Caribbean Studies

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) School of Agriculture (SOA) proudly announces that Janice Brooks has become the first student to receive a certificate in horticulture from its academic program. Launched in 2020, the UVI School of Agriculture offers a diverse range of academic opportunities, including five bachelor’s degrees and four associate degrees, along with six certificates in various agricultural disciplines.

The Eastern Caribbean Center (ECC) at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is thrilled to announce its selection as a recipient of two highly competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health’s Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity (AIM-AHEAD) program. These awards, totaling $550,000, will enable the ECC to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to tackle health inequities and improve healthcare service delivery in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Athletics leader and alumna Donna Andrews has made basketball history. Last week, Andrews was one of two Virgin Islanders inducted into the Paradise Jam Hall of Fame for her significant contributions to the success of the college basketball tournament, now celebrating its twenty-fifth year in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Eleven talented undergraduate students from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) showcased their research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS), held Nov. 13-16, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The prestigious event brings together students, faculty, and professionals from diverse backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) have joined forces to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at building lasting partnerships through the Pathways to Public Service Program (PTPS).

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has launched a new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program in Renewable Energy Technology (RET) and is inviting those interested in the growing field of renewable energy to attend a virtual information session. The session, which will take place on Nov. 21, 2024, from noon to 1 pm AST via Zoom, will provide details about the AAS RET courses, admission, enrollment, and careers related to renewable energy and energy management.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has announced that Dr. Suzette Lettsome, an assistant professor in UVI’s School of Nursing and an advocate for community health, has been appointed the new President of the Virgin Islands State Nurses Association (VISNA), an affiliate of the American Nurses Association. This prestigious appointment reflects her commitment to advancing the nursing profession and supporting the health and wellbeing of the Virgin Islands community.

The Caribbean Writer, nestled within the University of the Virgin Islands College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, is pleased to announce the Prize Winners for its Volume 38 edition.  Winners in the various categories are as follows:

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Fall 2024 launch of its Essential Needs Pantry and listen in on Power Panel Discussions on Nov. 13, and 14, on the University’s campuses on St. Thomas and St. Croix, respectively.

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) students, faculty and staff joined students from the U.S. Territories of Guam and Puerto Rico at the National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference in Phoenix, Arizona held Oct. 31 – Nov 2. Hosted by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), the event is the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity conference in the U.S.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) mourns the passing of Kareem L. Pinney, 17, who was tragically killed on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in the early morning hours. Pinney was a freshman residing on campus enrolled in classes that would have led to a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Mathematics from the College of Science and Mathematics. 

As part of the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) celebration of Homecoming 2024, the Reichhold Center of the Arts (RCA) and UVI President, Dr. Safiya George, invite the public to “Sessions on the Floor,” a free musical concert on Saturday, Nov. 2. The concert is one of the final events in a weeklong schedule of activities planned on both campuses to engage alumni, students, faculty, staff and the VI community with the University.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is seeking applicants and internship partners for the new Professional Science Master (PSM) degree approved by the UVI Board of Trustees in Spring of 2024 as part of UVI’s Marine and Environmental Science program (MMES).

The Virgin Islands Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR) is thrilled to announce its upcoming annual conference, "Creating an Impactful Virgin Islands Research Ecosystem." The event will take place on Nov. 7-8, 2024, and will bring together researchers, students, and community members to share the significant lessons, discoveries, and research conducted during the final year of the U.S. National Science Foundation (US –NSF) grant Ridge to Reef: Processes and Interdependent Drivers of Small Island Resilience (R2R).

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is pleased to announce that it has received a $30,000 gift from Thriving Charities Advocates (TCA), a professional fundraising organization and Economic Development Commission beneficiary on St. Thomas. The gift will be used to support the University’s music program, specifically to enhance the recording capabilities of UVI’s recording studio.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) in partnership with 13D Research & Strategy recently launched a unique opportunity for students and members of the Virgin Islands community to receive financial support for starting or growing their businesses. By providing direct financial assistance, the 13D Milestone Funding Initiative will empower selected applicants to achieve key milestones in their entrepreneurial journey. 

In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the University’s 2025 fundraising goal of $5 million, an alumni giving rate of 10 percent, and a Board of Trustees and President’s Cabinet giving rate of 100 percent.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) was pleased to accept a $130,000 gift from Ocean Point Terminals (the “Company” or “Ocean Point”), to support the University’s Process Technology Program at a check presentation event on Wednesday at the Research and Technology Park on the University’s Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is thrilled to invite all alumni and friends to join in the festivities of Homecoming 2024. This exciting event will take place from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3, offering a week-long celebration filled with music, sports, parties, and more.

The Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) invites the community to participate in its new Community Hazard Tracking Data Collection Initiative designed to gather information needed to help guide policymakers navigate the needs of the community due to climate change.

The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet in regular session for their quarterly meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, in the Great Hall on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) President, Dr. Safiya George, announced promotions within her cabinet recognizing the exemplary work of two accomplished leaders, Dr. Rick Nader and Una Dyer. Dr. Nader who has served as Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies at UVI for the past two years has been promoted to Vice President of Research and Economic Development. Dyer, who served as Director of Presidential Operations and Executive Director of the Foundation for the University of the Virgin Islands, has been with the University and in the Office of the President for 13 years, has been promoted to Vice President of Strategic Affairs.

The University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Eastern Caribbean Center (ECC) asks the community’s help to complete the Virgin Islands Community Survey (VICS) in the St. Thomas-St. John District before the Nov. 12, deadline. The survey has already been completed on St. Croix.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men's cross-country team competed in its second meet of the season, placing 13th in the eight-kilometer race at the Ave Maria Invitational in Ave Maria Florida.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has announced the appointment of Dr. Leah Vanterpool as the new Vice President of Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective October 28, 2024. Dr. Vanterpool, a distinguished business and financial professional with over 30 years of experience, will lead the University’s financial operations and strategic planning, ensuring sustainable growth and fiscal responsibility.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) announces the appointment of Dr. Lisa Lewis as the new dean of the School of Nursing. Dr. Lewis, a distinguished leader in nursing education and a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, stepped into her role on Aug. 1, 2024.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Athletics Department is pleased to announce the hiring of Anna Orfanidis as the new athletic trainer. Orfanidis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Buccaneer athletic programs.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has announced the appointment of Michael J. Morsberger as its new Vice President for Institutional Advancement, effective Oct. 1, 2024. With a distinguished career in healthcare and higher education at several of the nation’s premier academic health systems and nonprofits, Morsberger is set to lead UVI’s advancement initiatives, encompassing alumni relations, development, public relations, and the Reichhold Center for the Arts.

Former University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Lady Buccaneer basketball Player Brea Patterson has been hired as a graduate assistant for the UVI women's basketball program. Patterson brings her experience and expertise to the coaching staff after playing for the team during the 2023-2024 season. Her dedication and passion for the sport make her a valuable addition to the program

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is reimagining its future, and the public is invited to participate in the process. Members of the community are encouraged to attend one of three agile strategic planning sessions scheduled on Tuesday, Oct. 1, in the LaVerne Ragster Administration and Conference Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas; Wednesday, Oct. 9, in the Great Hall on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix; and Thursday, Oct. 10 on St. John at a location to be announced shortly. All sessions begin at 6 p.m.

In a letter addressed to faculty, staff, and students, University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) President Dr. Safiya George announced important leadership updates in the Academic Affairs division effective next month.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has launched the BuccaneersQuest Competition, an opportunity for UVI students across all disciplines to showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills, and innovative ideas. Sponsored by 13D Research & Strategy, this university-wide competition invites students to tackle real-world problems and propose groundbreaking solutions, with cash prizes ranging from $500 to $1,000 for the top ideas.

LaMonee Morris, University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) ambassador, will proudly represent the University as Miss UVI 2024-2025 at the highly anticipated 39th Annual National Black College Queens Competition. This prestigious event will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the Alumni Hall of Fame weekend from Sept. 22 to 29.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men's cross-country team kicked off the 2024 season, taking on a field of over 140 runners in the eight-kilometer race at the Embry-Riddle Cross Country Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women's cross-country team competed in its first meet of the 2024 season, running in the five-kilometer Embry-Riddle Cross Country Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men's cross-country team is set to open its 2024 season on Saturday, September 21, at the Embry-Riddle Cross Country Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida.

One long-term and four short-term fellowships are available for the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Securing STEM Island Pathways (SSIP) Program, which offers new job opportunities and graduate study options for qualified graduates from UVI. SSIP, specifically designed to address the uncertain employment prospects faced by Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degree recipients in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is made possible thanks to a $1 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded in 2022 and implemented by UVI in 2023.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is proud to announce that Kyra Edwards has been selected by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) as an HBCU Scholar for 2024.

On Sunday, Oct. 20, World Food Day will be observed from noon to 6 p.m. on the grounds of the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. 

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is pleased to announce the establishment of the Rehena E. Brathwaite Industrious Endowment Scholarship Fund, thanks to the generous support of Bridget J. Industrious-Dorsey and the Dorsey Family.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women's cross-country team is set to open its 2024 season on Saturday, September 21, at the Embry-Riddle Cross Country Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The Caribbean Writer (TCW) journal, embedded in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of the Virgin Islands, has issued its call for submissions for Volume 39 under the 2024 theme: “Beyond Tradition: Inside of Courage.”

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) was named a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character® Five-Star Institution Award winner for the 2023-24 academic year.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will reopen on Thursday, Aug. 15, following the passing of Hurricane Ernesto. UVI employees are expected to return to work at their regularly scheduled times. However, employees are asked to coordinate with their supervisors if they anticipate challenges.

In preparation for the approach of Tropical Storm Ernesto, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will close both of its campuses today at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 13. Tropical Storm Ernesto is projected to pass near or over the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this evening.

Due to heavy rains expected this week, organizers at the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Reichhold Center for the Arts (RCA) have decided to move the location of the Blue Horizon UB40 Concert from the outdoor golf course on the Orville E. Kean campus to the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The concert will still take place as scheduled on Sunday, August 18, at 6 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Student Convocation and Move-In Day on the University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

New and transfer students enrolled at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) are set to receive a warm welcome as faculty and staff on both campuses prepare for the start of the 2024 Fall Semester with events taking place both on and off-campus.

