Rhode Island College's new president selected. Here's why he was chosen.

Rhode Island College's new president isn't new to the job.

Interim President Jack Warner will have his post made permanent, after being selected over two other finalists for the title.

On Wednesday, the Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education voted unanimously in favor of Warner, concluding a national search for the college's leader.

"I have said since the beginning of my interim tenure that I am all in on RIC, and I look forward to doubling down on the momentum we've built now that I have the privilege of leading this institution for the long term," Warner said in a statement. "There is much work ahead of us to continue building an anchor institution for the state that is responsive, innovative and collaborative."

Interviews with candidates wrapped up earlier this month. In addition to Warner, the council considered Dean Libutti, associate vice president for enrollment management and student success at the University of Rhode Island, and Jeffrey Osborn, former provost and vice president for academic affairs at The College of New Jersey.

Who were the other candidates?Rhode Island College is interviewing for its next president

Warner has been leading RIC since 2022, working to improve its finances as an enrollment decline and staff cuts threatened the school's success. Part of the solution, he has said, lies in attracting some of the 100,000-plus Rhode Islanders who already have some college credits but dropped out.

"Dr. Warner is a deeply experienced postsecondary education expert with administrative and teaching expertise, and as interim president of Rhode Island College he has delivered significant achievements," said council Chairman David Caprio. "The quality of the individuals that had applied for this position was impressive, making it a very difficult decision."

Warner's contract, salary and start date will be negotiated in the coming weeks.