William Steger, Jr.: Thriving on the Courts and Off

William Steger, Jr.

At the University of the Virgin Islands, William Steger, Jr., Guard for the UVI men’s basketball team, found not only a new home but also a pathway to pursue his passion for basketball and entrepreneurship.

Steger’s love for the game was ignited at an early age when his father introduced him to basketball and nurtured his talent.

“My dad liked basketball, so he put the ball in my hands, and I just fell in love with it. So ever since I was young, I've excelled in anything athletically,” Steger recalls.

Throughout high school in Virginia, Steger excelled on the basketball court, earning accolades such as First Team All-State and Player of the Year in his team’s conference. His impressive skills caught the attention of college recruiters, leading to a scholarship offer from Saint Augustine University in Raleigh, North Carolina.

After transferring to a junior college back home in Virginia, Steger received a scholarship from UVI, where he has since thrived both academically and athletically.

"I chose UVI because I felt like it was the best option for me at the time. It allowed me to pursue my dream of playing basketball and get an education,” he shares, reflecting on the pivotal decision that led him to trade the bustling streets of Virginia for the tranquil beauty of St. Thomas.

“At first, I will say it was a little bit of a culture shock,” he admits. “There were things I was not used to in the islands, such as driving on a different side of the road and getting acclimated with the culture. I was not used to people telling me ‘Good morning’ and ‘Good night.’”


Although Steger quickly found his footing at UVI and readily embraced his new surroundings, he found himself missing home frequently.


“Being so far away from home, sometimes you get a little homesick, but I just pushed through it. Basketball helped a lot because I wasn't really focused on being so far away from home,” he said.


Directing his energy and drive towards his basketball career and fostering relationships with his fellow Buccaneers helped Steger to manage his homesickness. As they traveled around the country together, the team developed brotherly bonds.


“​​We did a lot of traveling, which helped us bond together more. It made us more of a cohesive unit,” said Steger, who described the team as a closely knit family united by a deep drive to win.






The camaraderie from his teammates, coaching staff, UVI faculty, and community helped Steger thrive on and off the court, making his experience at UVI one filled with belonging and unity.


Ending his final season by winning four of the last six games, Steger is set to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Communications. He is excited about embarking on the next chapter of his journey, which includes returning to UVI to pursue a master's degree while also launching an entrepreneurial venture to resell shoes and clothes for an affordable price.

Tamia Grant: Reaching for the Stars at UVI

 Tamia Grant always gravitated toward science and mathematics in her studies and focused on advanced Placement and honors studies while attending high school in St. Croix. Originally from St. Kitts and Nevis, the double major (chemistry and physics) always dreamed of studying biology and becoming an obstetrician and never imagined having a different set of goals.

“I wanted to be an obstetrician, but in 11th grade after Hurricane Irma, I went into a deep state of depression. I lost motivation to do anything, and it skewed my view on college and my future,” said Grant. “When it came time to apply to colleges and explore future endeavors, I just wasn't motivated.”

Recognizing the challenges her daughter was facing and not wanting her to give up on her dream, Grant’s mother delivered an ultimatum: she could either stay at home with her in St. Croix and find a job or go to college. Grant chose to attend UVI, after applying as part of her high school’s requirement, and ultimately embarked on a journey that would lead to profound growth, exploration, and a new sense of community.

In her freshman year, Grant immersed herself in pre-med courses after choosing biology as her field of study. During her first semester at UVI, she took a chemistry class that made a deep impression and opened a path for a new direction in her life.

“I started as a biology major. I was doing pre-med, but I found a love of chemistry when I took my first chemistry class at UVI, so I switched my major,” said Grant.

Grant started to dive into her experiences at UVI, joining the National Society of Black Physicists on campus.

“I got involved with the physics program because I was in the National Society of Black Physicists on campus, and we were doing a community outreach session where we went up to Etelman Observatory and looked at the stars to discuss the physics concepts with various individuals,” Grant recalls. “And I was like, you know what? I want to be a part of things like this. So, I added physics to my degree program.”

While things were progressing positively on the academic front, the end of a significant personal relationship in 2021 left Grant feeling lost and in the throes of depression.

