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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International Women’s Day invites us to celebrate the achievements of women, and to reflect on the profound ways in which their leadership, resilience, and generosity continue to shape our societies. This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” reminds us that when individuals invest their talents and compassion in the advancement of others, the benefits extend far beyond the present moment and across generations.

In Jamaica, women have long been central to the progress of our nation. As mothers, educators, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals. They have strengthened families, nurtured communities, and helped guide national development.

Today we see Jamaican women excelling across fields that were once largely closed to them – from law and business to science, governance, and public service – demonstrating every day that the advancement of women is inseparable from the advancement of the nation itself.

At The Mico, the principle of “Give to Gain” is deeply rooted in our history. Nearly two centuries ago, Sir Thomas Buxton used funds from the Lady Mico Trust to support the education and upliftment of those whose lives had been shaped by slavery. Our University College is the only surviving teacher-training institution of that legacy, and it continues to prepare many of the large number of women who sustain Jamaica’s classrooms. 

Today the overwhelming majority of teachers in our schools are women, especially at the early childhood and primary levels. Their dedication can help to shape the intellectual, moral, and civic foundations of our children. Through their patience, creativity, and leadership, they prepare each new generation for the responsibilities of citizenship and nation-building.

At The Mico University College, we witness this commitment daily in the women who serve as lecturers, administrators, students, and staff. Their work reflects the enduring spirit of this institution, and our guiding charge to “Do It With Thy Might.” By giving of their knowledge, leadership, and compassion, women educators continue to transform lives and strengthen communities.

So as we mark International Women’s Day and reflect on its message, let us honour the women whose contributions sustain our families, our institution, and the nation. We proudly celebrate their leadership and reaffirm our commitment to empowering the next generation of educators who will carry this remarkable legacy forward.

The post Give to Gain: Women, Education and the Mico Legacy appeared first on The Mico Online.

National Recovery and the Role of Education

A nation is most tested in moments of disruption, not in times of stability. Across Jamaica, the effects of Hurricane Melissa and recent economic pressures have likely forced difficult national choices. The Government’s 2026/27 budget reflects this – prioritising reconstruction, strengthening public systems, and introducing new revenue measures to finance recovery. For many citizens and businesses, these tax adjustments will represent struggle, real sacrifice or even hardship, and only long-term investments in education and the development of the labourforce can produce the revenue tomorrow that we are struggling to find today.

Education is the sector that creates the most positive impact on citizens’ lives. Teacher education in particular has a great multiplier effect, both pre-service and in-service teachers are valuable and necessary to improving Jamaica’s production capacity. Even in times of austerity, policy makers should continue to prioritize investments even in the professional development of current teachers. Spending more to educate and train the people will signal a genuine commitment to rebuilding stronger and more resilient national foundations, building the workforce and not just infrastructure.

While roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure can be restored easily through financial investment and effective management, the rebuilding of a nation ultimately depends on its people. Human capital is developed through education, and it remains the most enduring foundation of national progress.

Teacher Education at the Centre of National Development

Recovery must therefore go beyond replacing what was lost; it must strengthen the systems that sustain growth. Teacher education lies at the centre of that effort. For generations, educators have shaped the nation’s capacity to adapt, innovate, and thrive – often quietly, yet always with profound impact.

I am reminded of young teachers who travel miles each day to serve rural communities, including districts across Westmoreland and other western parishes still recovering from hurricane damage. With limited resources but unwavering dedication, they transform classrooms into spaces of hope and possibility for affected students. Their work affirms a simple truth: resilient societies are built by resilient educators.

The Mico’s Historic Role in Nation Building

For nearly two centuries, The Mico has stood at the forefront of preparing teachers of integrity and purpose. Its origins reflect a similar moment of national transformation. Following emancipation, funding to prepare educators to teach newly freed Jamaicans came through beneficent gifts from the Lady Mico Trust and abolitionist advocates, at a time when public financing for education was not yet a state priority. From its inception, the institution was grounded in a belief that education empowers people and advances nation-building.

Today, Jamaica again stands at a pivotal moment. Our economy was damaged by a natural disaster, and recovery spending exceeds J$60 billion for reconstruction, with additional costly resilience measures. This underscores the scale of the national challenge, and policy makers have promised a sustainable development plan for recovery. However sustainable development is more about people than physical infrastructure. Sustainability will depend on a skilled, adaptable, and forward-thinking population. If the nation is to withstand future economic, environmental, or social shocks, the preparation of educators must therefore be a national priority.

Impact of Mico Graduates and the Wider Education Sector

The transformative power of education is evident in the work of some of The Mico’s graduates, from Governor Generals Sir Howard Cook and Sir Clifford Campbell, to the many who lead schools in underserved communities, introduce innovative teaching practices, and mentor generations of students who themselves become agents of national development. These individual contributions collectively shape the country’s progress and empowers families and communities. This year The Mico recognized the Hon Steadman Fuller and Dr. Claudette Morris with honorary degrees for exactly this type of nation building. They join other educators who have shaped industries outside of education, like Dr. Glen Christian in the health sector and Dr. Sylvester Tulloch in the housing and construction sector.

So in response to evolving national needs, the mission of institutions like The Mico remains clear: to prepare graduates who transform education, advance research, and contribute meaningfully to development. In other examples, like at At Sam Sharpe teachers college, they have been expanding the undergraduate programme and last year the historic Moneague Teachers’ College was accredited by the University Council of Jamaica, after expanding their own programmes to meet the needs of the community, even offering hospitality and tourism management.

Strategic Focus and Institutional Development

The desire to drive first work academic excellence, operational standards, and student success, is a vision that guides the strategic focus of institutions like ours. The Mico continues to expand research capacity, strengthen technological innovation in teaching and learning, broaden global engagement, and support student success and community development. These are priorities that align with Jamaica’s wider development agenda.

Mico Week 2026 and National Resilience

It is in fact within this context that The Mico University College will observe Mico Week 2026 (from March 23 to 27), reflecting on how higher education supports national resilience. The week will open with a General Assembly that underscores leadership and institutional responsibility. A Research Spotlight will highlight the importance of evidence-based solutions and knowledge production in shaping national policy and competitiveness. Even the annual Sports Day celebrations will focus on holistic development this year, and will recognise that resilience, teamwork, and wellbeing are essential to both personal and national progress.

Mico Week will also recognise intellectual leadership through Student Awards and the Glen Owen Lecture, that both reaffirm the university college’s commitment to academic excellence and critical inquiry. The week will culminate with Founders’ Day, a Thanksgiving Service, and an Alumni Luncheon – all reminders that education is sustained through partnership, legacy, and shared responsibility.

Partnerships, Innovation, and Global Engagement

It is important to note that this spirit of collaboration extends beyond these observances. Later this May, the institution will host its Innovation With and For a Purpose Summit, engaging global partners such as University of Miami and Amazon Web Services, alongside public and private sector leaders advancing research and knowledge-driven growth.

Together, these initiatives illustrate the ecosystem required for national advancement – leadership, research, innovation, human development, and partnerships, all working in concert.

Fiscal Responsibility and the Role of Higher Education

The Government’s fiscal programme calls for efficiency, innovation, and long-term growth within constrained resources. The introduction of new taxes – despite earlier commitments to avoid them – must reflect the magnitude of the recovery challenge. Such measures demand accountability not only from citizens, but from national institutions entrusted with public confidence. Partnerships must be forged to help ensure that higher education institutions are expanding access through technology-enabled learning, strengthening research output, and equipping graduates with the skills required for a rapidly changing economy.

At The Mico University College, we had already embraced these responsibilities by expanding online delivery, enhancing quality assurance systems, and developing programmes responsive to national and global needs.

Teacher Education as Essential National Infrastructure

These are real investments in our student teachers, and strategic investment in teacher education will have the greatest multiplier effect, producing measurable returns. Well-prepared educators improve learning outcomes, strengthen workforce readiness, promote social mobility, and foster civic responsibility. These outcomes contribute directly to economic growth, social cohesion, and national resilience. Teacher education, therefore, is not merely a sectoral concern; it is essential national infrastructure. Teachers impact almost every individual.

A Call to Action for National Recovery

As Jamaica continues its recovery journey, the question is not whether we can afford to invest in education, but whether we can afford not to. A nation’s capacity to adapt and prosper depends fundamentally on the quality of its educators and the strength of its institutions.

For Miconians, Mico Week is both a celebration and call to action. It affirms our historic responsibility while pointing toward our future – an agile institution, responsive to national needs, technologically driven, and committed to research, innovation, and community development.

The rebuilding of Jamaica will take many forms. Yet lasting recovery will depend on the knowledge, values, and capabilities of our people. By strengthening teacher education we can impact every student in Jamaica, we will be investing in the nation’s most enduring resource – and securing the successful future that we have a duty to build together, with Thy might.

The post Rebuilding Jamaica Through Education: Why Teacher Preparation Must Lead National Recovery appeared first on The Mico Online.

Over a professional career spanning more than three decades, Dr. Morris has made meaningful contributions across education, public-sector governance, infrastructure development, and diaspora engagement. Her work reflects a consistent commitment to innovation, institutional strengthening, and human capacity building, all in service of national and community development.