Virgin Islander Kevin Sheppard has been appointed interim head coach of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneers men’s basketball program. With over 20 years of coaching, playing, and training experience, the former professional basketball player brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the university.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is pleased to announce a generous gift of $10,000 from ClasseDesignUSA, LLC. ClasseDesignUSA, LLC, is a veteran-owned small business located in the greater Houston area.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) celebrated a significant milestone, awarding certificates to 41 graduates of its nationally accredited Certified Public Manager™ (CPM) program.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) celebrated a pivotal moment in its history with the ribbon cutting of its state-of-the-art School of Medicine Classroom Building and Biomedical Laboratory which comprise its Medical Research and Training Center in St. Thomas. The event which took place yesterday afternoon at the Orville E. Kean Campus signaled a transformative advancement in UVI’s vision to establish an accredited medical school in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the School of Medicine Classroom and Biomedical Laboratory Medical Research and Training Center at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

Youth Moviemaking Workshop students capture video of Cultural Bearer and Storyteller Glenn Kwabena Davis at Fort Christian.

University of the Virgin Islands first-year director of athletics Dr. Karen Carty was named the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) Athletics Director of the Year as announced by GCAC Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes at the league’s year-end business meeting, which was held at Philander Smith University in Little Rock, Ark. on June 17-19.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Island’s Outdoor Fitness Station ribbon cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2024, behind the Research and Extension Center building on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. 

The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, in the Medical Research and Training Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas. The meeting will begin with regular session agenda items and will continue with the election of officers. A slate of candidates for the positions of chair and vice chair has been developed and will be presented to the Board for their deliberation and action.

The University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Reichhold Center for the Arts (RCA) presents the 2nd Annual Blue Horizon Concert on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, featuring four-time Grammy-nominated reggae band UB40. The outdoor concert will take place on the Herman E. Moore Golf Course on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas at 6 p.m.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is excited to announce that part-time and online students are now eligible for the Free Tuition Scholarship program thanks to new legislation that expands eligibility criteria to include more Virgin Islands residents seeking their first undergraduate degree. In addition, new UVI policies have been implemented to help students maximize financial aid through the Free Tuition Scholarship program and other supplemental sources including federal, private and local awards.

UVI Caribbean Green Technology Center Safety in Paradise is very excited to invite you to participate in free safety trainings for Heat & Cold Stress Prevention to be held on the UVI St. Croix campus on July 9th and St. Thomas campus on July 11th.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Department of Athletics announces the launch of its UVI Athletics Spirit Store today. The online store will allow students, faculty, alumni, and fans to purchase Adidas-branded UVI apparel supporting the Athletics Department. The store will offer both men’s and women's cut apparel in the University’s blue, black, white, and grey colorways.

The University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station celebrated the relaunch of its Aquaponics and Small Ruminant Livestock Facilities with ribbon cutting ceremonies held last week on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

With summer just around the corner, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is offering a variety of educational programs to keep students of all ages actively learning and expanding their skills throughout the summer. From youth summer camps to college prep courses, STEM programs, online and on-campus classes, there are many ways for students to get ahead this summer at UVI.  

The Eastern Caribbean Center of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has completed the mapping of the U.S. Virgin Islands and will begin the 2024 Virgin Islands Community Survey (VICS) interviews this month. This scientific survey of a sample of households is a follow-up to the one conducted in 2018. The information collected is like that gathered in the Population and Housing Census of 2020.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for two School of Agriculture research facilities – the Agricultural Experiment Station Livestock Facility and Aquaponics Facility at 10 a.m. on May 29, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. The first ribbon cutting event will take place at the Aquaponics Facility and then participants will move to the Livestock Facility.

The University of the Virgin Islands conveys condolences to the friends, family, and loved ones on the death of Pamela Richards, who passed away on Friday, May 24.

The University Virgin Islands Medical Simulation Center (UVI MSC), in partnership with the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) and the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), is conducting a Mass Casualty Exercise at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will confer 264 degrees to graduates at its Commencement Ceremonies this week.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is thrilled to announce the launch of its Job Readiness Summer Program, aimed at empowering graduating high school seniors with essential skills for entering the workforce. Developed and administered by UVI's University Bound program, in collaboration with Cruzan Rum Distillery and the V.I. Department of Labor, this initiative represents a significant step towards preparing the next generation of professionals in the St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John Districts.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands’ Nursing Pinning Ceremony on Monday, May 6, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix in the Great Hall at 4 p.m. and on Tuesday, May 7, in the LaVerne E. Ragster Administration and Conference Center at 5 p.m. on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL) along with the Virgin Islands Department of Health, the Department of Human Services and Digital Lending Innovation are proud to announce the upcoming Women's Health Forum, dedicated to empowering and educating women aged 40 and older about their health and well-being.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s and women’s track and field teams closed out their 2024 season at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) Track and Field Championships at the Lee Hedges Stadium track in Shreveport, Louisiana. The two-day event that was hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission on April 19 and 20 ended with UVI placing seventh overall in the final GCAC conference standings.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Dean’s List Reception and Award Ceremony on Sunday, April 21, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. It will be held in the Great Hall. The reception will start at 2 p.m. and the program portion begins at 3 p.m.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneer men’s and women's track and field teams will compete for the final time this season in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) track and field championships on April 19 and 20 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The last time the Buccaneers competed was March 22 and 23 at the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) “Knight Invite” in Orlando, Florida.

Cooks, volunteers, supporters, and fun seekers partied with a purpose at the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Afternoon on the Green fundraiser last month to raise money for college scholarships. Two St. Thomas high school students were awarded scholarships to attend UVI and more than a dozen cooks were recognized for their popular food entries.

The University of the Virgin Islands will bestow honorary degrees on Theron Thomas and Timothy Thomas, recording industry celebrities known professionally as “Rock City,” and Virgin Islands Election System Supervisor Caroline Fawkes, an aviation trailblazer, at UVI’s 60th Commencement Ceremonies on May 9, and 10, at its St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses, respectively.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Culinary Arts Program Closing Graduation Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, in the University’s 13D Research and Strategy Innovation Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is honored to announce that Keisha Lance Bottoms, former mayor of Atlanta, who previously served as senior advisor and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, will serve as the keynote speaker at UVI’s 60th Commencement Ceremonies. The event will take place on May 9, on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas and on May 10, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. Both ceremonies will commence at 1 p.m.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Dean’s List Reception and Award Ceremony on Sunday, April 14, in the Eldridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas. The reception start time is 2 p.m. and the program portion begins at 3 p.m. Students are being recognized for Fall and Spring 2023.

After a fun filled evening of pageantry and performances, LaMonee Morris, a University of the Virgin Islands psychology major, was crowned Miss UVI 2024 on Saturday, April 6, in the Cafetorium on the University’s Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

In celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Brown versus Board of Education, the landmark U.S. Superior Court decision that made racial segregation illegal in public schools, the University of the Virgin Islands' College of Liberal Arts and Social Science (UVI CLASS,) will host a Fireside Chat to discuss this ruling on Wednesday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Evans Center Suite 401 (EVC401- Little Theatre) on UVI’s Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph a special convocation with United States Senator Raphael Warnock on Wednesday, April 3, at 1 p.m. in the Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is pleased to announce that United States Senator Raphael Warnock will be the guest speaker at a special convocation on Wednesday, April 3, at 1 p.m. in the Elridge Wilburn Blake Sports and Fitness Center on UVI's Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas. The convocation will be livestreamed on UVI's Facebook page @UVI.edu and YouTube page @UVIvideos, allowing a wider audience to participate in this special event.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s and women’s track and field teams opened up their 2024 season this past weekend at the University of Central Florida’s “Knight Invite”. They competed in the two-day event among NCAA Division I and II institutions including nationally recognized powerhouse universities such as Clemson, Rutgers, Yale, and Penn State.

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) graduate assistant for athletics administration Taylor Nunley has been selected for the third annual National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Governing and Leadership Academy (GLA) which will be held on April 4, 2024, at Park University in Missouri.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneer men’s and women's track and field teams head into the 2024 season with a clean slate as they will make their initial appearance in the NAIA’s Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Both teams will return to competition after being inactive for the last three years.

The Queen's Committee of the University of the Virgin Islands’ Student Government Association is proud to present the 44th Annual Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition on Saturday, April 6, at 6 p.m. in the Cafetorium on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. This year, two students will vie for the title of Miss UVI 2024.

The University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Herman E. Moore Golf Course on St. Thomas is being transformed into a community fairground this week, setting the stage for the 32nd annual Afternoon on the Green “friendraising” event on Sunday, March 17, from noon to 5 p.m.

In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on Saturday, March 9, 2024, in the Medical Simulation Center on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve two new academic degree programs – a Professional Science Master’s Degree in Marine and Environmental Science and an Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will host a month-long celebration in honor of its 62nd Charter Day anniversary. Charter Day commemorates the University's founding and recognizes its remarkable achievements over the years. This year’s celebrations will include annual events such as Afternoon on the Green and the 13D Innovation Center’s Business Leadership Lecture, as well as alumni socials, musical celebrations, athletic events, and lively activities for students.

Volunteers from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) conducted cleanups last month that removed 1,602 pounds of trash from the environment.

The Caribbean Writer (TCW) in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) together with the Virgin Islands Literary Festival and Book Fair, LLC (VI Lit Fest) will host the 10th iteration of the VI Lit Fest, April 11 through 14, under the community-focused theme: “Legacies: Reckoning and Resilience.” This year’s event will share its theme with Volume 38 of TCW, currently being prepped for publication.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the 2nd Annual Business Leadership Lecture featuring the renowned Singularity Expert, David Roberts. The event will take place at the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) 13D Research and Strategy Innovation Center located on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) graduate forward Maurice Smith, Jr. earned All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Second-Team honors. The announcement was made during the GCAC 2024 Hope Credit Union Men’s and Women's Championship at Birthright Alumni Hall on the campus of Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, in the Medical Simulation Center on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. The meeting will begin with regular session agenda items.

Verto Education, a pioneering institution in global education, and the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), a prominent Historically Black College and University (HBCU), are thrilled to announce their partnership which aims to provide students with a seamless and guaranteed direct transfer pathway, furthering Verto's commitment to making global education accessible, transformative, and affordable.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Lady Buccaneer basketball team closed out its 2023-2024 season with a 95-47 loss to the Lady Bulldogs of Tougaloo College in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) 2024 Hope Credit Union Men’s and Women's Basketball Championship at Birthright Alumni Hall in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Wednesday night.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneer men’s basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 66-61 loss to the Bleu Devils of Dillard University in the opening round of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) 2024 Hope Credit Union Men’s and Women's Basketball Championship at Birthright Alumni Hall in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Wednesday night.

