for multilingual adults pursuing Bilingual Dual Language or World Language Teacher Certification.
Our Team
Erin Papa
Executive Director
Alicia Pratt
Coalition Coordinator
Cindy Miranda
Communications Coordinator
Larissa Guido Swenson
PRIME Navigator
Erin L. Papa, Ph.D., is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island which aims to create a culturally sustaining educational environment where all Rhode Island students learn in multiple languages, from Pre-K to college. Erin has worked as an education consultant on projects indicative of her commitment to language education policy as well as programming that is reflective of community strengths. She has taught multilingual learners in K-16 in school and community spaces in the US, China, and Australia. Erin previously served as a faculty member and director of the World Languages Teacher Education Program at Rhode Island College and worked for the Chinese Flagship and International Engineering Programs at the University of Rhode Island. She speaks English, German, Spanish, and some Mandarin Chinese and is reclaiming her heritage language, Italian. You can reach Erin at erinp@multilingualri.org
Alicia Pratt is the Coordinator of the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island. Born in Mexico and raised in a border town in Texas, Alicia grew up immersed in Spanish, her first language, and was able to continue learning and using it throughout her life. In college, Alicia studied German, and later added Mandarin to her linguistic repertoire while teaching English as a Second Language in China. She is committed to continuing her language story by working towards fluency in both German and Mandarin. You can reach Alicia at aliciap@multilingualri.org
Cindy Miranda is a proud Rhode Island native of Mexican and Guatemalan heritage who brings a deep commitment to language access and equity to her work with the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island. Raised in the vibrant Olneyville neighborhood, Cindy uses her multilingualism in English and Spanish to connect with and advocate for her community — both as a dedicated parent of multilingual children in Rhode Island public schools and as an engaged community member. Her lived experience drives her passion for creating inclusive spaces where all languages and cultures are valued. You can reach Cindy at cindym@multilingualri.org
Larissa Guido Swenson was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil and moved to the United States after completing her undergraduate degree in education. After several years working in multilingual education in Rhode Island, Larissa was finally able to have her degree recognized as a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Today, Larissa holds a Master of Arts in teaching in World Languages Education and has over fifteen years of teaching and advocating for multilingual learners. She is committed to expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities to pursue careers in education and to celebrating the value of linguistic and cultural diversity. You can reach Larissa at larissag@multilingualri.org
Our Coalition
The work of the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island is only possible through the collaborative effort of our members, volunteers, staff, and community. Click below if you’d like to become a member. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us at info@multilingualri.org.
At a Glance
10+ Years
of influencing state policy to support bilingual dual language and world language education!
Thousands
of individuals engaged to take action in support of multilingual education!
33
organizations committed to advancing a collective vision for a multilingual Rhode Island!
5
legislative successes supporting multilingual education across the state! And counting!
Hundreds
of multilingual education leaders and advocates developed!
Our Impact in 2025
In 2025, our coalition mobilized a powerful wave of community advocacy. At the House Finance Committee hearing, we showed up with more than FIFTY in-person advocates and submitted FOURTY-EIGHT written testimonies. At the Senate Finance Committee, over FIFTEEN advocates attended in person and TWENTY-SEVEN written testimonies were delivered. Together, we also sent TWO-HUNDRED postcards to state legislators, ensuring our voices were heard across multiple channels.
And our commitment to expanding bilingual education pathways continues to grow: FIFTY-SEVEN individuals have completed our interest form to become certified bilingual educators, and our PRIME Navigator is actively supporting TWENTY-FIVE of them as they move forward on their certification journey.
Bills We Support
Every year, the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island advocates for pieces of legislation that support the development and expansion of multilingual education. Click below to see a full list of the bills we’re tracking this legislative session.
Support and Access to Bilingual Education Act (SABE)
What the SABE Act Does 1. Creates a Dedicated Bilingual Education Support Fund Beginning FY2027, the state will invest $950,000 annually to support: $300,000 for implementation of dual language programs in public school districts $600,000 to expand teacher certification pathways for bilingual dual language (BDL) and world language educators Up to $50,000 for administration (any…
Contact Us
The first step toward making Rhode Island a truly multilingual state is connecting with one another.
We’d love to hear from you. Just send us a message and we’ll get back to you soon.