Bucs Life

It is my pleasure to invite you to explore the spring issue of our BucsLife Newsletter. As the new Vice President of Institutional Advancement, I am honored to join you on this extraordinary journey to advance the University of the Virgin Islands.

As a nurse, educator, researcher and leader in higher education, Dr. Safiya George has dedicated her entire career to the care and advancement of others. Today, having risen to one of the most influential roles in higher education in the Caribbean, as president of the only HBCU outside the continental U.S., Dr. George combines her deep-rooted compassion for others with bold visionary thinking to position UVI at the forefront for social and economic change in the U.S. Virgin Islands and beyond.

Keisha L. Richards’ journey to becoming the CEO of the St. Thomas Federal Credit Union is anything but conventional. Before setting her sights on finance, Keisha explored a career in cosmetology. However, after a brief stint in the field, she realized it wasn’t the path she wanted. She transitioned into construction, working for Island Block, and later became a bank teller, parking a newfound interest in finance.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) proudly shines a spotlight on Thriving Charity Advocates, LLC, (TCA), whose generous contributions continue to uplift the university’s Music Program. This professional fundraising organization, based in St. Thomas and recognized as an Economic Development Commission beneficiary, is led by award-winning music producers Wesley Campbell and David Wagner.

White House HBCU Scholar Kyra Edwards is proof that reading is the key to success. An avid reader growing up in Dominica, Edwards always found enjoyment in reading fiction, a past time she continues to nurture despite her busy schedule as a college senior majoring in accounting and minoring in communications.

University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) research scientist Dr. Paul Jobsis is an expert in sea turtle biology and his observations revealed previously unknown facts about the life of Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas). In a paper published in June 2024 in the journal Marine Biodiversity, Dr. Jobsis, UVI Director of the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, along with Jessica Michael, of the Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative, wrote about three species of cleaning fish, not known to participate in this symbiotic relationship, found cleaning green sea turtles.

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 seeking students interested in registering for the Introduction to Renewable Energy course starting January 13, 2025.

From musical concerts to sporting events, take note of important dates and special activities scheduled over the upcoming weeks and months at UVI.

This issue’s multimedia highlight features UVI’s newest recruitment tool that allows students to experience UVI from anywhere in the world! Our Virtual Tour brings our two campuses to life with interactive 360 photos and videos that let students explore UVI and immerse themselves in our campus culture. The tour also showcases sites throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands for a glimpse of island life. Check it out! https://www.uvi.edu/about/campuses/index.html