The University of The Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneer men’s basketball team will make its return to the court at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) 2024 Hope Credit Union Men's and Women's Basketball Championship at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The University of The Virgin Islands (UVI) Lady Buccaneers basketball team will make its return to the court at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) 2024 Hope Credit Union Men's and Women's Basketball Championship at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The event is an annual single-elimination tournament to crown the conference champion.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is pleased to invite the public to the 2nd Annual 13D Business Leadership Lecture, featuring renowned singularity expert, David Roberts. The event will take place on Monday, March 11, at 6 p.m. at UVI’s 13D Research and Strategy Innovation Center.

The University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) annual fundraising event, Afternoon on the Green, is back at the Herman E. Moore Golf Course on St. Thomas and inviting the island’s talented cooks to donate their best dishes for a great cause. The event, which benefits the Edward Thomas Volunteer Scholarship Fund, takes place on Sunday, March 17, 2024, from noon to 5 p.m. with the theme “A Fusion of Flavors to Savor and Explore at Afternoon on the Green 2024”.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is pleased to announce that Dr. Dietra Trent, executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), will be the keynote speaker at the 62nd Charter Day program, an annual event that celebrates the University's founding and recognizes its achievements.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team extended its win streak in a 66-63 upset of top-ranked Tougaloo College at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center Saturday night.

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Freshman guard Ashukamayah Phillips earned the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Week title. This award is only available to freshmen and transfer students who are new to the conference. Phillips was selected out of a pool of nominees as the winner of this award by the conference voting committee on Monday afternoon.

A new career-high 31 points by freshman guard Ashukamayah Phillips propelled the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball team to a dominant 77-57 win over the Lady Bulldogs of Tougaloo College to close out the regular season at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center Saturday afternoon.

Thanks to a new initiative introduced by the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) in January, students facing food insecurity, financial hardship and other challenges will receive the support they need through the Essential Needs Pantry.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball team fell 73-48 to Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) foe Rust College on Alumni Night on Thursday at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The Lady Buccaneers drop to 2-17 on the season and 2-13 in GCAC play.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneers men’s basketball team has now won three games in a row after defeating the Bearcats of Rust College in a 63-61 nail bitter at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on Alumni night Thursday evening.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball team fell 73-58 to the Lady Ambassadors of Oakwood University in the final road game of the regular season on Saturday night at the Ashby Auditorium in Huntsville, Alabama. The loss brings the team to 1-17 on the season and 1-13 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team escaped with a 64-60 road victory in their second matchup of the season with Oakwood University at the Ashby Auditorium in Huntsville Alabama on Saturday night. The Buccaneers have now won two of their last three games.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees voted to appoint Dr. Safiya George to serve as the University’s sixth president at a meeting held Wednesday afternoon following an extensive presidential selection process. Dr. George will succeed current president, Dr. David Hall, whose contract will expire on July 31, after serving the University with distinction since 2009. Dr. George will assume her role as UVI’s new president in August 2024.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Lady Buccaneer basketball team opened its three-game road trip with a loss to conference foe, Fisk University, on Thursday night, 80-40, at the Henderson A. Johnson Gymnasium in Nashville.

Despite a hot start, The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team fell to the Bulldogs of Fisk University 68-56 after running out of steam in the second half of Thursday night’s Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) matchup at the Henderson A. Johnson Gymnasium in Nashville.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Lady Buccaneer basketball team dropped the final game of their four-game homestand in a 64-42 loss to the Lady Panthers of Philander Smith University (PSU) on Saturday afternoon at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneers men’s basketball team upset Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) foe Philander Smith University (PSU) 74-71 at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on Saturday night. The win gave UVI its fourth win on the season and second in GCAC play.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Men’s basketball team surrendered the lead late to the Wildcats of Wiley University in a 62-57 loss Thursday night at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center.

The Caribbean Writer (TCW), the international, refereed literary journal published by the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences each year, is pleased to announce its prize winners for Volume 37 published in December 2023 under the theme: “Carrying: Recognition and Repair.”

Graduate guard Brea Patterson’s 21 points lifted the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball team to its first victory in a 54-47 win over the Lady Wildcats of Wiley University on Thursday evening at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. Patterson’s 21 points led all scorers. UVI (1-13, 1-9) got off to a slow start and fell 12-2 after the opening tip. Despite the slow start, the Lady Bucs were prepared for the challenge as they would score 10 unanswered points to even things up. The Lady Wildcats pulled slightly ahead of the Lady Bucs, but UVI would battle its way back into the game knotting things up at 18 all.

The public is invited to attend the 52nd Annual Agriculture and Food Fair of the U.S. Virgin Islands from Feb. 17-19 at the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agricultural Complex, Estate Lower Love on St. Croix. The theme is “AGRICULTURE: Our future and so much more in 2024.” The entrance fee is $6 for adults, $4 for children, and $5 for senior citizens. The fair will open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., with opening ceremonies scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team dropped the first game of their four-game homestand to Bleu Devils of Dillard University 67-59 on Thursday evening at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. In celebration of Cultural Night, fans in attendance were treated to the sights and sounds of the Rising Stars Steel Orchestra, the St. Thomas Majorettes, and the UVI Cultural Titans.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 84-83 defeat to Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) on a made free throw attempt as time expired during First Responders Appreciation Day at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on Saturday. The team falls to 3-12 on the season and 1-8 in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play.

Freshman guard Ashukamayah Phillips records her first career double-double in a 62-53 loss as the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball team surrendered the lead late to Southern University at New Orleans on Saturday afternoon at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. Phillips finished the game with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Lady Buccaneer basketball team fell short in a 63-50 loss to the Lady Bleu Devils of Dillard University at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on Thursday night. In celebration of Cultural Night, fans in attendance were treated to the sights and sounds of the Rising Stars Steel Orchestra, the St. Thomas Majorettes and the UVI Cultural Titans.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Department of Athletics announces its 2024 promotional basketball schedule. Unique honors, performances, and entertainment will be provided for every home game at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center to close out the 2024 season.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) joins the Virgin Islands community in mourning the passing of former UVI Board Trustee and retired Superior Court Judge Audrey Thomas.

Brea Patterson recorded a season-high 23 points to lead the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Lady Buccaneer basketball team against Tougaloo College, but it was not enough as UVI fell 76-48 at the Kroger Gymnasium in Mississippi on Saturday afternoon.

Maurice Smith, Jr. scored a season-high 27 points, but it was not enough as the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneers men’s basketball team fell 76-71 Rust College at the Kinzell Lawson Gym in Holly Springs, Mississippi on Thursday night. UVI falls to 3-9 on the season and 1-5 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC).

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Lady Buccaneer basketball team struggled offensively Thursday night in an 89-28 loss to the Lady Bearcats of Rust College at the Kinzell Lawson Gymnasium in Holly Springs, Mississippi. UVI falls to 0-10 on the season and 0-6 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) play.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team dropped the final game of their three-game road trip to Tougaloo College, 80-51, at the Kroger gymnasium in Tougaloo, Mississippi on Saturday evening. UVI falls to 3-10 on the season and 1-6 in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) play.

The University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL), with Youth Empowerment Services, the Virgin Islands Police Department, Law Enforcement Planning Commission, Department of Human Services, Digital Lending Innovation and VIYA is proud to announce the upcoming EmpowerU Youth Summit 2024, taking place on Feb. 10, 2024, on St. Croix at the UVI Great Hall, on Feb. 24, 2024, on St. Thomas at the UVI Innovation Center and on March 9, 2024 on St. John at the Julius Sprauve School.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Lady Buccaneer basketball team fell to the Lady Panthers of Philander Smith University on Tuesday night, 92-34, at the Dr. Crawford J. Mims Gymnasium in Little Rock, Arkansas. UVI falls to 0-9 on the season and 0-5 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team dropped the first game of their road trip 78-55 to Philander Smith University (PSU) at the Dr. Crawford J. Mims Gymnasium in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The University of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC) invite the public to the opening of the Virgin Islands Agriculture Business Center (VI AgBC) St. Thomas location on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the University of the Virgin Islands Orville E. Kean Campus at the UVI 13D Research and Strategy Innovation Center on St. Thomas.

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) graduate guard Maurice Smith, Jr. scored a season-high 24 points to lead his team in a 91-82 loss to Fisk University on Friday night at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball dropped its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference home opener to visiting Fisk University 86-50 on Friday evening at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball fell 61-37 in the final game of their first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) homestand to Oakwood University on Saturday Night at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The loss dropped the Lady Buccaneers to 0-8 on the season and 0-4 in GCAC play.

Junior guard Jalil Langston scored 20 points on Saturday night to lift the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) to a 76-68 victory over Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) for Oakwood University at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center.

Orientation activities for new and transfer students at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) are scheduled this week to introduce students to campus life and the many resources available on both campuses. On the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, orientation activities will be conducted virtually on Wednesday, Jan. 3, starting at 11 a.m., while activities on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas will take place on Thursday, Jan. 4, in the School of Business Building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team fell 92-90 to Clinton College in a double overtime thriller at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center Saturday morning in the YES USVI HBCU Classic.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team suffered their first loss at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center Friday afternoon to the Virginia State University (VSU) Trojans 77-69. This brings UVI to a 2-5 overall record on the season.

Junior guard Jordan Carter secured the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) first regular-season Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) honor as she captured the GCAC Newcomer of the week award.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team returns home to compete in 2023 “YES U.S. Virgin Islands HBCU Classic” at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center from December 15-17.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball team dropped the final game of their road trip on Monday, falling 75-75 at Dillard University at Albert W. Dent Hall. The Lady Buccaneers fall to 0-2 in conference play.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team fell 63-55 to Dillard University on Monday night at Albert W. Dent Hall as a late lead slipped away from the Buccaneers. The loss drops UVI to 0-2 in conference play on the season.

The University of Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL) has received a $35,000 gift from Digital Lending Innovation (DLI), an Economic Development Commission beneficiary company based in St. Thomas, that will help enhance women's healthcare initiatives across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is pleased to announce that it has received a $30,000 gift from Thriving Charity Advocates (TCA), a professional fundraising organization and Economic Development Commission beneficiary on St. Thomas. The gift will be used to support the University’s music program, specifically to enhance the recording capabilities of UVI’s recording studio.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball team fell 65-61 to Southern University-New Orleans (SUNO) on Saturday afternoon as time expired during their hard-fought battle in The Castle at SUNO.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team fell 65-63 to Southern University-New Orleans (SUNO) on Saturday in a thriller that went down to the final buzzer in The Castle at SUNO.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team heads to Louisiana to open Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) play against Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) and Dillard University in back-to-back contests on December 9 and 11, respectively.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball team heads to Louisiana to open Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) play against Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) and Dillard University in back-to-back contests on December 9 and 11, respectively. This is UVI’s inaugural year in the GCAC and its first conference matchups of the year.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) announces it has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) award for a collaborative project entitled, Navigating Home. Navigating Home expands the Workforce Fellows component of the current NSF SEAS Islands Alliance and NSF Securing STEM Islands Pathways awards and brings $5.3M in resources to UVI.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball team fell short 76-67 in rematch with Champion Christian College despite a strong comeback attempt Friday night at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness center. The loss brings the team to 0-4 on the season.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team cruised to an 86-67 victory in their second matchup with Champion Christian College at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center Friday night. The Buccaneers are now even at 2-2 on the season and are on a two-game winning streak.