“To distract myself from dwelling on the breakup and on being depressed, I started exploring extracurricular activities for the first time,” she recollects.

Becoming deeply involved in a variety of academic and leadership activities provided fulfillment and the sense of belonging she had been seeking.

Grant’s interest in astronomy stemmed from her fascination with the night sky and shifted towards engineering as a result of her involvement in a research project with NASA.

Grant worked with her mentor, professor of physics and astronomy, Dr. David C. Morris, on a NASA project involving a high-altitude balloon carrying a satellite payload. The project aimed to detect gamma radiation from the Crab Nebula supernova, a massive star that exploded hundreds of years ago and continues to emit X-rays.

Grant defines her time on the project as an extraordinary experience that sparked her interest in design engineering.

“It's been a pretty amazing experience for me,” she said. “I want to shout out the physics department in general for all the opportunities that they gave me. They were a major part of my decision to go into engineering.”

During her time at the University, Grant was elected President of the Student Government Association, served as Miss UVI, joined the National Society of Black Physicists, and was President of the Society of Women Engineers.

Grant is grateful for her experiences at UVI, especially the professors, mentors, and staff around campus such as cafe workers and custodial staff members who helped her to develop a spirit of resilience and purpose, and allowed her to thrive academically, personally, and socially.

“I would not have grown and been as comfortable with myself and as sure about what I want out of life if I did not go to UVI,” she declared.

Celestial Dazle: A Journey through Education and Growth

Celestial Dazle

The University of the Virgin Islands serves as a gateway to education, growth, and empowerment for students like Celestial Dazle. Born and raised on St. Thomas, Dazle’s academic career was fueled by her determination and drive for personal fulfillment both mentally and physically. Her journey to majoring in Business Management with a minor in Communications at UVI has been marked by maintaining a delicate balance between personal aspirations and self-empowerment.

Dazle grew up in a household that was affected by mental health challenges.

“From a young age, I dealt with parents who struggled with mental health issues. My father has been diagnosed with schizophrenia as well as bipolar disorder. The severity of his mental health prevented him from working, and that really impacted my life,” she recalls.

Despite feeling immensely loved by her parents, the environment put a strain on Dazle’s own mental health and affected her self-esteem. Being a firsthand witness to the impacts of stigma and adversity, Dazle found her proverbial light at the end of the tunnel when she started attending the UVI and came upon an opportunity that would change her forever.

In the summer of 2022, Dazle was offered the opportunity to participate in the Washington D.C. program as an undergraduate intern for two months. She worked remotely, attended her courses, and managed to find free time during the week to explore the Washington Center and the District of Columbia.

“One of the most impactful moments [of my career at UVI] was going to the Washington Center for one of the internship programs, because during that time I was facing a lot of challenges with my mental health,” Dazle shared.

It was during these moments of exploration that Dazle was able to witness different perspectives from diverse communities within the district. Specifically, she obtained a great deal of knowledge after seeing how people interacted outside of the Virgin Islands.

After the program, Dazle found herself embracing more programs, responsibilities, and opportunities that would ultimately help expand her college and leadership experiences. Most important, they broadened her point of view and instilled a newfound confidence in her.

The following summer, Dazle participated with the UVI Passport to the World program and had the opportunity to go to Egypt, marking her first international travel experience.

The program offered a vivid, eye-opening experience of Egypt's culture and landscapes; participants explored Cairo, visited temples, walked through the pyramids, cruised the Nile River, and interacted with locals.

Nadege Barber: It Takes a Village

Nadege Barber

Native to Dominica, the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Nadege Barber moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2019, shortly before beginning her college journey. She recalls her upbringing with great fondness, crediting many of her early achievements to the unwavering support of her mother, brother, and village.

“I believe my upbringing was one of the best. I was mainly raised by my mother. I love my culture and how community-based we are. I know nearly everyone from my village, and it has really developed me into the person that I want to be, and I consider myself to be,” said Barber.


Encouraged to dream big and aim high, shortly after moving to the Virgin Islands she decided to attend the University of the Virgin Islands after being spurred by a positive influence, Jana Austrie, a staff member at the University, who led her to what now considers her second home.


