The
University of the Virgin Islands has appointed Melvin McBean as the
Student Activities supervisor on the St. Thomas campus effective
Feb. 14. McBean comes to UVI from the Wall Street Institute in
Hamburg Germany, where he served as an English as a Second Language
instructor. He has an extensive background in higher education
student affairs. Before working in Germany, McBean worked at the
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) as the associate director
and director of orientation in the Office of Student Development
Services. Prior to UIC, McBean worked at the University of Portland
where he served as assistant director of the Office of Student
Activities.
At UVI McBean will be responsible for providing non-academic social, educational and cultural activities and programs to the student body; advising the Student Government Association (SGA) and campus clubs and organizations; supervising campus mail; and helping to organize new student orientation activities.
"I'm looking to make my mark in efficiency and student involvement," McBean said. He plans to increase the quality and quantity of student programs, streamline the SGA, improve communication among the student body and improve the service of campus mail. McBean said that one of his biggest challenges will be to get more students involved in on-campus activities - a challenge that he plans to tackle after closer observation of various student activities.
McBean, a 1988 graduate of the Charlotte Amalie High School,
returned to the territory for the opportunity to make a difference
in the Student Affairs area at UVI and to be close to family. "I
love it," McBean said of his short time at UVI. "It feels like
home."
"We are excited about having Mr. McBean join us because he comes to
us with a great amount of experience," said Dr. Doris Battiste,
UVI's associate campus administrator for Student Affairs. "He has
worked at several universities where he has done exceptionally
well," Dr. Battiste said. McBean brings dynamic energy and new
ideas in student development and student leadership to Student
Affairs, she added. "He adds value to our staff."
At UIC McBean planned, implemented, and evaluated the university's New Student and Parent Orientation Program and Family Weekend; recruited, selected, trained, supervised and evaluated 45 paraprofessionals and graduate assistants; facilitated the Student Affairs UIC Experience Team Meetings; and facilitated the Orientation Task Force Committee - bringing together many campus units to provide a comprehensive first-year experience for new students and their parents.
McBean holds a master's degree in Higher Education Administration and a bachelor's degree in Communication/English both from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also holds memberships in many organizations including, the American College Personnel Association, the National Orientation Directors Association and the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators.