Eleanor McMahon was appointed commissioner of higher education for the state of Rhode Island in 1982 and served in that capacity until 1989. Born in Providence, she received a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Elizabeth, a master’s degree from Brown University, and a doctorate in early childhood education from Harvard University. She began her career in education as a teacher in the Pawtucket public schools before becoming a professor at Salve Regina University, where she was assistant professor and director of elementary education.
She next became a professor at Rhode Island College where she served for years until her appointment to the Commission of Higher Education. In her time at RIC, she served as dean of educational studies and provost and vice president of academic affairs and developed the first honors program and merit scholarships at the college.
This collection consists of one VHS recording of the installation of Eleanor McMahon as the first Rhode Island Commissioner of Higher Education at the Rhode Island State House on May 27, 1982.
Researchers are advised to contact Rhode Island College Special Collections for questions regarding permissions to reproduce, distribute, or otherwise publish material from this collection. Although Rhode Island College has physical ownership of the collection, it does not necessarily hold literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
The collection is open for research.
Rhode Island Commissioner of Education installation ceremony recording, MSS-0171, Special Collections, James P. Adams Library, Rhode Island College
The collection consists of one item and therefore has no arrangement.
The collection was in the holdings of Special Collections prior to 2020.
The collection was described by Special Collections Assistant Anne Boylan in 2026.
Digitized copies: This recording has been digitized and is