Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicosIslands, February 14, 2024 – Three new vice presidents have been on-boarded at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College as the institution continues upgrading its services with the end goal of transitioning to a University.
Guided by the 2022 review of the College, the transition in leadership structure was welcomed by the government and college officials.
“Traditionally TCICC operated under a leadership structure that remained largely unchanged since its establishment 29 years ago. It meant a lack of distributed leadership and potential over-reliance on a single individual, ”said Dr Candice Williams, TCICC President.
She maintained that the new executive team was well-placed to spearhead TCICC’s ongoing transition. The new Vice Presidents are:
Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris, Vice President of Academic Vocational and Student Services;
Dr. Shaun McKay, Vice President of Administration and Operation; and
Deranica Allen Williams, Vice President of Finance;
“This is part of a phased approach to transform the college into a university paving the way to an even brighter future– providing an excellent education requires an excellent organization with excellent leadership,” emphasized Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education.
Each employee was afforded an opportunity to speak during the event.
Stapleton-Harris, who holds numerous International Organization for Standardization, ISO certifications, and degrees in higher education leadership and policy said she, was humbled by the trust placed in her.
“I am firmly committed to advancing TCICC and its rebranding efforts to position it as the institution of first choice for education. We will endeavour to provide [students] with a rich and inclusive academic environment–” she continued “I am strongly committed to working with faculty staff and industry providers to ensure our students are equipped with the knowledge skills and equipment they need to succeed in their chosen career.”
McKay who is trained in Community College Leadership, and Business Management gave a message of unity and advancement.
“We will embark upon demanding directions up on each of us as vice presidents,” he said. “Through education comes economic empowerment, which means something different to everyone, but in the Turks and Caicos I want that to mean that we are the number one choice globally, regionally, and internationally.”
Allen-Williams told the gathered stakeholders and media she was committed to the prudent stewardship of resources. Focusing on compliance, maintenance, and improvement of finances.
“My goal is to enhance the financial stability of the college while implementing judicious fiscal practices that enable us to advance while remaining financially sustainable.”
The new positions, revealed via a press conference on January 30th, were legalised by an early 2024 amendment to the ordinance governing the Institution.
It moves the college away from the principal to deputy principal chain of leadership. Instead, the President will be supported by a total of four vice presidents.
The TCICC is also attempting to get accredited, “A significant achievement in our pursuit of excellence is the college’s approval to commence for accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC),” Taylor revealed.
The Minister maintained this, along with ISO certification, was a crucial step in maintaining the quality of Education at TCICC.
