UVI Launches Center for Student Success

Students attend the launch of UVI’s Center for Student for Success

CSS Executive Director Dr. Eustace Esdaille

Students packed the main conference room in UVI's Administration and Conference Center on St. Thomas for the launch of the University's Center for Student Success (CSS) on Thursday, Jan. 12. The center's mission is to foster a social and academic environment that stimulates UVI students to take full responsibility for their learning and to persist toward graduation in a timely manner. A similar launch of the CSS effort on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix is slated for Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Pastor Reginald Perry

CSS Executive Director Dr. Eustace Esdaille said students were "challenged to embrace all the opportunities that the University, the new center and CATS (UVI's Campus Advising Services) have to offer." That message was also shared by keynote speaker Pastor Reginald Perry, of the Victorious Believers Ministries on St. Croix. Pastor Perry stressed that despite the obstacles that life throws that "at the end, with persistence, there is success."

UVI sophomore, pre-med major Shaniqua Ostalaza spoke about her experience with the new center. Tamisha Liburd, Miss Caribbean U.S., offered a musical presentation.

The Center for Student Success will work with all other units and service providers - especially Student Affairs and Financial Aid - at UVI to ensure that students are challenged to attain academic, personal and professional success.

In addition to the executive director, the center staff includes Andrea Dorsey as interim administrative assistant and two program specialists on each campus. Program specialists on St. Croix are Sherrayn Garcia and David Capriola. St. Thomas is served by program specialists Jacinthe Proctor and Kaeche Liburd. UVI's CATS center is under the direction of Dr. Angela McGhee. For more information, contact the CSS Office on St. Thomas at (340) 693-1583 or David Capriola on St. Croix at (340) 692-4156. The CSS office is located in Room 204 of the Sports & Fitness Center on St. Thomas. On St. Croix visit Evans Center Room 723.