About UVI
Mission Statement
The University of the Virgin Islands is a learner-centered institution dedicated to the success of its students and committed to enhancing the lives of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean through excellent teaching, innovative research, and responsive community service.
Vision Statement
The University of the Virgin Islands will be an exceptional U.S. institution of higher education in the Caribbean dedicated to student success, committed to excellence, and pledged to enhancing the social and economic transformation of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Who We Are
UVI is the USVI's only public, baccalaureate diverse institution of higher education. It is a Land Grant institution and a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The two campuses of UVI have a combined enrollment of approximately 2,500 students. The institution offers
47 associate, bachelor, and masters' degrees across its
five schools and colleges. The University is
accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and its professional schools are either accredited or have begun the process of seeking accreditation from specialized accrediting agencies.
Click to learn more about UVI... Economic Impact and Relevance
The University continues to make investments in the economic development of the Territory by maintaining a workforce of more than 500 persons, attracting visitors who spend their money in the local economy, and presently constructing facilities with an aggregate value of $20 million. The University has a strong research and public service program and annually receives millions of dollars in grants for research and development projects.
The University is home to various centers and institutes, including the Eastern Caribbean Center which conducts the decennial census for the Territory and serves as a hub for Territorial geospatial data, the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies which conducts numerous underwater and near-shore research, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, the Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, the Small Business Development Center, the Water Resources Research Institute, the Caribbean Exploratory Research Center, the Research Center for the Arts, the Sports and Fitness Center, the Wellness Center, the Caribbean Green Technology Center, the Center for the Study of Spirituality and Professionalism, and the UVI Institute of Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness.
Additionally, the University's Land Grant programs - the Agricultural Experimental Experimental Station and the Cooperative Extension Services - all have a significant impact on the lives of the people of the Territory and the wider Caribbean region. The Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research is also a vital contributor to the economic well-being of the Territory. Annually, the UVI Sports and Fitness Center serves as host for the renowned Paradise Jam Basketball Tournament that attracts numerous NCAA Division 1 teams and supporters to the Territory. The University's ability to host a number of other events throughout the year as well as engage in continuous physical improvements all attest to the measure of impact that UVI has on the USVI territory.
Strategic Integrative Goal
To become a cornerstone of academic excellence, operational effectiveness, and economic stimulus for the Virgin Islands the the wider Caribbean.
In fulfilling this integrative goal, we anticipate the following outcomes:
- To be a ‘university of place’ where lives are nurtured, talents developed, potentials groomed, ethical standards practiced, where students are given the opportunity to succeed and University personnel the opportunity to improve
- To receive the Carnegie-designated elective community engagement classification by becoming more connected to the community, using the resources of the University to better respond to the needs of the community, and impacting the future of the territory
- To receive the Baldridge award for educational excellence through the quality of our programs and the corresponding links between strategic planning, resource allocation, organizational effectiveness, and performance assessment
- To become a destination-university in the Caribbean, known for high quality programs and performance, excellent service, uncompromised integrity, fiscal responsibility, informed decision-making, performance assessment, and emotional and spiritual well-being of students, faculty, staff, and administrators
Our History (Honoring the Past)
The University of the Virgin Islands recently celebrated fifty years of higher education contributions to the Virgin Islands, the wider Caribbean, and the world. The anniversary year, 2012, was replete with celebrations and activities that honored the past and laid a foundation for future endeavors. Stakeholders and patrons are all very proud of the history of UVI and the enormous impact that it has had on its students, alumni, and the community.
UVI was chartered on March 16, 1962, as the College of the Virgin Islands — a publicly funded, coeducational, liberal arts institution — by Act No. 862 of the Fourth Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to that law, the institution’s primary objective is to provide for “...the stimulation and utilization of the intellectual resources of the people of the Virgin Islands and the development of a center of higher learning whereby and wherefrom the benefits of culture and education may be extended throughout the Virgin Islands.”
The first permanent campus opened on St. Thomas in July 1963, on 175 acres donated by the federal government. The first Board of Trustees took office in August 1963. In 1964, the college founded a second campus on St. Croix, on 130 acres also donated by the federal government. In 1972, the College of the Virgin Islands was awarded Land-Grant status by the U.S. Congress. This allowed for the establishment of an Agricultural Experiment Station and a Cooperative Extension Service.
Since then, many other programs and services have been added. These include the marine and environmental studies program, and the sports and athletics program. In 1986, the College of the Virgin Islands was renamed the University of the Virgin Islands to reflect the growth and diversification of its academic curricula, community and regional services, and research programs. That same year, the United States Congress named UVI one of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU); it holds the distinction of being the only HBCU outside of the continental United States.
