Ripoli’s home told a story before they had the chance. Lining the mantel was a sailboat that presumably required patience and tiny magnified lenses to assemble, images in frames that range in era, some of the figures in uniform and some with family photo smiles. Gracing the bottom of the screen were the black, silk ears of a Labrador retriever named Cash, who works as Ripoli’s service animal. The retired veteran’s life is nothing short of accomplished. Ripoli’s teaching style and conversation is rooted in the ability to story tell.
They put their audience in the heavy, industrial strength boots of a corpsman during tours in Iraq and Africa, the labyrinth-like hallways of the Pentagon and the school desks at Salve Regina and Roger Williams University getting a Master’s and Law degree as an ‘SOS’ “Slightly Older Student” as they like to call it. After serving for two decades, receiving two advanced degrees and holding a cabinet position, Ripoli was unsure where to turn when looking for a new path. Unable to apply for a position during administration’s term they returned to their alma mater, Salve Regina University.
As Ripoli’s time as an active duty soldier and a government position-holder came to an end, retirement seemed too quiet. What called their name was an open position as an adjunct faculty member of the University’s Political Science department; a title Ripoli was more than ready and qualified for. Currently, the accomplished veteran has now dedicated nearly three years to the Salve Regina community.
Q: What aspects made you initially want to join the military?
A: Let’s just say my parents had four kids, I was number four, and they were older… I was down in Florida at our home with my brother. Needless to say, when I was there on the five year plan, and I still didn’t finish my degree, I knew what I wanted, but I had a hard time articulating it to my parents, and I didn’t want to waste their money and I had been recruited out of high school, by Navy recruiters. My uncle was a Navy Chief Petty Officer, so I thought, all right, I’m going to go in. So when I had one year left of college, two semesters to graduate, I just felt like I needed some direction. And so that’s why I went in, and, and I didn’t want to waste my parents money.
Q: Is there anything you would wish you had known before going into the military?
A: I guess the biggest thing was, when I went in, it’s not what we are now. Not everything was open for women. Some of the things that I wanted to do, I couldn’t do. So I think I still would have taken the same path that I took, but maybe not so disappointed in not getting that first choice. I would hate it. I hated anything that my gender precluded me from doing, especially if I thought I could do it. I was feisty that way.
Q: Is there anything you would wish you had known before going into higher education?
A: As far as academia is concerned, maybe understanding the culture. Talking as somebody who [is an] adjunct faculty, because you’re not full-time faculty, there are a lot of places that hire adjunct [professors]. I think that you know, we’re sometimes blamed overall as a group if there’s an issue with the student body. And so, for me, I mean, because I got my master’s at Salve, I signed up, and I’m faculty mentor to the field hockey team, the Women’s rugby team, and sailing because I want to be able to be out there and show them that I support what they’re doing. Having played sports, I can help them out in any way. I want to be able to do that. Sometimes you’re just not really thought of very well, they talk a good talk, you know, when you read how things are, it’s like, “Yeah, okay.”
Q: Were there culture shocks in the transition from the student and military role to the role of a professor?
A: There’s a loss. When you’re not in the military anymore, there’s this brotherhood, there’s this thing, you’re in it together. That isn’t there anymore. Not that you’re thought of poorly, but you transition now you’re a veteran, you’re not in the military anymore. And that, that bond, that camaraderie, while we say, “Go Navy beat Army,” when we’re deployed somewhere, I don’t care who you are, if you’re wearing the flag of our country, we’re all on the same team.
Q: Having explored so many different fields and obtained two advanced degrees, is there anything you are still learning or are interested in learning?
A: Well, I like the areas that I’m in. I want to learn more about the philosophy of stoicism. When I came back from Iraq, and I’m not ashamed to say I have pretty significant PTSD, it’s why I have Cash. I had read something about Admiral Stockdale, he was somebody who I admired. He was Ross Perot’s vice-presidential candidate. But he also was a medal of honor winner, and he was in the Hanoi Hilton. He talked about how he learned about that philosophy of stoicism because there’s misconceptions about it. It can help you kind of quiet the warrior mindset. That’s an area that it’s unfortunate it isn’t taught, it’s obvious that there is philosophy, but it’s not stoicism. That’s something I’m learning just to help kind of quiet my mind and help in that way. But also, because I’m kind of an introvert, and you will never catch me in any kind of group therapy thing. I wrote a paper where we use it as a book club format. So we learn about stoicism, which helps people with PTSD, and in other things. So we read the book, and we talk about it, and a psychologist is there, and then maybe somebody as a facilitator who understands that philosophy. As a non-traditional way to help with [PTSD].
Q: What is something you wish people knew about you that may not translate on paper or in-person?
A: I’m not the tallest. But I have been told that while I’m in a small package, I could be kind of intimidating, not sure. But once you get to know me, I’m pretty funny and I’d give you the shirt off my back.
Catherine Fiocco Portfolio 
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