By, President Dr. Safiya George
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
As we close this fall semester, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous momentum building across our University. From welcoming new and returning students at Orientation and Convocation, to engaging in meaningful dialogue during our Board of Trustees and Staff Council meetings, this semester has been marked by progress rooted in purpose.
We have celebrated scholarship and innovation through our Research Symposium and strengthened civic engagement through UVI on the Hill in Washington, D.C. Our students also flexed their leadership muscle at the
Thurgood Marshall Leadership Institute, proudly representing UVI on a national stage. We honored tradition and community during our spirited Homecoming.
Our momentum is also visible in the work taking place across our research centers, where faculty, staff, and students are helping solve real challenges in our community. And right here on campus, our student interns are contributing meaningfully to UVI’s daily operations, gaining hands-on experience and shaping the University they call home.
Each of these steps—large or small—brings us closer to our vision of becoming a Destination University. Every action matters. Every conversation matters. Every improvement matters. As Margaret Mead reminded us, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.” Here at UVI, we see those small groups forming every day—students leading, faculty inspiring, staff innovating, and partners investing in our future.
Thank you for your dedication, your creativity, and your belief in what is possible here. Together, we are building momentum—steadily, intentionally, and with shared purpose.
With Care,
Dr. Safiya George
President, University of the Virgin Islands
