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.
Since assuming the role as UVI’s sixth president in August 2024, Dr. George has expressed her care in the many formal and informal ways she has reached out to students, faculty and staff, carefully listening to concerns and recommendations from those most intimate with UVI. She embarked on a public listening tour across the Territory facilitating meetings and strategic planning sessions with members of the community, school counselors and alumni to hear their hopes for the future of UVI. She even traveled as far as the White House to speak with national stakeholders and to advocate on behalf of UVI and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Dr. George pledges, “I plan to use that critical feedback to co-create a presidential vision to advance UVI’s vision to be an exceptional U.S. institution of higher education in the Caribbean dedicated to student success and committed to excellence.”
A proud Virgin Islander and UVI’s first alumna president (Class of ‘97 and ‘99), President George credits the islands and UVI for her successes. “The education and experience that UVI provided me served as the bedrock and foundation for what I’ve become as an educator, scholar, scientist, administrator, athlete and poet. As a Lady Buccaneer, UVI is where I learned to be part of a solid team based on trust and accountability, which was transformative,” she states. “The UVI community has long been a trusted beacon of hope in our USVI and the main pipeline for creating and preparing the next generation of dynamic, prepared leaders. That is precisely why I am here.”
Now in the process of developing a new strategic plan that will guide UVI over the next several years, President George makes clear her number one priority is – and will always be – student success and elevating the student experience. “Our primary mission is to support students first and foremost, period. I am here as president to ensure that each and every area of the University operates at optimal capacity to efficiently support our students,” she emphasizes.
In addition to planning widespread operational and programming enhancements to improve student experiences and outcomes, Dr. George’s student-centric philosophy is already making waves across both campuses and on the internet. If you follow social media, you’ll see President George featured in student Tik Tok videos, playing basketball and pickleball with students, attending student presentations, and celebrating the first UVI Homecoming in many years with students past and present.
Part of Dr. George’s courageous vision is to make UVI “a destination first choice university” that attracts students from around the world to its unique programs. “We need to own that we’re number one at marine science and recognize the opportunity to tap into the global demand for high-quality and affordable nursing programs,” she declares. Dr. George envisions using an influx of private and federal funding to expand the nursing program, increase faculty and develop graduate-level nursing programs. “UVI is at the cornerstone of the solution to enhance the nursing workforce in the Territory and beyond,” she states.
President George envisions UVI leading the region in STEAM education and raising the public health profile of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Caribbean region through various initiatives and strategic partnerships, including working more closely with UVI’s Research & Technology Park and Territorial government agencies. She also intends to launch UVI’s School of Medicine, ensuring its long-term viability and financial sustainability through a partnership with another LCME-accredited School of Medicine.
Fundraising is a major priority for President George, and she is already working towards meeting the $5 million goal set for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Strengthening research infrastructure, investing in UVI employees, increasing operational efficiency, and using data to inform decision making are also among the President’s top objectives. Through enhanced marketing and recruitment efforts, President George also seeks to increase enrollment and raise awareness of UVI’s offerings both locally and internationally.
As the UVI community unites around its new leader and the inspiring vision she brings to the institution, Dr. George is further energized by the insightful feedback she receives from the greater community. She welcomes public comment and ideas on how to shape the future of UVI at uvipresident@uvi.edu.