H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) celebrates a milestone this year, marking ten years of accreditation while looking ahead to the reaffirmation of that status in 2028. Photo: VINO/File

Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports and proud alumna of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) emphasised Government’s vital role as both primary funder and strategic partner of the college. Photo: HLSCC

H. Lavity Stoutt Community College has officially launched its My Part: Role to Reaffirmation campaign —an initiative designed to highlight the collective responsibility of stakeholders in sustaining institutional excellence —during the 2025 Convocation Day. Photo: HLSCC

To commemorate the occasion, the College officially launched its My Part: Role to Reaffirmation campaign —an initiative designed to highlight the collective responsibility of stakeholders in sustaining institutional excellence —during the 2025 Convocation Day.

According to a press release from HLSCC, the campaign, symbolised by the image of a puzzle, illustrated how each group—Board of Governors, Senior Administrators, Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni, and External Partners—plays an essential role in completing the picture of accreditation readiness.

The launch was inaugurated by Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports and proud alumna of HLSCC. In her remarks, she emphasised Government’s vital role as both primary funder and strategic partner of the College.

Gov’t’s support sustains HLSCC- Hon de Castro

Drawing the first puzzle piece, “Resource Contribution and Institutional Support,” Hon de Castro underscored how Government sustains the College through direct budget allocations, capital development, policy alignment, and infrastructure support.

“For HLSCC, no external partner is more central than the Government of the Virgin Islands,” she said, noting that reaffirmation requires demonstrating strong and reliable resource support. “This partnership anchors the College in stability and ensures its alignment with the broader goals of national development.”

In a dual role, the Minister also represented alumni, pulling the piece titled “Public Image and Advocacy.” She reflected on how HLSCC graduates embody the institution’s mission and values, serving as ambassadors across workplaces, communities, and leadership roles.

“Alumni are living testaments of HLSCC’s excellence,” Hon de Castro said. “Their stories of success inspire new generations, and their advocacy strengthens the College’s reputation locally and abroad.”

Accreditors, she noted, view alumni impact as evidence that an institution produces graduates who contribute positively to society and uphold professional standards—key measures of credibility in the reaffirmation process.

The My Part campaign is set to run through the entire self-study process, culminating with the MSCHE reaffirmation visit in Fall 2027. New puzzle pieces will be drawn by representatives of stakeholder groups at various college and community events, spotlighting their indispensable contributions to accreditation.