Freshman guard Ashukamayah Phiilips scored a career-high 23 points for the UVI Lady Buccaneers on Wednesday in an 81-59 loss to Champion Christian College in the first game of their two-game homestand at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The team falls to 0-3 to begin the season after the loss.

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) junior guard Jalen Monroe drilled a jumper at the buzzer in the overtime to seal an 85-82 victory over Champion Christian College on Wednesday evening at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center.

The Caribbean Writer (TCW), the international, refereed literary journal published by the University of the Virgin Islands each year, is pleased to announce the release of Volume 37 under the theme: “Carrying: Recognition and Repair”. Volume 37 boasts insightful and exciting poetry, short stories, personal essays, interviews and book reviews by established, as well as emerging, writers from within the Caribbean and its diaspora.

Twenty-two University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, staff and faculty, traveled to Portland, OR to attend the 27th Biennial Conference of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF), Nov. 12-16. Their participation was funded by four National Science Foundation (NSF) grants awarded to UVI to support individuals from the territory in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The Caribbean Writer (TCW) has reissued its call for submissions for Volume 38 under the 2024 theme: “Legacies: Reckoning and Resolve.” We inherit the legacies of those who marched before us, if not directly, some other ways and so reckoning has become a way of life. Some suggest that what will save us is our resolve.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and the Virgin Islands Small Business Center (VI SBDC) launch of the Virgin Islands Agriculture Business Center (VIAgBC) on Thursday, Dec.7, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.in the Great Hall on the University of the Virgin Islands’ Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s and women’s basketball teams return to action on November 29 and December 1 as they host Champion Christian College at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center in a pair of doubleheaders beginning at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC) invite the public to the launch of the Virgin Islands Agriculture Business Center (VI AgBC) on Thursday, Dec. 7, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall on the University’s Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

Graduate forward Maurice Smith, Jr. posted a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds, both game highs, to lead the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneers men’s basketball to an 82-68 exhibition game win over the VI Elite Pros on Saturday night at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneers men’s basketball team fell to the Lions of Florida Memorial University (FMU) on Thursday night, 78-52, at the Florida Memorial Wellness Center in Miami Gardens. After dropping the final game of their road trip, the team falls to 0-2 on the season.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball team ended their season-opening road trip with a 78-61 loss in their second matchup with Florida Memorial University (FMU) at the FMU Wellness Center in Miami Gardens, Florida on Thursday night.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) hosted representatives from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing publicly funded Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other predominantly black institutions.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team fell 67-49 to nationally-ranked St. Thomas University on Wednesday night at the Fernandez Family Center in Miami Gardens, Florida. This was the first matchup of a two-game road trip in South Florida for the Buccaneers.

Early in the morning of Oct. 17, a 4.85m (15.9 ft) long Cuvier’s Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris) was seen “thrashing” about in the water in Fish Bay, St. John. Construction workers who were near the site saw it swim out of the bay, but shortly afterward observed it drifting back. The construction team notified a UVI Masters in Marine and Environmental Science student, Lila Uzzell.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) School of Nursing (SON) will soon have a brand-new, state-of-the-art learning facility. At the official groundbreaking ceremony held yesterday on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, UVI officials, government dignitaries, students, and guests gathered to celebrate the construction of the 11,800 square foot building that will serve as the learning center for nursing students and house the University’s Health Services Department.

Junior guard Jalil Langston led the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men’s basketball team to an 88-82 exhibition game win over the V.I. Elite Pros 88-82 at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on Friday night. Langston exploded for 19 of his 21 points in the second half to help guide his team to the win.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph a conversation with Thurgood Marshall College Fund President Dr. Harry Lee Williams at 10 a.m. on Nov. 13, in the Medical Simulation Center on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Official Groundbreaking Ceremony of the School of Nursing on Monday, Nov. 13, at 1 p.m. on the Grounds of the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

The University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service will conduct a workshop on Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on the Farm on Monday, Dec. 4. The workshop will be held at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix in the Research and Extension Center Room 133 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Buccaneers head into the 2023-24 season with a clean slate as both teams will make their initial appearance in the NAIA’s Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC). The sky is the limit for the teams as they both were predicted to finish 10th in the conference’s preseason polls.

The University of the Virgin Islands Association of Black Journalists (UVIABJ) is proud to announce the third Annual Journalism Summit, centered around the theme "Media Matters: Navigating a Changing Landscape." This year's summit promises to be an inspiring experience for all, providing a platform for engaging discussions and invaluable networking opportunities.

To help preserve the history of the institution that shaped his life both personally and professionally, retired University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) associate professor and alumnus, Dr. Ronald Harrigan, has donated his extensive collection of UVI memorabilia to the UVI Library.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) 2nd Annual Energy and Sustainability Fair and Press Conference on Oct. 28, 2023, in the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) basketball teams will host Buccaneer Madness on November 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Elridge Wilburn Blake Sports and Fitness Center. Doors open at 7 p.m.

In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, via Zoom, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget of $51.1 million, the University’s 2024 Fundraising Goal of $4.5 million and an Alumni Giving Rate of 20 percent.

The University of the Virgin Islands continues to monitor Hurricane Tammy. According to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. advisory, Hurricane Tammy has maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour and is moving toward the west-northwest near 7 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue through this afternoon. A turn toward the northwest is anticipated by Friday evening, followed by a north-northwestward and northward turn Saturday night through Sunday night.

The University of the Virgin Islands would like to congratulate winners of the 2023 Fall Research Symposium hosted by the Emerging Caribbean Scientist Program and the College of Science and Mathematics.

The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, via Zoom.

University Bound partners with Alpine Securities to offer free SAT Prep Courses for Virgin Islands high school juniors and seniors beginning Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.

As all of you are aware, on this past Saturday over a 1,300 women, men and children were killed in a senseless massacre in Israel. The more we learn about the atrocities that occurred the more outraged and saddened we should become.

A philanthropic gift from FirstBank will help the Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) in its mission to enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities in the territory.

The University of the Virgin Islands will remain open today, Wednesday, Oct. 4, and continues to monitor storm conditions associated with Tropical Storm Philippe. UVI students and employees are urged to be careful as they traverse to and from the campuses due to the heavy downpours.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) joins the Virgin Islands community in mourning the loss of former Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen, an incredibly formidable and influential political figure who made her mark as an 11-term senator in the district of St. Croix.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph a FirstBank of the Virgin Islands gift donation to a special program housed at the Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VUICEDD) on Friday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. in the University of the Virgin Islands’13D Research and Strategy Innovation Center, on the second floor on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is addressing false allegations printed in a recent Miami Herald article with a letter to its editor. The false allegations stem from court documents filed by JP Morgan Chase in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein litigation with the V.I. Government. The Miami Herald article was also reproduced by the Virgin Islands Daily News and by national news outlets including Yahoo News.

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Ambassador, Eunisha Lawrence, will represent the University in her role as Miss UVI 2023-2024 at the 38th Annual National Black College Queens Competition in Atlanta, Ga. as part of the Alumni Hall of Fame weekend from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1.

On Sunday, Oct. 15, World Food Day will be observed from noon to 6 p.m. on the grounds of the University of the Virgin Islands’ Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.  The day will kick-off with a formal opening ceremony and continue with educational workshops, a food vendor’s court, a farmers' market, demonstrations, a petting zoo, entertainment, a “House of CANs” competition, and distribution of free vegetable seedlings. 

The Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and the VI Energy Office (VIEO) invite the public to the second Annual VI Energy and Sustainability Fair at the Orville E. Kean Campus’ Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas on Saturday, Oct. 28. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thanks to a recent donation of iMac computers from the AROC Foundation, students at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) have increased access to iMac computers, which are essential to programming apps for the iOS operating system and other Apple programs.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Athletics Department Meet and Greet on Sept. 22, in the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) University Bound (UB) Program is pleased to announce the launch of its free SAT Prep Program for junior and senior high school students attending public, private, and parochial schools on St. Croix.    

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands College of Science and Mathematics 24th Annual Fall Student Science Research Symposium, “A STEM Show and Tell.” It will take place this Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. in the UVI 13D Research and Strategy Innovation Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has announced the establishment of a new partnership between its School of Agriculture and the family of former U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Agriculture Oscar E. Henry.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is excited to welcome Dr. Colvin T. Georges, Jr., a native of St. Thomas, as the new Dean of Students for the Albert A. Sheen campus, starting Sept.1, 2023.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has announced the appointment of Dale Louis Gaubatz as Vice Provost for Enrollment Management.

The VI Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has on-boarded its new leadership on August 1st with a familiar face of the territory, Mr. John M. Morosco.

Dale Joseph has been named the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field coach at the University of the Virgin Islands. Joseph previously led the cross country and track and field program at UVI from 2007-2020, developing both teams to the highest level of competitiveness.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Student Convocation and Move-In Day on the University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

Aspiring cooks seeking to gain the skills needed to work in a food-service setting are encouraged to register for the Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC) program now available at the University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL) on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St Thomas.

New and transfer students enrolled at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) are set to receive a warm welcome next week as faculty and staff on both campuses prepare for the start of the 2023 Fall Semester with events taking place both on and off-campus.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has announced that its Master of Social Work (MSW) Program has been granted full accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board on Accreditation.

The Eastern Caribbean Center of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will conduct the 2023 Virgin Islands Community Survey (VICS) during the months of August and September 2023. This scientific survey of a sample of households is a follow-up to the one conducted in 2018. The information collected is similar to that gathered in the Population and Housing Census of 2020.

Ocean Point Terminals (the “Company” or “Ocean Point”), presented officials from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) with a check for $140,000 as part of the Company’s annual commitment to support training, education and workforce development programs.

The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) has announced the distinguished scholars selected for its 2023 cohort, which includes two individuals representing the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). Recent graduate Michael Bell and senior Jackeima Flemming are among those chosen to participate in the program, which boasts an HBCU participation rate of more than 70 percent.

Dr. Karen M. Carty has been named the Director of Athletics at the University of the Virgin Islands. Dr. Carty becomes the first female athletics director in UVI’s 61-year history.

