In October, The Mico University College usually joins the global community to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The month is dedicated to raising awareness, supporting survivors, and promoting life-saving education. This year’s activities will once again bring the Mico family together in a powerful show of solidarity and scholarship.

To bring awareness to Breast Cancer students, faculty, and staff gather on the campus lawns, dressed in vibrant shades of pink for the annual Pink Day and Balloon Release Ceremony, becoming a cherished tradition led by the The Mico Students’ Guild. 

Participants release dozens of pink balloons into the sky, with hands raised and hearts united. Each balloon represents courage, remembrance, and hope for a future free from breast cancer. The event is both a moment of reflection and a call to action for continued advocacy, early detection, and community support.

Today, President of The Mico University College, Dr. Asburn Pinnock, reflected on the importance of the observance, saying:

 “Our pink balloon release is a testament to our collective compassion and our responsibility as educators and nation builders. So it is more than symbolic”. 

He notes that the fight against breast cancer requires awareness, education, and research, and says that,

“At The Mico, we are proud that our academic community is contributing to this critical national and global discourse. Through both activism and scholarship, we stand with survivors and their families, and recommit ourselves to advancing knowledge that can save lives.”

Research Excellence: Mico’s Academic Contribution to the Global Dialogue

Beyond campus activities, Mico’s commitment to breast cancer awareness is also anchored in rigorous scholarship.

One of The Mico’s own, Mr. Fabian G. Miller, is among the co-authors of a seminal research chapter called, “Quality of Life and Well-Being of Breast Cancer Patients” .

The study presents a comprehensive review of the physical, psychological, and social impacts of breast cancer, focusing on how these dimensions shape the lived experiences of patients and survivors. The research highlights critical insights that inform patient care and health education. It draws on global literature and validated quality-of-life instruments, and presented key findings emphasizing:

• Social support networks – including partners, family, friends, and community organizations. These play a decisive role in improving patients’ physical health, emotional well-being, and overall survival outcomes. Social isolation, by contrast, is linked to significantly higher mortality rates.
  
• Physical activity and structured rehabilitation interventions – such as tai chi, yoga, Pilates, and combined aerobic-resistance training. These have measurable benefits in reducing treatment side effects, enhancing vitality, and improving long-term health outcomes for breast cancer patients.
  
• Psychoeducational and psychosocial interventions – including cognitive behavioural therapy. These have been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and pain intensity, improving patients’ capacity to adjust emotionally and socially to post-treatment life.
  
• The study also underscores the need for integrated care models – combining medical treatment with emotional, social, and lifestyle support. These ensure that survivors enjoy the highest possible quality of life during and after treatment.
  

This work is particularly significant for the Caribbean context. While much of the existing literature originates from North America and Europe, Mr. Miller’s contribution helps bridge global research with local realities. He is helping to open space for further studies on breast cancer survivorship and community-based interventions in Jamaica and the wider region.

Awareness Through Action

The annual balloon release at Mico is both a communal gesture of solidarity and a public health reminder: early detection through regular screenings, combined with sustained emotional and community support, remains the most effective defense against breast cancer.

Through research, education, and activism, The Mico continues to embody its motto, “Do it with thy Might.” The University celebrates those who are courageously fighting the disease, honours those who have passed, and stands firmly with survivors and their families.

#MicoCares #BreastCancerAwareness #JoinTheLegacy #PinkDay #ResearchForImpact #MicoGuild #BalloonRelease

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The Mico University College is proudly celebrating the remarkable dedication and scholarship of its faculty and researchers who presented at the International Conference on Green Sustainable Technology and Management (ICGSTM 2025), hosted by INTI International University on July 16, 2025.

In a display of resilience and commitment, the Mico team delivered 10 presentations, ensuring that Jamaica’s perspectives on sustainability and education were represented on the global stage.

Their efforts reflect The Mico’s ongoing mission to advance research that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addresses pressing challenges in education, health, and society.

Presenters and Topics:

• Leroy Fearon – The 2024 Hurricane Season and its Implications for Achieving SDG 13 in the Caribbean
• Denese Walker-McCarthy – A Critical Analysis of an Approach to Teaching Sustainability through a Selected Teacher Education Programme Specialization
• Yvonne Fay A. Jones-Nelson – Reframing Geography Education for Sustainability and Innovation through Jamaica’s National Standards Curriculum (NSC)
• Tom Mboya Amonde – Integrating Sustainability into Mathematics Education: A Framework Concept Paper for Greening the Mathematics Classroom at a Jamaican Teacher Education Institution
• Jody Brown & D. Brown – Assessing the Impact of Sustainability Education on Student Behavior
• Lawrence-Grant, M. – Practicum Re-imagined
• Fabian Miller – An Investigation of the Occurrence of Iron Deficiency and Anaemia Among College Athletes in Jamaica
• Feliciano Thorpe – Cyberpsychology in Jamaica: A Quantitative Assessment
• Bermadee Opal McKenzie-Briscoe – Articulating Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes for Sustainability in a Jamaican Teacher Education Institution: A Participatory Case Study of a STEM Discipline
• Bermadee McKenzie-Briscoe – Investigating some Jamaican Teacher Education Stakeholders’ Understandings and Misunderstandings of Sustainability: Implications for Teaching and Learning

The diversity of topics presented demonstrated The Mico’s wide-ranging research capacity—spanning climate change, curriculum innovation, sustainability in mathematics and teacher education, student health, and digital psychology.

