UVI’s First Ph.D. And New Graduate Program To Be Featured In Caribbean

University of the Virgin Islands alumni, political and corporate leaders, and others will get an opportunity to take advantage of career advancement opportunities offered by UVI, the institution of higher learning announced today. Namely, the University’s first Ph.D. and six master’s level programs in business and education.  Representatives from UVI will visit five island nations between June 15 and 30.

The new graduate programs include:

• The Ph.D. in Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change, starting in the fall of 2016.  The degree program will offer an extensive study of relevant leadership knowledge, which will be applied to the development of innovative practices for leading institutions and other complex organizations.
• The Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in counseling is designed to prepare students to work in a variety of social service and counseling settings. 
• The Executive Master of Business Administration targets students who are currently employed in executive capacities, but who lack graduate credentials.
• The Master of Accounting has an option to do a dual Master of Business Administration degree.
• The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership is designed to prepare aspiring principals, assistant principals, and other educational professionals for school leadership positions.
• The Master of Arts in School Counseling and Guidance is designed to prepare aspiring school counselors to become strong, effective and capable of facing the challenges of a changing territory, Caribbean and world.

Associate Provost Dr. James Maddirala shared information about the university’s graduate programs with public and private sector leaders in other Caribbean nations. Dr. Maddirala will travel to Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Anguilla and Tortola. He will be meeting with heads of state and other community leaders, many of whom are ready to spread the word about these new educational opportunities.

An onsite application process and assistance will be available at every event, which will also include opportunities to meet and greet.  Light refreshments will be served.  The meetings will take place at the following times and venues:

• St. Martin: June 13, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – University of St. Maarten
• Anguilla: Tuesday, June 14, 5:30 p.m. – Anguilla Community College
• Tortola: Thursday, June 16, 5:30 p.m.  – H. Lavity Stoutt Community College
• Nevis: Tuesday, June 28, 5:30 p.m.  – St. Paul’s Anglican Church Hall, Charlestown, Nevis
• St. Kitts: Thursday, June 30, 5:30 p.m. – Fitzroy Bryan Community College

“If your passion has waned, trust the magic of new beginnings,” said Dr. Maddirala, who is also the program director for the Ph.D. in Creative Leadership.  “Adult learners in our new Ph.D. program will be encouraged to study organizations from a transdisciplinary perspective that will transform communities through local and global venues.”

Graduate programs are available to international students who meet all entrance requirements.  Some classroom time is compulsory, but international students will be allowed to complete most components of the degree online.

Vance Amory, the current Premier of Nevis, is a UVI alumnus who is eager to promote UVI graduate programs throughout his country.  Chief Minister of Anguilla, Victor Banks – also a UVI alumnus – wishes to support the expansion of UVI by encouraging members of his community to choose UVI for its academic excellence, proximity, affordability and flexibility. 

Dr. Maddirala will be reaching out to other UVI alumni in the island nations as well.  “Throughout the past year, alumni and friends have shown great interest in our new graduate programs, and the Office of Alumni Affairs has received numerous queries about the Ph.D. program, which is slated to begin in the fall of 2016,” said Linda Smith, UVI’s director of annual giving and alumni affairs.  “UVI has produced notable alumni throughout the Caribbean archipelago who are interested in, or know people who are interested in, continuing their academic journeys.  However, the programs are open to all civil and corporate professionals throughout the diaspora.”