“She basically sold the school to me. She also committed to assisting me to sign up for classes,” Barber recalled.


In her home village, Barber had been considered a student with a great deal of potential. However, as her journey of self-discovery began and she took steps toward academic and personal growth, she realized that she did not know what having potential truly meant.


“What does it mean to have potential? How do I tap into that extra potential I may have? Is there a possibility of reaching that potential? How do I go about doing that? It was always confusing,” she wondered.


Despite the initial hardships and moments of doubt in her early college career, Barber found solace amid adversity. Lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces and foreign landscapes, Barber had discovered a newfound village at UVI that would lead her to discover the untapped potential within her.


Barber recalls several people who provided the guidance that shaped her academic and personal evolution.

 


Dr. Sharon Honore, associate professor in the UVI Communication Unit, was the first to push Barber out of her comfort zone.


“I never was someone who would share an opportunity that I was going to attend. I always, if I did something, and I succeeded, then I would probably share it with family and friends but never in a public space,” Barber said. “So, she pushed me to get accustomed to doing so with the aim of inspiring others to achieve these different opportunities or at least take advantage of the different opportunities including the study exchange program with Denmark.”


The support from the University did not stop there. Barber recollects the many faculty members, professors, and students who contributed to her self-discovery and academic success including the staff from career services, staff from the business services, and residence hall faculty members.

“It doesn't stop at one department. It doesn't stop at one person. It doesn't stop at one professor. It's all of them. Anybody who I encountered, I'm grateful for their support, especially through the highs and rough states. I believe they carried me through,” she added.

Barber enjoyed a successful career at UVI. She participated in the study exchange program in Denmark, was UVI’s National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ) president, attended the NABJ Convention in Las Vegas and served as an ambassador and influencer for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

Serving as a liaison between the organization and students at other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) through her four years at UVI, Barber addressed her fears and questions and ultimately pursued opportunities that fostered her growth. Along the way, she discovered a reservoir of resilience and potential within herself thanks to the support and mentorship from her UVI village.

UVI Student Spotlight- Elijah Salem and Jhamori Sargeant

                                            Elijah Salem (left) and Jhamori Sargeant (right)

Students, Elijah Salem and Jhamori Sargeant, of the North Dorms brought victory to the Invaders. After rapping four song selections, Salem and Sargeant beat the crowd leaving an impression on the audience’s ears. 

After two nights of practice, the duo's performance gained lots of head nods and cheers. Salem, a senior studying Communications, performed with Sargeant, a junior studying Marine Biology, showed their XFactor the night of Oct. 7, at the OEK Dining Hall on St. Thomas.  

Every year, the battle of the dorms takes place, revealing the creativity and dancing ability of residents. This year, the goal was to enhance student engagement and thus a talent show was presented. In the past, stepping and mini marching band performances bent the necks of eager students. North Dorms emerged victorious with the 2023 title, much to the delight of attendees.  

Balancing school and work, each half of the duo records music to transform it into a lifestyle. There is no doubt that the effort was poured into their performances. Both students have shown active participation from their first year and continue to shed light to their peers.  

Salem stated that he loved the energy and feedback they got from the crowd. “Songs that took days and hours to work on feel like everything is paying off once you get on stage and feel the same energy reciprocated from the crowd.” 

Sargeant went on to say that he wants his peers to become motivated from [their] performance and take every opportunity to showcase their talents. "My favorite part of performing is the crowd's reaction when I'm finished. Any negative thought or doubts I had at the beginning seem to disappear at that moment."   

“We practiced two nights before the show, working on the choreography of our performance and song transitions. We both enjoyed it, but it definitely was an event that needed [more acts]. It ended before it could really get started, but I had fun nonetheless.” says Salem. 

Sargeant wants to emphasize to students that “If you stay in your room, the campus will never have anything to do.” 

“I want more students to know that UVI offers more than just an education for those looking to earn a college degree. They also offer opportunities to help others work towards their strengths while being a good center for students to work on their weaknesses,” says Salem. “I plan to have a global takeover with my musical talents. I do not know how right now, but I do know [if] I keep finding discoveries like the talent show to put my name out there, my effort and songs will be recognized. This is just the beginning.”

