‘UVI is my Launch Pad’ – Presidential Scholar Trevincia Browne Shares Her Growth at UVI

For Trevincia Browne, an accounting major from Saint Kitts & Nevis, attending the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) was much more than just an academic experience, as it enabled her to discover strengths within herself that she had not explored before.

“I used to be more reserved and soft-spoken and often stayed within my comfort zone. But when I came to UVI, I found myself stepping into spaces I never imagined,” said Browne, adding, “I had the opportunity to speak in front of large crowds, which is something I have never done before and that experience helped me grow in confidence. I was also selected as the invocation speaker for the class of 2026, which I’m truly honored by. I always say that UVI really showed me my true potential.”

Despite once being more reserved, her experience at UVI has been quite the opposite, as she has grown into a passionate leader within the UVI community.

“Because of all my experiences here, I’ve now grown a passion for leadership. To go from staying within my comfort zone to now embracing leadership and public speaking –- that’s amazing! and it’s something that I’m really proud of.”

In October of 2024, Browne became the entrepreneurial committee chairperson for the Student Government Association at UVI. In her role, she led a team of eight students and organized the Pathway to Success Entrepreneurial Forum, which she says is one of her “proudest moments.”

“I brought entrepreneurs from St. Thomas to UVI, and they gave students, both those who already have businesses and those who aspire to have businesses, insights on how to successfully launch and sustain their businesses. When I look back, I'm still very proud of this accomplishment because that was where my leadership skills really shined through, and in that moment, I became aware of my strong leadership abilities,” Browne says.

She also attributed her newfound love for leadership to this event, saying, “That experience made me fall in love with leadership as well because I also realized that leadership is not just about telling people what to do, it is about creating real impact and making a positive difference in the lives of those that you serve.”

Along with her experience in the SGA, Browne is also UVI’s student representative on the Artificial Intelligence Ad-Hoc Committee and a Presidential Scholar. Being a President Scholar is Browne’s “highest achievement,” and has provided her with opportunities to represent the university in high-level spaces as well as gain hands-on experience in her field of study.

“I worked with the internal auditor last semester, which gave me valuable exposure to auditing. I also worked with the Chief Financial Officer, which provided insight to the financial side of operations,” she said, adding that “UVI strengthened my leadership skills and provided a strong foundation for my career goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant. I like to say that UVI is my launch pad.”

Adding to her long list of accomplishments, Browne will be graduating Magna Cum

Laude, an honor bestowed on graduates with a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.74. After graduation, she will attend the University of Miami to pursue a Master of Science in Accountancy.


Looking back on her time at UVI, the word she chose to describe her experience is “transformative.” Browne also added, “I went from staying within my comfort zone to stepping into opportunities that challenged me and helped me grow, and that opened the doors for so many lasting opportunities. One thing I’ve learned is to take full advantage of every opportunity, even those that push you outside of your comfort zone, because the experiences that challenge you the most are often the ones that help you grow the most.”


Spending the last two years at UVI has allowed Browne to step out of her comfort zone and embrace opportunities that were new to her. As she moves on from UVI, she leaves behind a lasting impact -- just as the University has left on her.

‘Unforgettable’ – Former SGA President Zeidan Bass Reflects on an Incredible 3 Years at UVI

Zeidan Bass

For Zeidan Bass, a Computer Science major from Saint Kitts, choosing to attend the University of the Virgin Islands in 2023 to pursue his higher education was a no-brainer. Following in the footsteps of his brother and his cousins, he felt as though he was “following a family tradition.”

Being an international student from Saint Kitts, Bass said that UVI was the perfect place to prepare him for life on the mainland. “If I came straight from Saint Kitts to the mainland, it’s much more fast-paced. The adjustment here was easy. As much as it’s a U.S. territory, the one thing you never lose is the Caribbean uniqueness,” said Bass.

While many students find the transition to be challenging – particularly those coming from abroad – Bass says he had a “head start. After earning an associate degree at a community college, he found the academic transition seamless.

The one aspect that took him a minute to adjust to, however, was the social transition.

“Social life – that part was a bit challenging. That’s the first time I left home,” says Bass. "For the first three months of the semester, I ate by myself, attended events by myself, and I had no friends. It wasn’t until later on in the semester that I immersed myself in the community. The people here were never mean-- it just took some adjusting.”

Today, Bass admits that might surprise those who know him as he’s a “social butterfly” and a highly engaged campus leader.

In August 2024, he was elected President of the Student Government Association at UVI after serving as the Vice President for the Student Leadership Council since January of the same year. As the SGA president, Bass represented the student body on a national scale, stepping far out of his comfort zone.

“I would say my interpersonal skills are what I’ve improved the most at UVI, especially with my leadership positions,” he said. "I was forced to talk to people and to practice, and the more you practice, the better you get. I had to become comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

Bass went on to describe his experience as the SGA President as “the greatest time of my life.”


“From a networking standpoint, I sat in rooms with a lot of big names, which helps a lot on a professional level,” he said. “But the biggest thing was the impact that I had on student life. We were able to host events that enhanced the student experience. Being able to say that I helped students enjoy their time on campus was the best part.”

As he’s preparing to graduate and looking onwards past college, Bass noted that these leadership opportunities have prepared him well for life beyond UVI. He greatly encourages students to take advantage of these opportunities, as they’ll have an impact far beyond their college careers.


“I was able to meet people from different cultures and different backgrounds. Those opportunities alone gave me the exposure I needed,” he says. "Take advantage of the opportunities --don’t just sit around and go to class.”

He also emphasized the value of a real-world experience.

"Serving in the SGA prepares you much better for life in the workforce than a 4.0 GPA,” he notes. “It puts you into positions where you have to solve real-world problems.”

After graduation, Bass plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Cyber Security. While he may end up in the workforce in the interim, his ultimate goal is to attend Georgia Tech.

When asked what one word he would use to describe his experience at UVI, he said, “unforgettable,” adding, “you can’t compare it to any other HBCU… we’re the only HBCU in the Caribbean for a reason.” As he closes this chapter, it’s very clear that Bass leaves UVI with lasting memories – and a strong foundation for continued success.