As part of the next phase of implementing UVI’s GRAND Momentum strategic plan, the University of the Virgin Islands has partnered with Arizona State University’s University (ASU) Design Institute (UDI)—recognized as the nation’s most innovative university for ten consecutive years—to co-develop a transformative roadmap that positions UVI as a regional leader in education, workforce development, innovation and economic growth.
In May 2025, a UDI delegation visited the U.S. Virgin Islands and engaged with more than 50 stakeholders, including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, legislators, business leaders, nonprofits and philanthropic partners. These sessions explored aspirations for the Territory’s future, UVI’s potential role in achieving that vision and strategies to overcome key challenges.
In June, UVI and UDI hosted a design summit in Washington, D.C., to shape strategies that expand institutional impact, improve competitiveness and attract new funding and partnerships. The initiative culminated in July with an intensive immersion in Arizona, where UVI and USVI leaders explored ASU’s innovation model and best practices in areas like health, economic development and community partnerships.
Insights from the sessions will inform a Pathways to the Future Report, which will present a bold, actionable vision for transforming UVI to maximize its social and economic impact across the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean region.