The current president of the University, Dr. David Hall, its fifth president, began his tenure on August 1, 2009. Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster, who served as the fourth president of the University of the Virgin Islands from 2002 to 2009, succeeded Dr. Orville Kean who served from 1990. Dr. Kean succeeded Dr. Arthur A. Richards, who became president in 1980. Dr. Richards’ predecessor, Dr. Lawrence C. Wanlass was appointed the first president of the College of the Virgin Islands in 1963 and held that office until 1980.
Our Legacy (For What We Are Known)
UVI is generally known as “the place to work and grow.” It offers strong and dynamic leadership within a nurturing environment. The University promotes commitment to its seven management values of high quality performance, service excellence, informed decision-making, performance assessment, emotional and spiritual well-being, fiscal responsibility, and uncompromised integrity. UVI is proud to have two Rhodes Scholars and a Pulitzer Prize winner among its alumni. It is seen as an incubator of talent that transforms those who walk its halls to the next step in their academic pursuits and careers. Through programs like the Male Initiative, Junior University and other summer bridge programs, there has been a measurable increase in the number of male students enrolled at the University and the annual Man-up Conference and Junior University programs are well received by the community. The University’s academic and community programs are respected as many of its students excel to academic excellence in a variety of professions and leadership positions in the Territory and the Eastern Caribbean. Its prominent alumni-base includes a premier, lawyers, doctors, scientists, teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and a wide variety of professionals.
Transformational Return on Investment (What Excites Us)
As a result of its investment in the six identified areas of focus – academic quality and excellence, student development and success, organizational and human development, modern and safe environments, and financial sustainability and growth – the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) aspires to the following anticipated outcomes:
- improved quality and excellence of our undergraduate and graduate programs
- improved Faculty and staff development and compensation
- increased retention and graduation rates
- growth in our endowments for educational support and mission-focused investments
- increased use of Opportunities for Meaningful Community and Civic Engagement and Global Interaction
- expanded Relevance of our Centers and Institutes as Places of Economic Stimuli
- increased Evidence of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment as a Measure to Further Improve the Learning Business, and Service/Operational Environments
- Enhanced Opportunities for Student Development, Learning, and Success
- Enhanced Infrastructure for Employee Well-being and Student Success
- Improved Allocation of Resources for Maximum University-wide Impact
- Increased opportunities for research (applied, educational, and psychological) and scholarship
Accreditations and Affiliations
The University of the Virgin Islands is
accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The University is also an active member of the
American Association for Higher Education, the
American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the
American Council on Education, the Association of Caribbean Information Systems, the
Association of Caribbean Universities and Research Institutes, the
Association of Governing Boards, the
National Association for Equal Opportunity and the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. UVI is a land-granted institution and the only one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities outside of the continental United States. The University of the Virgin Islands is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, Title IX, Section 504, PL 101-542 educator and employer.
Accessibility & Anti-Discrimination
The University of the Virgin Islands is committed to assuring that its workplace is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment based upon race, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, age (40 and over), marital status, sexual orientation (including gender identity), status as a U.S. veteran (disabled, Vietnam or other), or any other status protected by University policy, local or federal law.
The University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job in which they have been hired, or for which they have applied.
Click to learn more about UVI's accessibility services and information...
Drug & Alcohol Policy
The University of the Virgin Islands seeks to encourage and sustain an academic environment that respects individual freedom and promotes the health, safety and welfare of all members of its community. UVI does not condone possession, use, or distribution or marijuana, LSD, hallucinogens or narcotics by anyone in any campus facility or on University grounds. Any individual known to possess, use or distribute such drugs is subject to disciplinary action, which could result in suspension, or dismissal, possible arrest, imprisonment and/or a fine, according to Virgin Islands and federal laws.
Click to learn more.Sexual Misconduct Policy
The University is committed to creating and maintaining a community in which students, faculty and staff can work together in an atmosphere free of all forms of assault, sexual harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Every member of the UVI community should be aware that such behavior is prohibited by both federal and local law, and by University policy. Click to learn more.
Core Values
- Students First
- Learning and Scholarship
- Excellence
- Teamwork
- Collegiality and Shared Governance
- Inclusiveness of Ideas
- Principled Leadership
- Supporting Our Community
- Effective Use of Technology
- Equitable Reward System
Management Values
- High Performing Institution with a Focus on Quality
- Service Oriented
- Uncompromised Integrity
- Informed Decision Making
- Fiscal Responsibility
- Performance Assessment
- Emotional and Spiritual Health
Strategic Plan
