The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) celebrated the graduation of 41 professionals from its Virgin Islands Certified Public Manager® (VI-CPM) Program, marking its seventh cohort and bringing the total number of program graduates to 296.
Offered through the UVI Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL) in partnership with the Virgin Islands Division of Personnel, the 13-month program trains professionals to lead teams, solve problems and deliver results in their organizations and communities. The program is accredited by the National Certified Public Manager Consortium (NCPMC), which establishes national standards for Certified Public Manager programs.
“We are incredibly proud of our 41 graduates and their commitment to leadership and professional excellence,” said Dr. Latashia Edwards, UVI CELL community engagement manager and VI-CPM program director. “As we celebrate our seventh cohort, we remain dedicated to developing strong, innovative leaders who will make a lasting impact throughout the Virgin Islands.”
The 2025-26 cohort drew professionals from the Virgin Islands government, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and the private sector. Participants completed coursework in leadership, organizational effectiveness, collaboration and problem-solving, along with individual and group capstone projects addressing real-world workplace and community challenges. Among the projects were proposals to strengthen emergency preparedness through improved interagency communication, modernize cemetery records and burial plot identification, and enhance the Department of Agriculture's collection and management of agricultural data from local farmers. These projects demonstrate how participants applied their training to develop practical solutions with the potential to improve government operations and public services.
The program's impact extends beyond the classroom, with graduates applying their new skills to strengthen workplace performance and team development.
In a program survey, one participant shared how the experience improved their ability to coach and support staff through effective communication, constructive feedback and goal-setting.
“The skills I learned have strengthened my leadership approach and enhanced my ability to develop a positive, productive team environment,” the participant wrote.
“One of the greatest strengths of the program is the opportunity to immediately apply what we learned in our workplaces,” said graduate James Henderson of the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture. “Learning alongside dedicated professionals from different fields brought valuable perspectives to the classroom, and the expertise of our instructors made the lessons especially relevant and practical.”
Graduation ceremonies were held Oct. 6 at the Great Hall on St. Croix and Oct. 13 at the 13D Research & Strategy Innovation Center on St. Thomas. Government officials, program leaders, faculty, colleagues, family members and friends gathered to recognize the graduates' achievements and encourage them to uphold the program's core values of professionalism, service above self, principled leadership, respect, teamwork and inclusiveness.
“What makes this cohort so remarkable is their dedication to both public service and lifelong learning,” said Dr. Chinue Uecker, VI-CPM program manager. “These are professionals who already give so much to their communities, yet they are committed to challenging themselves, growing as leaders and strengthening their ability to serve.”
To learn more about the VI-CPM program or future enrollment, contact the Virgin Islands Division of Personnel at training@dop.vi.gov.
