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Dr Katherine A. Smith appointed Director of Culture

- tasked with presenting reform strategy for modernisation of department
Dr Katherine A. Smith, a former lecturer at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), has been appointed Director in the Department of Culture effective December 2, 2019. Photo: Facebook
It was on November 2, 2019 that Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Sports, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had noted that the new Director of Culture will be tasked with ensuring Virgin Islands culture and traditions are taught in schools. Photo: VINO/File
It was on November 2, 2019 that Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Sports, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had noted that the new Director of Culture will be tasked with ensuring Virgin Islands culture and traditions are taught in schools. Photo: VINO/File
As the Director of Culture, Dr Katherine A. Smith’s responsibilities include leading the cultural initiatives of the Territory, as well as managing the department’s operations. Photo: Provided/File
As the Director of Culture, Dr Katherine A. Smith’s responsibilities include leading the cultural initiatives of the Territory, as well as managing the department’s operations. Photo: Provided/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Dr Katherine A. Smith, a former lecturer at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), has been appointed Director in the Department of Culture effective December 2, 2019.

The appointment was made by His Excellency the Governor, Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert, in accordance with section 92 of the Virgin Islands Constitution, and in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission, a press release from the Department of Information and Public Affairs on November 29, 2019 stated.

Reform strategy

It said Dr Smith will manage the department’s annual budget and develop and present a reform strategy for the modernisation of the department in line with successful industry models, to streamline and improve its internal processes.

Dr Smith, the daughter of former Premier Dr D. Orlando Smith, OBE, has a Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate in History from Queen’s University and Howard University respectively, and has addressed various events around the region related to history, heritage and culture.

She was the Acting Director in Virgin Islands Studies, and Professor in the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Communications at HLSCC from 2008 to 2018.

Additional responsibilities

As the Director of Culture, Dr Smith’s responsibilities also include leading the cultural initiatives of the Territory, as well as managing the department’s operations. She will recommend changes to policies, legislation and service delivery that would enhance the functioning of the department; and coordinate activities with other departments and outside agencies as necessary in order to contribute to the effective management of the department.

It was on November 2, 2019 that Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Sports, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had noted that a new Director of Culture was soon to be named.

Dr Wheatley had also said one of the first things he will ask the new Director of Culture to do is to review the school curriculum, “and to review the school activities in combination with my abled, Chief Education Officer, to make sure that our culture, our heritage, and our traditions are being taught in our institutions.”

Meanwhile, Ms Anne A. Lennard holds the position of Deputy Director of Culture.

23 Responses to “Dr Katherine A. Smith appointed Director of Culture”

  • ann (01/12/2019, 11:03) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
    Showada taking care of his friends
  • yard fowl (01/12/2019, 11:37) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    Can't even catch fire on a coal pot.
  • Real Simple (01/12/2019, 11:37) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply
    Finally a Director of Culture with academic training in the field! I'm looking forward to some real progress in the Territory in this area. Priority number one should be a real Culture Policy.
  • student (01/12/2019, 11:47) Like (41) Dislike (0) Reply
    Actually she is very passionate about our culture... she is an awesome pick ...
    • agreed (01/12/2019, 16:24) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
      She has a wealth of knowledge about the history of the Virgin Islands. She is an excellent pick. Very deserving
  • Reader (01/12/2019, 12:06) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations to you Ms. Smith . No doubt with your wealth of experience and academic qualifications, you will exceed the key objectives of this new role.
  • concern (01/12/2019, 12:35) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice, she have the papers✔️ Just get with the older folks to get their ideas and she good. New broom sweep clean but Old broom knows the corners.
  • uh um (01/12/2019, 15:28) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    She wasn't friendly with the -------of the----- a while back?
  • Headless Chicken (01/12/2019, 15:32) Like (8) Dislike (25) Reply
    Do you think Dr Smith would have hired Andrew Fahie daughter? VIP to soft
    • Me Too (01/12/2019, 16:20) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      That's why he is unconventional
    • Thunk (02/12/2019, 01:50) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      If Andrew Fahie daughter showed up with these qualifications and only she alone offered these quality qualifications,DrSmith would have hired Andrew Fahie dtr. But that has and will never be the case so nothing to ponder.
  • Smit Dem (01/12/2019, 16:06) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    She 's got the papers,the degrees,the pedigree and the passion necessary for serious cultural overhaul and implementation.
    Everything points to a good appointment choice.
    Best of luck Ms Smith.
  • musa (01/12/2019, 19:45) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Great news a hope no more peas soup with corn
  • Ques (02/12/2019, 10:20) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    How much does Ms. Smith know about BVI culture? We do not want game changers, we want people who understand what our culture is all about. Let us wait and see what happens.
    • Styler (02/12/2019, 11:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ques... I agree with you and if she get that crazy Hill girl she in trouble if it’s not that girl way then it can’t work she crazy
    • ****** (02/12/2019, 14:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Have you ever had a conversation with her?
    • Ans (02/12/2019, 15:01) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Willing to bet she knows more than you do.
      BVI culture is her passion.She has made its preservation her life's purpose.
  • Thankful (03/12/2019, 06:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everything I know about VI culture and history, I owe to her. Thankful for your passion and your hardwork.
  • Lily Ann (03/12/2019, 13:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yall must STOP IT ... no matter who the young lady family is, the fact is, SHE HAS THE QUALIFICATION and the SKILLSET to get the Job done!!!! This typeof thinking shows exactly why only one set of people does get Jobs, and why the foreign last names dont get certain Jobs ...


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