Collect as many personal details about the graduate as you can. These should include her full name (including maiden name), date of birth, Social Security number, the title of the course he studied and the graduation date.
Request proof of the applicant's degree. This could be the original certificate itself or a color copy. You should also ask the potential employee to sign a release of information form so that you have permission to check his academic and employment background.
Contact the Rhode Island College Records Office via phone or email and ask to verify the student's academic history. The department will need the student's personal details such as name, student identification number, course title and date of graduation. Alternatively, contact the National Student Clearinghouse, a non-profit organization that enables the verification of student degrees and enrollments.
Cross-check this information with that supplied by the potential employee on the application form. If he has supplied false information or embellished his academic history, then you should immediately discard the application.