Today we pause to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contribution of the many dedicated members of staff whose work sustains the daily life and functioning of The Mico University College. We are observing Ancillary Staff Day with the greatest respect, because our ancillary staff form the quiet but indispensable backbone of our institution.

“Our ancillary staff form the quiet but indispensable backbone of our institution.”

Supporting Teaching, Learning, and Campus Life

Through their commitment, diligence, and care, our classrooms, lecture theatres, and conference rooms remain ready for learning. On special occasions such as the upcoming Mico Week celebrations, our spaces remain welcoming, and our operations as a world-class centre of learning and research continue smoothly.

“Through their commitment, diligence, and care, our classrooms, lecture theatres, and conference rooms remain ready for learning.”

The Work Behind the Scenes

We deeply appreciate the facilities management, security, maintenance, groundskeeping, sanitation, and other essential services that help to ensure that the academic and operational missions of the institution can flourish. Colleagues, your work is often carried out behind the scenes, but its impact is felt everywhere across the campus community. Through your dedication, you help to make the excellence, order, and spirit that define The Mico possible.

“Your work is often carried out behind the scenes, but its impact is felt everywhere across the campus community.”

A Message of Gratitude

Therefore, on behalf of the Board of Management, the administration, and the entire Miconian family, I extend sincere gratitude for the professionalism and pride that you bring to your work each day.

Celebrating Our Community

As an institution approaching two centuries of service to Jamaica and the region, we recognise that our continued strength depends on every member of our community, and today we celebrate you. We fully appreciate the vital role you play in sustaining the legacy and future of our noble institution, and we share our best wishes with you on this Ancillary Staff Day.

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In today’s higher-education landscape, effective branding, targeted recruitment, strategic partnerships, and disciplined communication are no longer peripheral activities. They are central to institutional success. The decision to strengthen the Marketing & Business Development Department reflects a clear understanding that these functions must operate not merely as support services, but as drivers of visibility, relevance, and growth across the institution.

The expansion builds on the solid foundation laid by the department’s continuing members, whose institutional knowledge has been critical in grounding this transition. Their contributions have supported access, development, recruitment, and investment initiatives that have advanced The Mico University College’s mission. Importantly, this team has welcomed the addition of new professionals whose expertise strengthens the department’s capacity to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.

The Expanded Team

The newly expanded department brings together a diverse range of skills essential to advancing the University College’s strategic objectives. The team includes:

• Ms. Erica Bent, Marketing and Business Development Manager
• Ms. Shyan Mitchell, Recruitment Officer
• Ms. Malaika Sterling, Marketing Officer
• Mrs. Yvonne Young-Wallace, Projects Officer – Scholarships & Alumni Affairs
• Ms. Rachel Forrest, Projects Officer – Business Development and Marketing
• Mr. Deon Orrett Montague, Communication and Public Relations Officer
• Mr. Andrew Edwards, Media and Technology Specialist
• Mr. Edward Massias, Graphics Editor

Collectively, this team integrates strategy, recruitment, project development, communications, digital engagement, and creative production — capabilities that are increasingly essential to institutional advancement in the modern university context.

A Clear Institutional Mandate

The department has been charged with a clear and purposeful mandate: to elevate The Mico’s brand, secure new and diversified income streams, and focus the attention of the wider community on the institution’s strategic aims. This charge underscores both the seriousness of the task before the team and the expectations attached to this expanded structure.

Through this investment, The Mico University College is strengthening its institutional capacity and coherence. The expanded department is expected to work collaboratively across the College to enhance public presence, deepen stakeholder engagement, and contribute meaningfully to long-term sustainability and strategic growth.

As this work unfolds, members of the Mico community are encouraged to engage with the department, share ideas, and collaborate on initiatives that support both the institution’s historic mission and its future direction.

Join the Legacy | Mico 190
Celebrating 190 years of excellence, leadership, and service to Jamaica and beyond.

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Kingston, Jamaica — The Mico University College is honoured to recognize The Honourable Steadman Fuller, CD, JP, Custos Rotulorum of Kingston, for his distinguished service to education, youth development, entrepreneurship, and public life.

A proud alumnus of The Mico Teachers’ College, Mr. Fuller exemplifies the institution’s enduring tradition of leadership grounded in service. Appointed Custos Rotulorum of Kingston in 2010, he has served with distinction as Chief Magistrate of the parish, advancing justice, civic responsibility, and community development. His exemplary public record has also included several appointments as Acting Governor-General of Jamaica, reflecting the high level of national trust placed in his judgement, integrity, and leadership.

“Lasting national transformation begins with the intentional moral and civic formation of the next generation.”