A newly published study from scientists at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) examines how different coral species respond to a devastating disease and which species are more vulnerable. The project examines the effects of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), which first appeared in 2014 in the waters around Florida and began spreading to the Caribbean in 2018-19.

In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on June 24, via Zoom, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees unanimously approved four new degree programs – an Associate of Applied Science degree program in Renewable Energy Technology (RET), and Bachelor of Science degree programs in Agroecology, Agricultural Business, and Animal Science.

In a list published last week on Forbes.com, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) was ranked as one of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with online degree programs in the U.S. in 2023. The UVI online degree program was recognized among ten distinguished HBCUs for its low student-to-faculty ratio, relatively high student retention rate, and low average net price per year.

The University of Virgin Islands (UVI) Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL) Culinary Program held a closing ceremony on May 22, 2023, to recognize the accomplishments of its inaugural cohort of students.

With summer just around the corner, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is offering a variety of educational programs to keep students of all ages actively learning and expanding their skills throughout the summer. From youth summer camps to college prep courses, STEM programs, online and on-campus classes, there are many ways for students to get ahead this summer at UVI.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands’ Culinary Arts Fundamental Cooks Beginner Certification Program’s Closing Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 22, in the UVI 13D Research and Strategy Innovation Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will host Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John C. Williams on Tuesday, May 16, for a moderated discussion on the economic outlook and monetary policy with UVI President, Dr. David Hall. Members of the media are invited to attend in person or via livestream.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will confer 280 degrees to graduates at its Commencement Ceremonies being held this week. The ceremonies will take place on Thursday, May 11, 2023, under the tent on the Albert A. Sheen Campus in St. Croix, and on Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Elridge Wilburn Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas. Both ceremonies will begin at 1 p.m.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands’ Nurse Pinning Ceremony on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on Monday, May 8, at 5:30 p.m. in the Great Hall in the Great Hall on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and on Tuesday, May 9, from 4 p.m. in the LaVerne E. Ragster Administration and Conference Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

Forty high school students from public, private and parochial schools in the St. Thomas-St. John district recently completed an SAT Preparatory program to help them improve their SAT scores. The prep program was administered by the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) University Bound Program (formerly Upward Bound) and was generously funded by Alpine Securities.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands 59th Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 11, at 1 p.m. on the grounds of the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and on Friday, May 12, at 1 p.m. in the Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands announced that Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, renowned author, distinguished professor and political and cultural commentator, has been invited to be the keynote speaker at the UVI’s 59th Commencement Ceremonies on May 11 and 12, on St. Croix and St. Thomas, respectively.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) held the grand opening of its 13D Research and Strategy Innovation Center today on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is proud to announce that its Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL) has been awarded a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to offer drone and flight training.

Members of the media are invited to cover the grand opening of the University of the Virgin Islands’ 13D Research and Strategy Innovation Center on Monday, April 17, at 10 a.m. on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas. The building is located at the site of the former West Bay Supermarket.

The University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) is on a mission to reduce food waste in the U.S. Virgin Islands by evaluating the feasibility and methods for reducing organic materials in the waste stream.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is proud to announce that three of its students won awards at the 41st International Sea Turtle Symposium, which was held in Cartagena, Colombia from March 18-24, 2023.  

The USVI Idea Incubator, a new initiative of the UVI Research and Technology Park (RTPark) is currently accepting applications for its inaugural 15-week program. This new program will provide ambitious Virgin Islanders with big tech ideas and a step-by-step framework for launching and growing a technology company, free of charge.

As part of its 61st Charter Day program, held on March 24, 2023, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Virgin Islands 175th Emancipation Commemoration Committee to collaborate on a series of cultural events and activities during Black History Month and V.I. History Month to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL) is excited to announce its collaboration with the Virgin Islands Department of Education and the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services for the upcoming Level Up Conference. The event is aimed at engaging 11th and 12th grade students and providing them with the necessary tools to prepare for a successful transition from high school to full participation in their communities. 

Students from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) School of Nursing (SON) are receiving valuable clinical instruction at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital-Bradford in Massachusetts thanks to financial support from Greenleaf VI, Inc. A partnership between Greenleaf and the nursing school provides expanded learning opportunities and experiences for UVI nursing students. The cost of the trip, room and board is funded by Greenleaf, a member of the U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Chairman Emeritus, Alexander Moorhead, who served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of the Virgin for 24 years and as Chairman for five years

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) joins the Virgin Islands community in mourning the passing of Dr. Alexander Moorhead, former VI senator, business leader and UVI Board Chair Emeritus.

Cooks, volunteers, supporters, and fun seekers, numbered in the thousands, turned out at the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Afternoon on the Green fundraiser on Sunday, March 19, 2023, on St. Thomas to raise money for college scholarships. The 31st annual event drew crowds of people who partied with a purpose, danced to live music, played interactive games in the Kid Zone, explored UVI programs, and sampled a variety of dishes donated by local cooks and chefs.

In celebration of its annual Charter Day, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is pleased to announce a series of activities in commemoration of the 61st anniversary of its charter. Events kick off on Friday, March 17, 2023, with a Charter Day Walk/Run on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and conclude with a Charter Day ceremony on Friday, March 24, 2023, featuring VI Senate President Novelle E. Francis, Jr. as the keynote speaker.

The Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC) is overjoyed that the Honorable Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has proclaimed Wednesday, March 15, 2023, as ‘VI SBDC Day’ in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) annual “friendraiser” event, Afternoon on the Green, is back in person on Sunday, March 19, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Herman E. Moore Golf Course on St. Thomas. Live entertainment and an array of activities promise something for everyone at this year’s event themed “A Burst of Culture, Fun & Cuisine at Afternoon on the Green 2023”.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is pleased to announce that it has received a generous $20,000 donation from Tropical Shipping to support its Youth Ocean Explorers (YOE) program.

In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on Saturday, March 4, 2023, via Zoom, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to increase its tuition, board, graduation and Wellness Center fees, many of which have not been adjusted for more than a decade. The measures were taken in response to rising operating costs and to address the financial needs of the University.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands President Dean’s List and Reception on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas on Sunday, March 5. It will be held in the Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) School of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service (CES) invites interested persons to a free fruit tree grafting workshop from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9.

The University of the Virgin Islands was awarded $2.9 million from the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMC) on Feb. 27 2023. The program is run by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative.

Two students in the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Hospitality and Tourism Management program were awarded scholarships from Wyndham Destinations, the parent company of Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas, during an award ceremony held earlier this month.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, via Zoom. The meeting will begin with regular session agenda items.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands President Dean’s List and Reception on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix on Sunday, Feb. 26. It will be held in the Great Hall.

The University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) annual fundraiser event, Afternoon on the Green, is back on site at the Herman E. Moore Golf Course on St. Thomas and inviting the island’s talented cooks to donate their best dishes for a great cause.

The University of the Virgin Island (UVI) has canceled the remainder of the 2022-2023 women’s basketball schedule.

The Board of Trustees has retained the services of Isaacson Miller, a leading higher education search firm, to assist with the recruitment of the best possible candidate to succeed Dr. Hall, whose contract ends July 2024.

The public is invited to attend the 51st Annual Agriculture and Food Fair of the U.S. Virgin Islands from Feb. 18-20, at the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agricultural Complex in Estate Lower Love, St. Croix.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is hosting more than 3,000 students and educators from the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as students from 22 states, 30 countries and two U.S. territories as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Engagement and educator outreach initiatives.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) School of Education is proud to announce it has been awarded full 7-year accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). National accreditation assures the quality of professional preparation programs through a nongovernmental, nonregulatory process of self-study and peer review.

U.S. Virgin Islands teens and young adults interested in agricultural entrepreneurship are invited to apply to a unique weekend retreat co-sponsored by the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) School of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service.

The Caribbean Writer, the international, refereed literary journal published by the University of the Virgin Islands each year, is pleased to announce its 2023 theme---” Legacy: Reckoning and Repair” which is scheduled for publication in 2024.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and the University of St. Martin (USM), signaling the joint commitment and cooperation to offer the Bachelor of Education on Saba and Sint Eustatius. 

Two University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) students have been selected from undergraduates at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) across the United States to serve as student reporters for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Africa Correspondents Corps (HBCU-ACC).

New and transfer students at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) are invited to kick off the new year and the 2023 Spring Semester with orientation sessions and a convocation ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 5.

The Administration and Conference Center Building (ACC) at the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas has been named in honor of President Emerita Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster, the University’s fourth president.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the renaming of the University of the Virgin Islands Administration and Conference Center on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 3:30 p.m. on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

Race and gender are two of the topics to be placed under the microscope of cultural anthropologist Dr. Tami Navarro, at a highly anticipated lecture at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) on Friday, November 18, 2022. 

The University of the Virgin Islands Association of Black Journalists (UVIABJ) invites the VI community to its second annual, student-led journalism summit on Friday, Nov. 11, and Saturday, Nov. 12, to be held virtually.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) has extended a membership invitation for the University of the Virgin Islands to join the league beginning in the 2023-24 academic year, announced in a press conference on the University’s Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas this morning.

In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in the Administration and Conference Center Building, the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a new Associate of Applied Science degree program in Construction Management.

The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, in the Administration and Conference Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the VI Energy and Sustainability Fair on Saturday, Oct. 15, in the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

International fraternity Omega Psi Phi, Inc. has made a donation of $5,000 to the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) in support of the University’s strategic initiatives.

Martyn Forde to Present Keynote Speech at VI Energy & Sustainability Fair

The University of the Virgin Islands Office of Human Resources asks the University personnel who may qualify for premium pay under the American Rescue Plan Act and local Fiscal Recovery Funds to visit UVI website to determine qualification.

The Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Orville E. Kean Campus has been named in honor of Elridge Blake, the Virgin Islander whose extraordinary sports and athletics achievements span decades and continents.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Renaming Ceremony for the Sports and Fitness Center on Friday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The beautiful beaches of the northern U.S. Virgin Islands had some special visitors this spring, eight leatherback sea turtle nests have been documented on local beaches.

The University of the Virgin Islands recently established a partnership with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) to continue the goals of the USVI Walkability Institute.

The University of the Virgin Islands celebrated the grand opening of its state-of-the-art medical simulation center to improve medical education and healthcare in the Territory.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for the Medical Simulation Center.

The Board unanimously voted to establish a Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Aquaponics and Horticulture.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture for the 50th Land-Grant Anniversary.

The University of the Virgin Islands will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Land-Grant University status on June 22, in the Great Hall on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

Three University of the Virgin Islands' student entrepreneurs were awarded $48,000 at the annual 13D Entrepreneurship Business Launch Competition.

