The first 100 days of a presidential term is often used as a marker by which others can measure the early success of a new president. It is also an opportunity to see if the person has remained true to the promises that were made during the campaign. Though this time period is not customarily used as a measure for university presidents, I have chosen to embrace this marker and use it as an opportunity to share with the larger community some of my reflections and efforts so far. As the fifth president of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) I am honoured to embrace this awesome responsibility. I am deeply appreciative of the support which the Board of Trustees, the faculty, staff and students have shown me during the early stages of my presidency. I am also thankful for the enormous amount of time that so many individuals in the public and private sectors have invested to meet with me and share their perspectives about the University and the Territory. I especially want to acknowledge the various acts of kindness that have been shown to my wife and children as they transitioned into this new environment.
In my first 100 days I have observed a university that is central to the life of the people in the Virgin Islands and the region. UVI has positively influenced the lives of so many individuals during the last 47 years. I am moved by the numerous stories I have heard from our alumni and alumnae about how their education at UVI opened so many doors of opportunity for them. This University has been a producer of ideas, a catalyst for economic growth and a consistent source of public service that has attempted to address some of the critical needs of this beautiful land.
In my first 100 days I have found a university with brilliant and creative professors, dedicated and talented staff, a hardworking and optimistic cabinet, and bright, respectful and inspiring students. Some of our students are engaged in research projects that are as demanding and creative as those of undergraduate students at major universities throughout the U.S. mainland. Though there have been tensions between the faculty and the administration in the past, the faculty and the administration have been working collaboratively in the face of difficult challenges in order to re-establish a culture of trust and transparency. I have also attempted to create a greater presidential presence on our St. Croix campus by visiting it at least once a week and creating a St. Croix Presidential Advisory Council made up of administrators, faculty and students from that campus. This structure is allowing us to focus on the special needs and challenges facing the St. Croix campus.
Despite this strong foundation, I have asked the University to embrace the call of “Greatness.” I have challenged all of us to imagine a future that transforms our present reality. We are defining our quest for greatness in terms of achievement and values. We must be a university where we perform at our highest potential, and where we have high expectations for our students and ourselves. Greatness requires us to re-examine the way we presently operate and effectively address the roadblocks that stand in the way of our success. Greatness also means that we must offer a greater variety of programs, degrees and certificates that address the economic, social and political needs of the Territory and world that we now serve and are destined to serve. Yet greatness also relates to values. We cannot be great if we do not care deeply about others and use our resources and knowledge to address the critical problems of those around us. We cannot be great unless we have a deep respect for the preciousness of life, the environment and our future. Our paths to greatness must be paved with the insights from our minds and the love from our hearts.
In these first 100 days we have begun a journey to enhance the success of all of our students. Though our first year student retention rate is above many of our peer institutions (75%), our six year graduation rate is unacceptable (25%). We are losing over three fourths of the students who initially enroll at the University. To adequately address the economic and social challenges of this society, we must graduate a much larger percentage of our students. We must determine the factors that stand in the way of their success and we must assist our students in overcoming them. To that end, I have convened a Retention Task Force that is charged with developing a comprehensive strategy for ensuring that all of our students are successful and will graduate. This may sound like an impossible dream, but greatness demands that we aim for excellence and do all that is within our power to achieve it.
In these first 100 days we also began a journey to ensure that all children within the Territory receive the best education possible. I have begun a dialogue with the commissioner of the V.I. Department of Education and the superintendents of the St. Thomas/St John and St. Croix Districts to identify areas where the University can assist the public school system in enhancing the quality of education in the Territory. We have identified a number of mutually beneficial areas that can serve as a basis for our partnership. I have also convened an Education Task Force at the University to explore these areas and develop other initiatives that can strengthen the preparation of students before they arrive at the University. I hope to soon engage the private and parochial school leaders in a similar conversation and effort. Together we will plan an educational summit that will bring all stakeholders to the table so that we collaboratively develop a clear pathway to educational excellence from pre-school to graduate school.
A special aspect of both of the above initiatives is the special challenges that face our male students at all levels of the educational spectrum. The number of male students who make it to the college level and graduate is unacceptable. Male students comprise only 27% of our present student population. If there is a moral calling that we cannot ignore, it is the challenges that are facing Black male students in the U.S. Virgin Islands and throughout the U.S. mainland. If we continue to lose a generation of boys and young men, then we will have charted a future of doom and not one of greatness. I had an inspiring conversation with about 15 male students at the University last week and we pledged to work together to address this challenge within the University and within the community. They understand that we must be “our brother’s keeper” if we are to reverse this pattern. This conversation is the first step in a massive undertaking we will embark upon to save and inspire our male children. I look forward in the next 100 days to working with various community leaders, religious leaders and all interested individuals to discuss how we can collectively address this crisis.
The first 100 days has been a period of “listening and changing.” I have learned so much about this wonderful place that is now home for my family and me by listening to the opinions and ideas of countless individuals. I have been inspired by the generosity of spirit, the warm smiles and the sincere anticipation and appreciation that has greeted me in these early days. As I learn more about my new home I have also attempted to address some of the obvious weaknesses and challenges within the University. I will continue to listen and learn, and continue to strive to steer this special University on the path towards greatness. To those who I have not had the opportunity to meet, I look forward to our future encounters. Each encounter with a resident of the Virgin Islands plants more seeds of greatness and humility within my soul. I pledge, in turn, to plant those seeds of inspiration within the soil of this fertile University.