— The Honourable Steadman Fuller, CD, JP

Commitment to Youth Development

Central to Mr. Fuller’s public service is a sustained commitment to youth development, most notably through mentorship programmes with inner-city youth. Through these initiatives, he provides guidance in discipline, character formation, civic responsibility, and life skills—responding directly to the social challenges confronting young men across urban communities. This work reflects his conviction that lasting national transformation begins with the intentional moral and civic formation of the next generation.

That commitment to youth and education is further reflected in his longstanding service on several school boards, where he has contributed to governance, policy oversight, and institutional development. In these roles, Mr. Fuller has consistently advocated for strong leadership, accountability, and equitable access to quality education, reinforcing the essential link between effective governance and student success.

Leadership in the Education and Book Industry

Mr. Fuller’s public life is complemented by a distinguished career in Jamaica’s book and education sector. He began his professional journey in 1968, including during his years as a student at The Mico. Now Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kingston Bookshop Limited, he has guided the organization’s growth into Jamaica’s largest book selling enterprise, with multiple retail locations and a regional agency network representing leading international publishers.

His professional contributions have remained closely aligned with national educational priorities. Mr. Fuller has worked closely with the Ministry of Education on major initiatives, including the coordination of secondary school textbook distribution under the national book rental system. Through scholarships, bursaries, internships, and institutional support, he has consistently expanded access to education, including sustained engagement with The Mico University College.

Awards and Honours

A founding member and past president of the Book Industry Association of Jamaica (BIAJ), Mr. Fuller has received several national and professional honours. These include The Mico University College Alumni Association’s Gold Medal Award and the BIAJ Trail Blazer Award. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Huddersfield in the United Kingdom.

Honorary Degree

In recognition of a life of service reflecting the values of leadership, mentorship, and national development, The Mico University College will confer upon The Honourable Steadman Fuller, CD, JP, the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education in Leadership (EdD).

Join the Legacy | Mico 190
Celebrating 190 years of excellence, leadership, and service to Jamaica and beyond.

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In this edition, we continue our exploration of the distinct yet complementary roles of Institutional Research (IR) and Academic Research (AR). By deepening our understanding of these areas, we strengthen the foundation on which informed decision-making and academic growth are built.

This issue is made possible through the ongoing collaboration of Mrs. McFarquhar and Ms. Amori, whose contributions help bring clarity and relevance to these important conversations.

Research Highlights: ITER Scholars Earn International Recognition

The Institute for Technological and Educational Research (ITER) has opened the new academic year on a high note, with members of its research community being recognized for outstanding contributions on the global stage.

At the 4th International Conference on Green Sustainable Technology and Management (ICGSTM 2025), held on July 16, 2025, two Miconians distinguished themselves among an international field of presenters. Dr. Lawrence Grant and Mr. Fabian Miller were each awarded Best Oral Presenter in their respective tracks — Education & Liberal Arts (Dr. Grant) and Health & Life Science (Mr. Miller). Their achievements underscore the quality and competitiveness of Mico research in diverse disciplines.

Further extending the impact of our research, Mrs. Shellon Samuels-White and Mr. Miller celebrated the publication of their work in Volume 7 of Akkon Schriftenreihe, “Future Minds in Global Health – The International Young Researchers’ Symposium on Global Health 2024.” This significant volume was launched at the World Health Summit in Berlin, further highlighting the international reach and influence of scholarship emerging from The Mico.

These successes serve not only as personal milestones for the individuals recognized but also as collective achievements for the institution. They reflect the dedication of our researchers and the commitment of ITER to advancing scholarship that resonates globally.

As the Office of Quality Assurance continues to emphasize, every research effort — whether large or small — contributes to institutional growth and effectiveness. ITER’s recent achievements remind us that sustained curiosity, rigorous inquiry, and collaborative effort position The Mico University College as a leader in knowledge creation and dissemination.

As always, we value your thoughts. We invite your feedback and input at oqa@themico.edu.jm.

The post The latest issue of ARETÉ, the OQA Newsletter appeared first on The Mico Online.

Talk Di Tings! is open to anyone with a story to tell, inviting real-life narratives (up to six minutes in length) to be submitted in writing by September 15, 2025.

And the rewards are worth it:

• 1st Place: $30,000 JMD
• 2nd Place: $20,000 JMD
• 3rd Place: $15,000 JMD

The winners will also gain automatic entry as semi-finalists in the annual What’s Your Story, Jamaica? showdown – where the top prize soars to $400,000 JMD (USD $2,500).