From Classroom to Leadership

Dr. Morris’s professional journey began in the classrooms of Jamaica, where she served as a primary school teacher. During this period, she earned recognition for fostering positive learning environments, implementing differentiated instructional strategies, and strengthening partnerships between schools and families. These formative experiences established a strong educational foundation and instilled in her a lifelong commitment to mentorship, training, and institutional development.

Building on this foundation, Dr. Morris transitioned into leadership roles within strategic services and information technology. By combining professional experience with advanced graduate training, she designed and implemented data-driven solutions that enhanced capital management, governance frameworks, and operational efficiency within large public-sector agencies. Her work has had a lasting impact on infrastructure and housing systems in the United States, demonstrating the critical role of technology-informed public service in advancing national development goals.

Commitment to Servant Leadership and Community Development

A deep commitment to servant leadership remains central to Dr. Morris’s professional ethos. She has gained extensive experience in the management and oversight of government and international funding through sustained engagement with organisations such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the Canadian International Development Agency, the Caribbean Development Bank, and several United States federal agencies. Through this work, she has supported community organisations and leaders in securing resources that improve quality of life and promote sustainable development.

Her professional achievements are complemented by a strong record of philanthropy and community service. Dr. Morris has supported scholarships and contributed to the renovation of educational facilities, expanding access and opportunity for students and educators alike. Her commitment to service also led her to membership in Rotary International, reflecting her dedication to the principle of Service Above Self and her advocacy for human rights.

Leadership within the Diaspora and Service to The Mico

Dr. Morris has demonstrated sustained leadership within the Jamaican diaspora, helping to organise summits and international symposiums focused on educational awareness and advancement for the benefit of schools and communities both locally and internationally. Her commitment to The Mico University College has been unwavering. She has served as President of the New York Alumni Chapter and currently holds the role of Diaspora Ambassador to the University College’s Alumni Association.

Honorary Recognition

In recognition of her exemplary service, Dr. Morris has received several honours, including the New York Authority Women in Government Award. This year, in acknowledgment of her distinguished contributions to education, leadership, and community development, The Mico University College will confer upon Claudette M. Morris 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 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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The Mico University College invites the entire Mico family—students, alumni, faculty, staff, partners, and friends – to join us online for the live broadcast of our Carol Service & Gift Drive, streaming today at 5:00 p.m. from The Great Lawn.

This beloved annual celebration brings together worship, music, and the spirit of giving as we support children in Western Jamaica who continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Melissa.

Whether you are on campus or watching from across the world, we invite you to be part of this uplifting evening of unity, generosity, and Christmas joy.

Click Here to Join the Livestream

https://www.youtube.com/live/9X-GJtwIzx8?si=PS-TwSuHc3VXVN5X

A Night of Music, Faith & Giving

Tonight’s programme features inspiring musical ministry from:

• The Mico University College Choir
• Nexus Choir
• Immaculate Conception Choir
• The Mico Steel Pan Society

Viewers are encouraged to participate in the spirit of giving by donating or contributing a toy for children affected in Western Jamaica.

A Message from President Dr. Asburn Pinnock

In his Christmas message, President Pinnock reflects on The Mico’s enduring heritage and mission of service, reminding us that the Carol Service “is an opportunity to affirm that The Mico is not merely an institution of learning, but a beacon of service.”

He calls on the Miconian community to walk with a tablet, laptop, or a toy as “a symbol of hope and kindness” for children who have faced months of disruption following Hurricane Melissa.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Venue: The Great Lawn (Streaming Online via Zoom)
Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/9X-GJtwIzx8?si=PS-TwSuHc3VXVN5X
Website: www.themico.edu.jm

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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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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!

The post TALK DI TINGS! – Send Real Stories Now! appeared first on The Mico Online.

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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According to The Mico’s Sports Manager, Mr. Dwight Holland, “Romario demonstrated exceptional talent and determination, securing 3rd place and adding to Jamaica’s strong medal tally at the Games”.

For Mr. Holland, the achievement reflects both Romario’s personal dedication and the resilience of Jamaica’s nation’s athletes competing on the international stage.

Romario Stewart secured bronze at the Junior Pan-Am Games and is pursuing a Bachelor of Education in P.E. and Sports at The Mico

Currently advancing to his third year of study in the Department of Physical Education and Sports, Romario is pursuing a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education and Sports at The Mico. His success serves as a shining example of excellence both in academics and athletics, embodying The Mico’s proud tradition of producing leaders, achievers, and role models.

The Mico’s President, Dr. Asburn Pinnock has commended Romario for his hard work, discipline, and sportsmanship. Dr. Pinnock looks forward to witnessing even greater accomplishments as the athlete continues his journey.

Miconians have been celebrating Romario Stewart for his most recent performance. The young champ is a true ambassador of The Mico University College and of Jamaica!

Visit https://themicoonline.com/start to begin your journey now.

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