Sargeant loves collaborating with other artists to create new sounds or ideas he would not have created alone. “It does not stop here; music has been a consistent theme in my life from elementary school. Right now, I am working towards my music being heard across the world. Friends and strangers have told me I have what it takes to become a well-known artist, and I too believe it myself.” 

UVI Student Spotlight Features SaVaughna John-Baptiste

"Step Out of Your Comfort Zone --  You'll Never Know the Opportunities You Will Get."

When pre-nursing student SaVaughna John-Baptiste responded to a on-campus job posting for an agronomy research assistant at UVI's Agricultural Experiment Station, she was just looking for a way to earn some extra money. She never expected the experience would change her course of study and put her on a completely different career path.


"I was more comfortable with an office job. I didn't see myself working in the field or testing soil samples in a lab," she explains. Ten months later, SaVaughna has extended her work contract and switched majors to focus on her newfound interest in horticulture. "I really find it interesting and I'm actually learning something," she says about her research work. Her enthusiasm for the field is evident. "Her quickly developing interest and abilities in scientific experiments and scientific thinking is remarkable," says her instructor and research specialist David Hensley. SaVaughna recently participated in UVI's 24th Annual Student Science Research Symposium to present her research about water use efficiency. She hopes to conduct new research and present at a conference in the Dominican Republic next year.


"Before this experience, I had a closed mindset," says SaVaughna. "I wasn't really open to trying new things. But I've learned you have to step out of your comfort zone -- you never know the opportunities you will get." SaVaughna is now considering a career in Horticultural Therapy where she could engage others in gardening and other plant-based activities as a means of therapy and healing. "This career would allow me to combine my interest in horticulture with my desire to help others improve their health."


A St. Croix native, SaVaughna, lives near campus and says she loves spending time at UVI. When not taking classes or working, she enjoys playing pool in the game room and is looking forward to participating in the Student Government Association again this year.

UVI Student Spotlight - Sherritza Peterson

Sherritza Peterson

With a bachelor's degree in psychology from Florida State University, and practical experience as a social worker in St. Maarten, Sherritza Peterson wanted to “better meet the needs of the client population” on the island. “There is so much more that can be done to serve our youth,” she says.

So, she enrolled in a master's degree program in Counseling & Guidance with the University of the Virgin Islands at the St. Martin campus, thanks to a memorandum of understanding between the schools that allows students in St. Maarten to earn a UVI degree. “UVI was my first choice,” says Peterson who visited the St. Thomas campus and found it “warm and friendly.”

Peterson remained on St. Maarten to continue her job at the Student Support Services Division of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, while she attended UVI courses via Zoom. “The program is flexible. My professors and colleagues connected with me well,” she says about distance learning. Peterson earned her master’s degree in 2021, however when she learned that UVI had developed another related master’s program in School Counseling, she decided to enroll in that too. She attained her second master’s degree in May 2023.

“These programs have helped me immensely to apply what I’m learning to my day-to-day work and to provide quality services,” she says, noting coursework on multicultural counseling and professional and ethical issues in counseling were especially useful.

In her professional role, Peterson provides social work and school safety services to many of the government and government-subsidized schools in St. Maarten. She also liaises with external organizations and parents. “I am in the field of my dreams,” she says. “I come to this field as a whole person with love and passion to help support my clients and my community.”

“These programs have helped me immensely to apply what I’m learning to my day-to-day work and to provide quality services” - Sherritza Peterson

Peterson sees today’s young people as “innovative and resilient” and advises them that “mental health support can come in different forms such as a coach or teacher – all of that contributes to your wellbeing.” She encourages the youth to make use of school care teams including school counselors and get engaged in different activities and social clubs to become exposed to different people and to know that hope is not lost. She also believes that support from the community is necessary to help youth thrive.

Peterson is thankful to all the UVI faculty and staff who played a pivotal role in her education including Dr. Karen Brown, dean of the School of Education; Dr. Xuri Allen, assistant professor of Education and program director MASC; Marva Sam, UVI@USM liaison; and Olga Mussington-Service, manager Student Support Services Division.

In March 2023, Peterson was recognized for her outstanding achievements with the Scholarly and Productive Graduate Student Award.