The University of the Virgin Islands' Center for Marine and Environmental Studies hosted a mangrove restoration learning exchange with H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University's Nursing Pinning Ceremony on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands will confer close to 300 degrees at its 58th Commencement Ceremonies being held in person this week in-person.

Dr. Robert Franklin, Jr., former President of Morehouse College, will deliver the keynote address at the 58th commencement ceremony of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI).

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University's Nursing Pinning Ceremony on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

The St. John Great Mangrove Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to noon along the mangrove shoreline in Coral Bay, St. John.

The University of the Virgin Islands has unveiled a cutting-edge innovation center that aims to bring together students, researchers, businesses, government leaders and other stakeholders.

This month, 97 community volunteers, from eight years old to 70 years young, participated in the fifth annual Great Mangrove Cleanup on St. Thomas.

Tamia Grant, a junior at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), has been crowned the 42nd Miss UVI.

New students are invited to begin the new year with a bang at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) 2022 Spring Semester Orientation

Students from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) recently showed off their entrepreneurial vision and spirit as part of the University’s annual Hackfest competition.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is mourning the loss of David Edgecombe, former executive director of the Reichhold Center for the Arts and retired associate professor of communications who passed away on Nov. 19.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), in partnership with USVI educators, announces the release of the USVI Marine Debris Curriculum. The curriculum was written exclusively for the U.S. Virgin Islands to bring awareness to the problem of marine debris in the Territory and to provide culturally-relevant, solutions-oriented, marine debris curricula for USVI schools. It uses local examples and lessons to create a curriculum that is engaging and meaningful to participating students.

For the second time this semester, a University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) communication student enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to participate in a White House press briefing. Nadege Barber, sophomore, communication minor and president of the student group UVI Association of Black Journalists (UVIABJ), joined 18 student journalists from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in a virtual White House (WH) Press Briefing with Senior Advisor Cedric Richmond on Nov.18.  

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands student ambassador, Miss UVI Jackeima Flemming to congratulate her on winning the 2021 Miss National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 13, in Atlanta, Georgia.  She is the third Miss UVI student ambassador to win the coveted crown and title.

Jackeima Flemming Crowned Miss NBCA Hall of Fame 2021-2022

In celebration of the University of the Virgin Islands Association of Black Journalists (UVIABJ first anniversary, the communication unit at (UVI) will host their inaugural virtual student-led journalism summit on Friday, Nov. 12, and Saturday, Nov. 13, via Zoom. A multitude of guests have been invited to celebrate in grand style, this historic occasion.

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) students enrolled in the Process Technology program will soon have access to advanced virtual reality and intelligent learning tools that will prepare them for real world work environments thanks to a $75,000 donation from Cruzan Rum. Louis Houle, Cruzan Rum Plant general manager was on hand to present the gift to Dr. Michelle Peterson, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics and Dr. Victoria Henry, assistant professor of Process Technology on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at the Research and Technology Park (RT Park) on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

Scholars from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) have published a user-friendly version of the founding documents of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The easily accessible, plain language version of the Revised Organic Act of 1954 is now available to the public in the form of a 185-page eBook thanks to the collaboration of UVI professor emeritus, Dr. Paul Leary; professor of political science and history, Dr. Malik Sekou; and UVI alumna, Attorney Patricia Welcome. The project was supported by a $20,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to raise public awareness of the Revised Organic Act and provide access to it via the territory’s schools, libraries, civic organizations and/or institutions. Its publication auspiciously coincides with Liberty Day, the Virgin Islands holiday commemorating the institution of free press in the former Danish West Indies.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is delighted to announce the appointment of Virgin Islander, Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar, as founding dean of the UVI S. Donald Sussman School of Medicine. The medical school is on track to becoming the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) medical school to be established since 1975 and the only public medical school in the nation. It will also be the first accredited and English-speaking medical school in the Caribbean. 

In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, via Zoom, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the draft strategic plan, including the mission and vision statements, for the UVI School of Medicine (UVISOM) project. With approval from the Board, the University plans to submit these required documents as part of its application for preliminary accreditation to the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME) in late November or early December.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23, via Zoom. All media questions should be sent via email to the UVI Director of Public Relations, Tamika Thomas-Williams.

Members of the media is invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands Athletic Department Media Day from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 18, in the Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) School of Business is embarking on a venture to provide training services and technical assistance to USVI small businesses that wish to sell products and services to federal, state, and the local USVI government. UVI will be the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to house a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), thanks to a $400K grant from the Defense Logistics Agency, Office of Small Business Programs.

The Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC) is proud to share another milestone in becoming more accessible to U.S. Virgin Islands Small Business owners and entrepreneurs. The VI SBDC app is now live and available to download for both Apple and Android users.

The University of the Virgin Islands’ Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) in partnership with the Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO) are looking for community input on the development of a comprehensive energy strategic plan for the Territory. The aim of the plan is to outline potential strategies, actions and programs that will bring the Virgin Islands together towards a brighter, cleaner and sustainable future of energy management.

A University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) communication student made history last week as a participant in a special White House briefing. UVI senior, communication major and contributing writer for UVIVoice2.0, George Francis, joined other student journalists from 21 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in a virtual White House briefing with Deputy Principal Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Sept, 10. In the half-hour live streamed event, Francis had the opportunity to directly interview Jean-Pierre as a professional journalist would in a White House press conference. The event was part of the first ever White House HBCU Week held in collaboration with the White House Initiative on HBCUs. The week’s activities marked debut demonstrations of initiatives put forth by the new administration.

On Sunday, Oct. 17, the University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture (SOA) Cooperative Extension Service will observe World Food Day from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. This event is open to the public. Join us in our second virtual experience of this event. The program will include a formal opening ceremony, workshops, demonstrations, entertainment, and free vegetable seedlings. This year’s World Food Day theme, selected by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, is “Our actions are our future - Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.”

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) joins the Virgin Islands community in mourning the passing of Holland L. Redfield II, six-term senator, radio show host, humanitarian and advocate of the University. In recognition of his decades of service to the Virgin Islands community, in particular his efforts to support St. Croix after the 2017 hurricanes, UVI awarded Redfield an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2018

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has climbed to the sixth spot among the top U.S. public schools in the category of regional colleges in the southern region, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges ranking published today. In addition to jumping from the seventh to sixth spot, UVI ranked 35 among all southern Regional Colleges – an increase from last year – and ranked 42 on the social mobility measure.

As Virgin Islanders mobilize to demand and act to increase their food security, the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) and the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) teamed up to aid farmers and families by donating more than 850 fruit trees on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. This effort was sponsored by Cruzan Rum’s Island Spirit Fund established in partnership with GlobalGiving and is aimed at increasing access to fresh food across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) libraries have been awarded over $280,000 in grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the American Library Association (ALA). The grants will support increased reference services, digitization efforts, and telehealth programming in partnership with VI community leaders.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has received the first installment of a $500,000 grant approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) to expand its efforts to advance constitutional development and self-determination in the Territory. The OIA Technical Assistance Program (TAP) grant will provide the funds needed to build upon an earlier related project spearheaded by UVI Political Science and History Professor Dr. Malik Sekou and a public education project led by Dr. Sekou and UVI Professor Emeritus Dr. Paul Leary. The second installment of $250,000 is expected in 2022.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) officially launched its new athletics website -- www.UVIAthletics.com – last week, a fully redesigned and modern site that will serve as the all-important first impression of the Athletics Department. The debut of the new website coincided with the unveiling of the Buccaneers Sports Network (BSN), a brand-new mobile app for UVI athletics.

The Caribbean Writer (TCW) has issued a call for artwork submissions to grace the cover and interior sections of Volume 36 under the 2021 theme: “Disruption, Disguise and Illuminations.” More and more, as history meets day-to-day experiences, epiphanies unfold and, as we self-interrogate the disruption motifs in many of these illuminations, the roots of prevailing disruptions emerge, complicated by disguise. Artists are invited to explore and depict this theme in its widest permutations.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) unveiled its Comprehensive Student Financial Support Initiative today at a virtual Student Forum presenting plans to forgive student debt and introduce several major financial supports for its students. This effort was developed by the University to assist students in pursuing their education during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The initiative will be funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s COVID Relief fund and by UVI.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Athletics Department announced plans to host the first “Virgin Islands HBCU Basketball Classic” tournament this November at the UVI Sports & Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas. The VI HBCU Basketball Classic is a men’s and women’s basketball tournament that will feature five National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) programs and 12 competitions (six men’s games and six women’s games) over the course of three days from November 3rd to the 5th.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will welcome new and transfer students with a week of orientation activities beginning Monday, Aug. 9, on both the Albert A. Sheen Campus-St. Croix and the Orville E. Kean Campus- St. Thomas.

Book Scholarship Awarded to Two Computer Science Majors

Over 20 community volunteers removed more than 3,000 pounds of debris from the shoreline during the 2021 St. John Great Mangrove Cleanup. Volunteers ages 22-77 cleaned 0.25 miles of mangrove debris from the shoreline in Coral Bay on Saturday, July 24. Much of the debris found had lingered as a result of the hurricanes.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) extends condolences to the family of Karen Hastie Williams, distinguished attorney, public servant, humanitarian, and wife of UVI Trustee, Reverend Dr. Wesley Williams known to many as Father Wes. She passed away on July 7, in Washington D.C.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has announced the creation of a new position - Dean of Innovation and Student Success. Dr. Pamela Moolenaar-Wirsiy will serve as the inaugural Dean of Innovation and Student Success beginning in the upcoming Fall Semester. This position will further UVI’s strategic plan, “Greatness Through Innovation” goals, and will help to position the University as an innovative institution, and as a place that fosters innovation.

Thirteen members of the Virgin Islands Fire Services recently completed a ten-week Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course on St. Croix.  The course, which was administered by UVI CELL, was approved by the VI Department of Health and followed the National Scope of Practice model designed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) National EMS Standards Curriculum.  

The St. Thomas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority made a six thousand donation on Thursday, June 24, to the Geraldine Heath Scholarship. Established at the University of the Virgin Islands in 2008, this four-year scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate male education major enrolled at UVI.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has appointed Dr. Karen Brown to serve as Dean of the School of Education after an extensive external search for a permanent hire.We are pleased to have Dr. Brown in this leadership position as UVI’s School of Education positions itself to provide 21st Century approaches to education,” said Dr. Camille McKayle, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.

