TCI News
TCI Community College celebrates its 24th Annual Graduation during its Silver Anniversary
#Providenciales, 7 December, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The story began 25 years ago; the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College was once just a dream and today the College celebrates a quarter of a century. Many people would have been instrumental in seeing the evolution of the College to where it is today.
Mrs. Pamela Taylor, the first registered student of the College was the Guest Speaker. She quoted from Martin Luther King, “The function of education is to teach one to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” She encouraged the students to remember God in the decisions that they would make for the future and closed with the scripture from Jeremiah 29:11.
The 24th Annual Commencement Exercise
took place at the Paradise Baptist Church, which saw 95 students being eligible
to graduate in this cycle. There were 20 Bachelor students among the graduates
in the areas of Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and Management and Human
Resource; Hospitality and Tourism Management; Management Information Systems
and Primary Education.
Students graduated from various Associate Degree Programmes: Architectural and
Building Design Technology; Business Studies; Computer and Electrical
Engineering Technology; Computer Services; Culinary Arts; Early Childhood Education;
General Studies (Humanities); General Studies (Science); Hospitality and
Tourism Management; Marine Biology / Biology Minor and Primary Education.
The Faculty of Business Administration captured the Valedictorian and Salutatorian spots for two consecutive years. Ms. Frankira Forbes captured the top spot with Ms. Marjha Nazon following her. In the Associate Degree programme, Ms. Britiania Missick, another Business student, was named Valedictorian and the lone gentleman, Mr. Tyrese Saunders from the Faculty of Architectural and Building Design Technology captured the Salutatorian honour.
Kentavia Saunders and Dewandre Smith were the first Graduates from the Associate Degree Programme in Marine Biology and they have Scuba certification as well. Temiloluwa Olugbanmu became the first student to graduate from the Bachelor of Science programme in Management Information Systems.
Students would have performed well in their various programmes, Faculty Awards were presented at the Annual Graduands Banquet, and those students were:
Tyrese Saunders Associate
Degree in Architectural and Building Design Technology
Britiania Misick Associate Degree in Business
Administration
Deante James Associate Degree in Computer
Studies
Christofer Lugo Associate Degree in Computer
Studies
Nicholas Freites Associate Degree in Computer and
Electrical Engineering
Glunise Gustave Associate Degree in Culinary
Arts
Eleth Davis Associate
Degree in Early Childhood Education
Angelina Astwood Associate
Degree in General Studies (Humanities)
Rashaunda Cooke Associate
Degree in General Studies (Science)
Kayanna Gibson Associate
Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Dewandre Smith Associate
Degree in Marine Biology
Chrissy Stubbs-Williams Associate Degree in Primary
Education
Chinedu Otuonye Associate
Degree In Tourism Management
Frankira Forbes Bachelor
of Science Degree in Business Administration (Finance)
Marjha Nazon Bachelor
of Science Degree in Business Administration (Human
Resource
Mgmt.)
Sandra Nemours Bachelor
of Science Degree in Hospitality Management
Temiloluwa Olugbanmu Bachelor
of Science Degree in Management Information Systems
Alecia Fenelus Bachelor
of Science Degree in Primary Education
President Dr. Hubert Fulford echoed words of thanks. He said, “This is a time of celebration at the TCI Community College. It is a time to reflect on how far the College has come and to look forward to where we are going.” He continued, “Congratulations to those who would have graduated this year from the College and we remember the over 2000 Alumni of this noble institution – those who are impacting every sphere of development in this country.” He said, “The Turks and Caicos Islands is proud of where we have come and we look forward to the University of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Education is everyone’s business and we honour our partners who collaborate with the College. We are in this together and together we will win.
Release: TCI Community College
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
-
-
- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
-
South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