Want to throw your hat in the ring?
Read more here: Talk Di Tings! brings truth, talent, and big prizes to the mic
Follow @jaikupoetry on Facebook and Instagram
Or email jaikupoetry@gmail.com

Thanks to the support of Miconian Scholarship Donor Mr. Canute Lawrence, this initiative gives aspiring writers and storytellers the chance to share their truth, showcase their talent, and compete for life-changing prizes.

So, what’s your story? Talk Di Tings!

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In addition to orientation activities, the day will feature a special services fair, giving students, staff, and guests access to a wide range of resources, including:

• Passport renewal services (via PICA’s online adult renewal system)
• Account openings and loan opportunities from First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union (FHC)
• Special offers, discounts, and sampling opportunities from partner businesses
• Networking opportunities to connect with companies offering support for student success, like the Students’ Loan Bureau.

All staff are invited to join in welcoming the new cohort and engaging with the sponsors and service providers who will be on site.

Passport Renewal Requirements

Participants wishing to complete their PICA Online Adult Passport Renewal must bring the following:

• Recent passport-size photo (digital or physical, taken within the last 6 months)
• Birth Certificate
• Expired Passport (passport number must begin with the letter “A”)
• Debit or credit card for online payment (no cash accepted)
• A valid email address

Note: Only adult passports issued on or after September 3, 2001, are eligible for online processing.

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The session opened with greetings and reflection led by Dr. Kay Dunkley, Team Lead for the Office of Quality Assurance, and Rev. Bosworth Mullings, University Chaplain. The highlight of the evening was a heartfelt welcome by President Dr. Asburn Pinnock, who reminded students of the institution’s proud legacy and their role in shaping the future of Jamaica.

Dr. Pinnock congratulated the new Miconians on choosing The Mico, describing it as “the oldest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and arguably the most accomplished and legendary institution across the Caribbean”. He urged students to embrace resilience, responsibility, and versatility as guiding principles, and encouraged them to see themselves as “legends in the making.”

The programme also included remarks from Registrar Mrs. Mercedes Deane, a comprehensive registration overview by Mrs. Phoebe Brown-Francis, and financial guidance from Mr. Devon Gardner and Mrs. Yvonne Young-Wallace. Families and supporters also received tips on how best to encourage their new Miconians, in a session led by Mrs. Denese Walker-McCarthy.

The evening closed with a lively Q&A session, giving students the opportunity to clarify important matters as they prepare to begin their academic journey.

As The Mico prepares to celebrate its 190th anniversary, students were invited to participate in the “Join the Legacy” campaign, which challenges them to think bigger, contribute meaningfully, and add their own chapter to the institution’s long history.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ORIENTATION AND READ DR. PINNOCK’S PRESENTATION BELOW!

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The Mico University College has announced a change to the start of classes for Semester 1 of the 2025–2026 academic year.

In a bulleting released by President Dr. Asburn Pinnock, the University College confirmed that the adjustment was made in recognition of the upcoming 2025 General Election and to ensure that staff, students, and contracted personnel assisting with the electoral process are able to fully participate.

As a result, all classes are now scheduled to begin on Monday, September 8, 2025.

Registration dates previously outlined in Bulletin #76 remain unchanged. However, modifications to the orientation schedule will be communicated shortly by the respective Divisions.

Dr. Pinnock reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting the civic responsibilities of its community, emphasizing the importance of creating space for Miconians to exercise their right to vote.

The post The Mico’s Presidential Bulleting 077 – Semester One Changes appeared first on The Mico Online.

At the center of this journey is you, the student body. Your needs, your challenges, your goals, and your growth are what shape my mandate. Leadership, for me, is not about being in front. It is about standing with, listening intently, acting with integrity, and working tirelessly to ensure that every student is supported and empowered.

My philosophy, guided by Philippians 2:3–4, reminds me daily that leadership must never be self-serving. It must be rooted in humility, driven by purpose, and focused on the well-being of others. This is the standard I will uphold: to serve not from a selfish ambition, but from a genuine commitment to the student experience.

In the months ahead, my focus will be on advancing initiatives that strengthen academic support, promote inclusivity, and recognize the full spectrum of student excellence. I will work to ensure that no student feels overlooked, unheard, or unsupported.

Whether through academic representation, student development opportunities, or platforms that celebrate resilience and achievement, my efforts will be designed to reflect your voice and improve your experience.

You deserve leadership that is visible, reliable, and accountable. I intend to be exactly that. I am here to represent you with clarity, to advocate on behalf of you with confidence, and to build systems that benefit not just the few, but the entire student body.

Thank you for trusting me with this responsibility. I look forward to serving you with focus, empathy, and commitment.

Cavell Williams
Vice President of Academic Affairs and Special Projects/Senior Lady (2025-2026)

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