Starting this Fall, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) School of Agriculture (SOA) will offer two new degree programs. The Associate Degrees in Horticulture and Agroecology were approved by the UVI Board of Trustees during their quarterly Board Meeting on Saturday, June 19th. Students in the Horticulture Program will learn the science and art of producing fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and ornamental plants, in addition to how to improve and market them.

New Look for UVI Athletics Beginning Fall 2021

After much discussion and debate, and in consultation with the Virgin Islands Department of Health, the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees voted on Saturday, June 19, to institute mandatory vaccinations for all students and employees.

Volunteers from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES) recently installed new swim zone buoys and boat channel markers at Brewers Bay on St. Thomas to replace ones lost in Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The effort was made possible through donations made in memory of former UVI professor Ron Johnson. Johnson taught at UVI from 1985 to 1989 but always held UVI and Brewers Bay close to his heart. When Johnson passed away last December, Russel and Alice Silver organized more than a dozen of his friends and family to improve the beach in his honor.

In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on June 19, via Zoom, the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees re elected Henry Smock to serve as chairman and Oran Roebuck as vice chairman

The University of the Virgin Islands in a triparty partnership with the Virgin Islands Government and Microsoft officially marked a first of its kind Technology Summit open with a ceremony hosted on Monday, June 1

The Caribbean Green Technology Center and the VI Department of Agriculture team of experts ask the USVI community to begin to use water conservation methods as the Virgin Islands are experiencing yet another drought. As this negative impact of climate change affects our ability to harvest water, the UVI Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) and the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (VIDA) are asking residents and farmers to begin reducing water use and conserving water as drought conditions are expected to last for at least another month.

The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, via Zoom. The meeting will begin with regular session agenda items and will continue with the election of officers. A slate of candidates for the positions of chair and vice chair has been developed and will be presented to the Board for their deliberation and action.

Entrepreneurship, uvi, student, businesses, marketing

Incredible Gift is the Foundation for Exciting, New Opportunity for Students and Community

University officials, government leaders and members of the Kean family assembled at the entrance to the University of the Virgin Islands campus on St. Thomas this afternoon to witness the unveiling of the newly installed sign marking the renaming of the campus to the Orville E. Kean Campus of the University of the Virgin Islands.

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands’ unveiling of the new sign bearing the campus’s new name -- the University of the Virgin Islands Orville E. Kean Campus -- on St. Thomas. The event will take place at 4:30 p.m. on June 3, at the University’s Information Kiosk, which is adjacent to the Upper Campus entrance overlooking the soccer field. The unveiling will take place at the UVI sign at the entrance to the upper campus.

The Caribbean Writer (TCW) has issued a call for submissions for Volume 36 under the 2021 theme: “Disruption, Disguise, and Illuminations.” More and more, as history meets day-to-day experiences, epiphanies unfold, and, as we self-interrogate the disruption motifs in many of these illuminations, the roots of prevailing disruptions emerge, complicated by disguise. Writers are invited to offer for consideration creative works exploring this theme in its widest permutations.

Members of the media are invited to cover the University of the Virgin Islands’ Fifty-Seventh Annual Commencement Ceremony at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 14, virtually. The online commencement ceremony will honor the 2021 graduates from the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas and the UVI extension campus at the University of St. Martin.

The University of the Virgin Islands and its partners are pleased to announce that the university will offer a Data Science Certificate Program, beginning in the Fall 2021 Semester. The program is designed to help professionals advance their careers by leveraging applied data science.

Jackeima Flemming was crowned Miss University of the Virgin Islands 2021-2022 at the 41st Annual Miss UVI Ambassadorial Virtual Competition held on Saturday, April 24, 2021, on St. Thomas after competing against three other contestants.   “I am absolutely elated and honored to have been crowned with the honorific title of goodwill ambassador to UVI. The journey was nothing short of amazing and I am excited to continue being of service to my University,” Flemming said.

Dr. Kimberly Mills, executive director for the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD), was awarded the Disability and Disasters Award by the Natural Hazards Center. This inaugural award was presented to Dr. Mills because of her efforts in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

In honor and celebration of Earth Day 2021, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (VIDPNR), the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are co-hosting a series of webinars and community conversations about solid waste and the Territory’s plans and progress towards lifecycle assessment (LCA), sustainable materials management (SMM) and zero waste (ZW).

The University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture unveiled two new varieties of sorrel to the public on Thursday, April 8, via Facebook live. Sorrel varieties ‘Festival’ and ‘Midnite’ are a combination of Caribbean and African varieties (from Nigeria and Ghana), crossed with a Trinidad variety of Black Sorrel.

The University of the Virgin Islands is deeply disturbed by an alleged sexual assault that was reported in the early morning hours of April 20, 2021. The alleged victim was taken to Juan F. Luis Hospital by UVI Security. The students involved in the incident had participated earlier in an unapproved on-campus party that ended around 3 a.m.

The University of the Virgin Islands Student Government Association invites the public to the 41st annual Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition on Saturday, April 24, at 6 p.m. Themed “The Great Gatsby of the 21st Century,” the ambassadorial competition will be streamed online. Tickets to the online event are $10 for the early bird special and $15 for regular admission. To purchase tickets, click the following Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition or university-of-the-virgin-islands.cleeng.com. Once tickets are purchased, persons will receive an email allowing them to access the event.

Commencement 2021 Slated for May 14th

Members of the media are invited to cover and photograph the University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture unveiling of two new sorrel varieties developed at UVI, “Festival” and “Midnite.” This event will take place between 10 a.m. and noon on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at the University’s School of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Station field plot on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

The upcoming VI Literary Festival and Book Fair have been rescheduled to Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2, 2021. According to Festival Chair Alscess Lewis-Brown, the event has been pushed back to ensure full engagement from the Caribbean diaspora.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, recently awarded up to $4,123,164 to the University of the Virgin Islands to retrofit the dormitories and library on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.

Communication students at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) won top awards at the 70th annual Southern Regional Press Institute (SRPI) virtual conference last month. Jada Roberts, George Francis, and Kalyna Nielson received third place for ‘Best Public Service Announcement’ for their video presentation on the Jerusalema Dance Challenge. Kendrekus Jackson received third place for ‘Best Radio Podcast’ and M’Kayla Sullivan received second place for ‘Best Photograph’ in a feature story. The conference, hosted by Savannah State University, had participations from Bethune Cookman University, Georgia Highlands College, Augusta University and North Carolina Central University.

The Reichhold Center for the Arts is launching a new project aimed at showcasing the artistic talents of Virgin Islanders. The concert series, dubbed RCA Sessions, will launch as a live streaming event on Thursday, March 18, at 7 p.m. featuring local reggae band Dub Lab. Concert viewers will enjoy bi-monthly performances by local performing artists who are encouraged to explore their creativity and develop works that exemplify their art form.  

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is celebrating the 59th anniversary of its charter with a wide range of events including a formal Charter Day Ceremony marking the occasion when the University, formerly known as the College of the Virgin Islands, was officially created by the V.I. Legislature in 1962.  

The University of the Virgin Islands, Division of Student Affairs on both campuses are working with Ascendium’s Project Success to offer paid internship opportunities for students to complete their course requirements for graduation. The program will be administered through the Office of Student Employment, collectively, with the University’s schools and colleges to provide paid opportunities for students enrolled in student teaching, clinical, and internships beginning the Summer of 2021.

UVI Celebrates Back the Bucs Week 2021

The University of the Virgin Islands Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Program has received a generous donation in the amount of $60,000 from the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation. The purpose of the donation is to continue supporting research efforts surrounding the critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtles and lead to the creation of an action plan for the recovery of hawksbills in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Junior high and high school students are invited to apply to the AgDiscovery Summer Enrichment Program at the University of the Virgin Islands. The program will be conducted by staff of the School of Agriculture on both the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas and the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix from July 18 - 31, 2021. Students in grades 7 – 12 are eligible to apply by visiting the website at http://ces.uvi.edu There are no registration fees.

The Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC) is honored to share its achievements in the form of best practices to fulfill its initiative to help businesses grow and succeed.

The Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC) encourages small businesses affected by COVID-19 to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) federal disaster assistance before the March 31 deadline. Counselors and consultants are available to provide confidential consulting and no-cost assistance with application submission.

In celebration of #WorldWaterDay, the Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) at the University of the Virgin Islands will host World Water Month outreach events throughout March to showcase the ways Virgin Islanders can learn more about water quality, safe drinking water, water conservation strategies, wastewater, and the impacts of drought on agriculture.

Afternoon 2021 on the Green to be Celebrated Virtually

UVI New Glass Crusher Project to Begin Collecting Glass in March

The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, via Zoom. Media instructions for participation will be shared via email.  Once connected to the meeting, members of the media are required to mute their devices and turn off their cameras for the duration of the meeting. Members of the media are asked not to ask questions during the meeting. All questions should be sent via email to the UVI Director of Public Relations, Tamika Thomas-Williams, at tamika.thomaswilliams@uvi.edu. 

The Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC), the territory’s premier provider of free consulting, low-cost training and technical assistance, has recruited experts from both the public and private sector to provide business education training during Covid-19.

Virgin Islanders everywhere will soon have user-friendly access to the founding documents of the U.S. Virgin Islands. University of the Virgin Islands Professor of Political Science and History, Dr. Malik Sekou has been awarded a grant in the amount of $20,000 from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) for the purpose of creating an integrated, easily accessible, plain language brochure of the Revised Organic Act of 1954, that provides both the legislation and its amendments in both electronic and hard copy formats.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued updated guidance on COVID-19 precautions for all workplaces. In a press release published on January 29, 2021, OSHA issued stronger guidelines based on a mandate by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. The new guidance provides recommendations to mitigate and prevent the viral spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

The Virgin Island Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC) in collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands’ Creativity Lab will assist small businesses affected by Covid-19.

St. John School of the Arts (SJSA) in collaboration with the United Jazz Foundation (UJF) will virtually present an Evening of Classics and Jazz with the University of the Virgin Islands Music faculty, students and special guests on Friday, Feb. 12. There will be a “Mingle with the Musicians” event starting at 7 p.m. via Zoom and then the virtual concert begins at 7:30 p.m. This concert is part of the annual Sis Frank Concert Series that has been bringing world-renowned musicians to St. John. This year SJSA is offering all concerts in the series for free but is asking for donations to help cover expenses.

The University of the Virgin Islands has received $250,000 from Diageo North America to create a permanent endowment fund and provide financial aid grants to talented students across different disciplines and majors. This is part of a broader innovative program that Diageo North America announced to support 25 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), focused on building opportunities to develop future leaders and help shape a more equitable society. The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of students over the years across the country.