By contributing to the global dialogue on sustainability, The Mico University College reaffirms its role as a leader in educational research and a catalyst for positive change in Jamaica and beyond.

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The Mico University College community proudly congratulated Mrs. Monique Jackson-Reynolds on the publication of her groundbreaking book, STEAM Methodology for 21st Century Educators, now available on Amazon. Jackson-Reynolds is a former ITER Fellow and esteemed member of the Language, Literature, and Literacy Department.

This milestone is the result of two years of dedicated research and innovation, reflecting Mrs. Jackson-Reynolds’ unwavering commitment to advancing teaching and learning. She continues to inspire educators with her emphasis on discovery, creativity, and excellence in education, and is recognized as a respected thought leader and speaker in her field.

Her book offers both insightful analysis and practical strategies for integrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) into classrooms. Written for teachers, tutors, and parents, it provides a holistic framework for leveraging STEAM’s limitless benefits across learning environments.

In her engagements at educational and research events, Mrs. Jackson-Reynolds was often asked not just why STEAM should be adopted, but how. In response, her book presents guiding principles, practical steps, and global case studies that educators can use to bring STEAM to life in their classrooms.

Key highlights of the book include:

• Chapter One: Reflects on the purpose of education, current student needs, and the theoretical frameworks that support student-centered success.
  
• Chapter Two: Explores the origins and limitations of STEM, and the need to incorporate the Arts—Language Arts, Visual Arts, and Performing Arts—anchored by the 4Cs: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. This chapter also highlights successful STEAM initiatives worldwide and details collaborative action research conducted in Jamaica.
  
• Chapter Three: Introduces The STEAM Flexi-Formula, a three-phase, evidence-based methodology shaped by theoretical frameworks such as Social Constructivism (Vygotsky, 1978), Multiple Intelligences (Gardner, 1983), and Cognitive Flexibility (Spiro & Jehng, 1990). Vetted by international education stakeholders and Jamaican teachers, the Flexi-Formula offers a tested roadmap for implementing STEAM in ways that elevate academic achievement and foster innovation.

Feedback from teachers who participated in post-intervention workshops and research seminars revealed that the STEAM Methodology encourages creative approaches to learning. Students are empowered to connect new knowledge with prior experiences, engage in discovery, experimentation, and meta-cognition—ultimately driving innovation.

Mrs. Jackson-Reynolds’ publication is both timely and transformative, aligning with The Mico’s mission of equipping educators with forward-thinking strategies that meet the evolving needs of 21st century learners.

The ITER team and the wider Mico family are celebrating this outstanding achievement and encouraging educators everywhere to explore STEAM Methodology for 21st Century Educators as a valuable tool for enriching teaching practice and student outcomes.

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Mrs. Lyssette Hawthorne-Wilson has earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership (Higher Education), marking a significant milestone in her distinguished career in education. The Mico made the announcement this week, with great pride and excitement.

Dr. Hawthorne-Wilson’s academic journey has been characterized by dedication, innovation, and a passion for advancing the field of education. She has focused on bridging the gap between traditional teaching practices and the evolving demands of 21st-century classrooms.

Notably, her work on transforming educators’ perceptions of artificial intelligence in learning environments has positioned her as a forward-thinking leader ready to shape the future of higher education. Her publication, Bridging the Gap: Transforming Traditional Educators’ Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in 21st Century Classrooms, exemplifies her commitment to equipping educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to integrate emerging technologies into teaching.

Throughout her career, Dr. Hawthorne-Wilson has demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentoring countless educators and contributing to the growth and development of academic institutions. Her attainment of the Doctor of Education reflects both her intellectual rigor and her unwavering dedication to educational excellence.

As Dr. Hawthorne-Wilson embarks on this next chapter, the impact of her work is expected to resonate widely across classrooms, higher education institutions, and professional learning communities. Her achievement serves not only as a testament to her personal dedication but also as an inspiration to educators and students alike.

The Mico community extended heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Lyssette Hawthorne-Wilson on her recent achievement and looks forward to her leadership in shaping the future of education.

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