Less than five years ago, Christopher Bizzacco '03.5 was a student in PS 111: "Mass Media." By his sophomore year, a conversation at the Ratty with a fellow member of the College Democrats led him to an internship for then-state representative David Cicilline '83.
That internship was the beginning of Bizzacco's meteoric rise through the ranks of Providence city government.
Bizzacco's precocious work researching issues such as government ethics quickly sparked the attention of Cicilline, who was planning his 2002 bid for the mayor's seat. Cicilline approached Bizzacco with the opportunity to manage his mayoral campaign.
"Chris is quick, smart," Cicilline said. "At the time, we were furiously putting together our campaign, and were already looking at the best people in the country for media and polling. Even though he had never run a campaign like this before, Chris quickly distinguished himself as an extraordinary leader. We were confident he could handle the job (of campaign manager)."
Cicilline reflected on a campaign stop he made with Bizzacco at a Latino nightclub in East Providence.
"The owner of the club brought out two El Presidentes. Then, I realized my campaign manager isn't even old enough to drink," Cicilline said.
Cicilline, of course, went on to sweep the 2002 general election with 84 percent of the vote. And Bizzacco, still in his mid-20s, is currently the mayor's deputy chief of staff.
This position requires that Bizzacco work alongside city council members in dealing with policy initiatives. In addition, he handles day-to-day management of various activities in the mayor's office, Cicilline said.
"He's a remarkable deputy chief of staff," Cicilline added. "He's incredibly skilled with people, universally loved and respected. He works seven days around the clock. We're committed to the same ideals on making Providence the best it can be. I consider myself fortunate to have met him."
Bizzacco also acts as a liaison with other boards and commissions that run the gamut from budgetary to zoning issues.
"I get involved with a little bit of everything," Bizzacco said. "I guess the best way to (define my responsibilities) is as the eyes and ears of the mayor."
Bizzacco said his time at Brown encouraged his involvement in local politics. He praised the University's academic freedom in helping students take risks and become more proactive in achieving their goals.
"As an offshoot of the open curriculum, I think there is this belief that students should experiment with academic pursuits. ... You try something, you move on to the next thing. Practically speaking, you're pushed to try to learn and adapt," Bizzacco said.
Although Bizzacco said he "regretted not building relationships with more professors," the opportunity to learn hands-on skills out of the classroom was something he couldn't pass up. He did get a chance, however, to carry out an independent study with Professor of Political Science Darrell West, political analyst and director of the Taubman Center for Public Policy.
Bizzacco's project focused on analyzing campaign strategies in the 2002 mayoral race, West said.
"He's very politically savvy and understands how to use the political process for social change. ... It's very unusual for a mayoral candidate to trust someone that young to manage a campaign. But Chris is wise beyond his years," West said.
This political activism runs in Bizzacco's family. His late grandfather was a former city council president in Johnston, and in 1996, Bizzacco's mother was elected to the North Providence School Committee.
"Growing up, politics was a part of everyday conversation. I think I was 13 when I helped my mom out with her first campaign," Bizzacco said.
Since leaving Brown, Bizzacco has maintained a strong relationship with his alma mater. This year he spoke at Career Week, and he helps with student outreach programs at City Hall to attract Brown students.
"We have two main programs. One is an internship, the other is the Providence Mayor's fellowship. ... I also get lots of random e-mails from Brown students," Bizzacco said.
Bizzacco encourages students to further Brown's tradition of balancing academics with a commitment to community engagement.
"Get yourself out there in government organizations, NGOs, community-based organizations. They want bright young minds to work with them. Take risks. The sooner you get out there, the better," Bizzacco said.
As for the future, Bizzacco said he is not ruling out the possibility of running for elected office, following a stop in law or graduate school. With the mayor's term soon coming to an end, he said his experiences so far have shown him what it takes to succeed in city government.
"Chris has an extraordinarily bright future. ... I look forward to him continuing a career in public service," Cicilline said.