The Caribbean Writer (TCW) has issued a call for submissions for Volume 36 under the 2021 theme: Disruption, Disguise, and Illuminations. As history meets our day to day experiences, epiphanies unfold; and as we self-interrogate the disruption motifs in many of these illuminations, the roots of prevailing disruptions emerge, complicated by disguise. Submissions exploring this theme in its widest permutations are invited.

The University of the Virgin Islands will host the first edition of the Andre and Edith Galiber Medical Lecture Series Thursday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. (AST). This first lecture series will focus on the Coronavirus. “The COVID-19 Pandemic: Its Epidemiology, Pathology and Psychosocial Impact on our VI Community,” will be streamed live via the University’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has appointed Virgin Islands healthcare professional, Charlene Navarro, to be the director of the UVI Medical Simulation Center, bringing the University one step closer to opening the state-of the-art medical education facility currently under construction on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. Slated to open this summer, the UVI Medical Simulation Center will provide an immersive medical simulation experience to UVI students, as well as continuing education and certification courses for local and visiting healthcare professionals.

The University of the Virgin Islands’ St. Thomas Campus has been renamed the “Dr. Orville E. Kean Campus of the University of the Virgin Islands,” to honor and commend UVI President Emeritus Orville E. Kean for more than three decades of extensive service and contributions to the University and the Virgin Islands.

The University of the Virgin Islands will commemorate more than 370 degrees earned by graduates in the Class of 2020

Members of the media are invited to cover the University of the Virgin Islands Fifty-Sixth Annual Commencement Ceremony at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, virtually. This online commencement ceremony will be a first for the University and will feature the 2020 graduates from the Albert A. Sheen and the St. Thomas Campuses.

Students, Faculty and Staff to Return to Campus in Spring 2021

The University of the Virgin Islands Athletics Department has made the decision to cancel its playing season for Spring 2021 due to surging COVID-19 cases across the United States.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) joins the Virgin Islands community in mourning the loss of Ruth Elma Thomas, a widely respected linguist and educator who received numerous honors and awards for her outstanding achievements in education and community service.

Dance instructors from the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Department of Communication and Performing Arts are presenting virtual dance workshops this month to highlight the dance techniques and academic studies offered in the newly launched Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) dance program. The workshops are offered free of charge to the public, and high school students are encouraged to participate. 

The public is invited to participate in a free virtual three-day Produce Safety Alliance Training and Certification event on Dec. 1 – 3, 2020. The training will take place via the Zoom platform.

The Caribbean Writer is pleased to announce the Prize Winners for its Volume 34 edition under the theme, Dignity, power and Place in the Caribbean Space. Winners in the various categories are as follows:

The University of the Virgin Islands Offices of the President and Provost are pleased to unveil a Distinguished Culture and History lecture series, featuring new UVI Scholars in Residence, Dr. Tami Navarro, Dr. Hadiyah Sewer, LaVaughn Belle and Tiphanie Yanique.

The Nominations Committee of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has elected Haldane Davies, vice president for Business Development and Innovation of the University of the Virgin Islands to serve on the IEDC Board of Directors. The nomination took place during IEDC's 2020 Annual Conference, which ran from Oct. 13-16, 2020. Dr. Davies’ term begins on January 1, 2021.

Hackfest 2020 Winners

This December, the University of the Virgin Islands will host a Virtual Commencement Ceremony to commemorate degrees earned by more than 300 graduates in the Class of 2020.

The University of the Virgin Islands welcomes Alfonzo Duncan to the University’s Athletics Department, where he will serve as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach and Wellness Center Manager. Duncan brings over 30 years of experience in intercollegiate coaching and athletic administration to the department at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I & II and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level.

The University of the Virgin Islands Communication Department students have founded the University of the Virgin Islands Association of Black Journalists (UVIABJ) student chapter, becoming the first student and only NABJ affiliate chapter in the Caribbean. At its annual October meeting, the executive board of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) made a unanimous decision to officially grant UVIABJ chapter status.

In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, via Zoom, the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt amendments to the University’s Sexual Harassment Policy.

The Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC) appoints new Associate State Director. Karen Jones was recently selected from a distinguished group of candidates to serve as the Associate State Director of the VI SBDC. Ms. Jones is a graduate of Union College in Kentucky, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

The University of the Virgin Islands School of Business, in conjunction with the U.S. Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (SBDC), will host a business webinar entitled “Small Business Conversations from the Frontline: Social Media Concepts and Strategies” on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 5:30 to 6:45 pm.

UVI School of Nursing Receives Masks from Mu Eta Chapter - Chi Eta Phi Sorority

The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, via Zoom. Media instructions for participation will be shared via email. Once connected to the meeting, members of the media are required to mute their devices and turn off their cameras for the duration of the meeting. Members of the media are asked not to ask questions during the meeting. All questions should be sent via email to the UVI Director of Public Relations, Tamika Thomas-Williams, at tamika.thomaswilliams@uvi.edu.

The University of the Virgin Islands will, for the first time, observe World Food Day virtually, with some physical events. The UVI School of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service invites the public to World Food Day events on Sunday, Oct. 18, on Zoom via 921 6461 0205. This year’s theme is “Grow, Nourish, Sustain, Together.”

Miss UVI 2020 Coronation

Energy Month Webinars

A new poll was released by VI Tech Stack in collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL).

UVI Receives Benjamin Foundation Gifts

U.S. News World Report Ranks UVI 7 Top Public School Among Southern Regional Colleges

A new species of Caribbean “clam shrimp” has been discovered at an unlikely place: the water hazards of the Herman E. Moore Golf Course at the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) St. Thomas Campus. In an article published last month in the peer-reviewed journal Zoological Studies, Drs. D. Christopher Rogers from the University of Kansas and Edwin Cruz-Rivera from UVI’s Department of Biological Sciences write about their unexpected discovery. After comparing their specimens from UVI to other similar animals from museum collections, the researchers settled on the scientific name Eulimnadia insularis, which literally means “pleasant pond goddess from an island.” The finding underscores how much of the biodiversity in the Caribbean has yet to be discovered, even for areas that humans have been using for a long time.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) is pleased to announce the release of “Powering Through a Blackout,” a resource guide for energizing various devices and tools for instances when power goes out.

UVI Graduates Help Design Cyber Security Training and Competition for Middle and High School Students

UVI CELL in partnership with Diageo USVI and supported by Bellows International and the Virgin Islands Department of Labor are pleased to announce that registration is currently ongoing for the 2020 Learning Skills for Life program on St. Croix and St. Thomas. Learning Skills for Life is part of a larger global training program introduced by Diageo to help individuals develop valuable life skills and expand career possibilities.

New Minor in Data Science

In preparation for the approach of Tropical Storm Laura, the University of the Virgin Islands will close both of its campuses at 4:30 p.m. today, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. Tropical Storm Laura is projected to pass between St. Thomas and St. Croix in the early hours on Saturday morning.

Dr. Jerel Drew Named as New UVI Athletic Director

Student Summer Research Symposium 2020

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) joins the Virgin Islands community in mourning the death of baseball legend Horace Clarke, who died last Wednesday at the age of 82. Born in St. Croix, Clarke rose to national prominence as a professional baseball player with the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres.

Fall 2020 Orientation Student Convocation

Media Invited to Cover, Photograph Virtual Summer Research Symposium

Media Invited to Cover & Photograph Virtual AgDiscovery Summer Program Closing Ceremony

UVI Campuses to Re-Open for Regular Hours on Friday, July 31st Following TS Isaias

UVI to Close in Advance of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine

The University of the Virgin Islands will delay the implementation of the Fall 2020 on campus reopening due to concerns related to the COVID 19 pandemic.

The University of the Virgin Islands joins the Virgin Islands community in mourning the death of Ron De Lugo, who led the Territory as a career public servant for almost four decades.

The University of the Virgin Islands’ Etelman Observatory has joined an international collaboration of telescopes across the globe focused on studying and understanding the elusive explosions in space that lead to the emission of powerful bursts of gravitational waves.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) mourns the death of Dr. Ruth Harrigan-Beagles, a retired associate professor of Education and chair of the Education Division at the University of the Virgin Islands. She passed away on July 6.

The Virgin Islands Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR) has been awarded funding for its fourth National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR grant titled “Ridge to Reef”. The Ridge to Reef (R2F) project is a five-year, $20 million grant dedicated to addressing the impacts of changing environmental conditions on small island social-ecological systems such as those in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Educators at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Inclusive Childcare Lab and Diagnostic Center are using technology to keep their preschool students connected while the center is temporarily closed due to COVID-19. In the morning, students and their parents log on to Zoom for virtual circle time with teachers to listen to stories, play games, practice counting and learn the alphabet.

UVI Shool of Business to Host Webinar for V.I. Small Businesses

AROC Establishes Endowment Fund at UVI

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) President Dr. David Hall addressed the UVI community on Tuesday, June 30, during a virtual town hall meeting to discuss the University’s fall 2020 semester plans and operations, in light of the continued challenges posed by COVID-19. Dr. Hall outlined plans to gradually resume in-person instruction this fall with restrictions and preventative measures to ensure the safety of students, employees and the public.

UVI SNA Wins Two NSNA Awards

Board of Trustees Meeting on June 20, 2020

The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, via teleconference.

The University of the Virgin Islands welcomes Dr. Suzanne Darrow-Magras as the director for the UVI Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL). Dr. Darrow-Magras brings over 20 years of experience in education program management, online education, as well as career and technical education to the center.

Less than three years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria slammed into the U.S. Virgin Islands, Intellectual Global Concepts, LLC (IGC), a local technology, media and entertainment company, hosts the 2020 Music is Life Festival on Feb. 28—an event focused on supporting music students at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) who were directly impacted by the disaster.

The Caribbean Writer (TCW) announces a call for submissions for Volume 35 under the 2020 theme: Diasporic Rhythms: Interrogating the Past, Imagining a Future.” Submissions that explore the ideas resonating within the region and its diaspora are desired. The Caribbean Writer invites submissions that explore this theme in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays or one-act plays.”

Spring semester classes at the University of the Virgin Islands are scheduled to begin on Monday, Jan. 13. Online registration for continuing UVI students is available, with access through the University’s BanWeb registration and MyCampus portal. Late registration for new and continuing students is set for Friday, Jan. 10. UVI class schedules, a link to the BanWeb login page and additional details are available from the Registrar’s section of the UVI website: www.uvi.edu.

In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on March 3, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and the Administration and Conference Center Building on the St. Thomas Campus, the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees unanimously approved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies – Strategic Communications to be offered as part of the UVI Online program.