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HLSCC to offer 4-year & online degrees soon- Dr Richard W. Georges

- HLSCC’s expansion is part of its founder’s vision
President of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) said the insitution is making provisions to begin offering four-year degrees as well as some programmes fully online. Photo: Facebook
The late Hon H. Lavity Stoutt envisioned the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College as becoming a full residential four-year institution. Photo: GIS
The late Hon H. Lavity Stoutt envisioned the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College as becoming a full residential four-year institution. Photo: GIS
The HLSCC celebrated its 32nd graduation ceremony on June 12, 2025, with 145 graduates. Photo: VINO
The HLSCC celebrated its 32nd graduation ceremony on June 12, 2025, with 145 graduates. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) is looking to offer four-year degrees, as well as some programmes fully online, as the institution continues its 35th anniversary celebrations this year.

This was disclosed by Dr Richard W. Georges, President of HLSCC, during Virgin Islands Voice on June 11, 2025. 

H. Lavity Stoutt’s vision was bigger

According to Dr Georges, the vision for the HLSCC by its founder, the late Hon H. Lavity Stoutt, was bigger than the current college in Paraquita Bay. 

“OBMI donated a concept design for the HLSCC Sports and Recreation Centre, and why that is important is because it is part of a wider aspiration.”

Dr Georges revealed that upon taking up leadership of the college and having access to its files, documents and even history, he discovered a hand-drawn plan for the college, done in about 1989, by architect Mr John Osborne in collaboration with Honourable Stoutt. 

“On that drawing, the main building was there, the library, all those things were there…but also on that drawing, there were dorms, there were recreation centres, tennis courts, swimming pools…I think we often think that Hon Lavity Stoutt’s vision stopped at the main building, and it didn’t, it really envisioned a full residential four-year institution in the full realisation of what HLSCC is and should become.”

The future of HLSCC

In keeping with the dream of its founders, the board of the HLSCC has been endorsed by the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports and are now in the process of making requests, preparing documents and curriculum to submit to Middle States Commission of Higher Education to be able to offer four-year degrees, Dr Georges stated. 

The first will be a Bachelor’s of Education degree.

It was during the Fifth Sitting of The Second Session of The Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on June 3, 2025, that Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) disclosed that she had given the college the green light to work towards a bachelor's degree programme.

"As we look ahead, I have given the College a mandate to explore the feasibility of seeking a four-year degree, granting status in strategic areas. This includes beginning the necessary groundwork for accreditation of a bachelor's degree in education, where there is a well-documented national need," Hon de Castro stated.

Meanwhile, Dr Georges said substantive change requests are also being made to offer some fully online degrees this year. 

HLSCC celebrated its 32nd graduation ceremony on June 12, 2025, with 145 graduates.

8 Responses to “HLSCC to offer 4-year & online degrees soon- Dr Richard W. Georges ”

  • support (16/06/2025, 08:40) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    If this comes through lots of people will be able to get a degree at their convenient.
  • annudda2cents (16/06/2025, 09:22) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    This would be a game changer. Fully support this.
  • Dr. Georges (16/06/2025, 09:34) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am very impressed with this young President. So many positive things have happened to improve the College during his tenure. He is young, intelligent, and forward thinking. If I dare say, a visionary carrying forward the aborted vision. Congratulations, Dr. Georges!
    • credit (16/06/2025, 12:43) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Reality check: This was the vision from inception. It’s been 20+ years since I left. Back then, it was the same conversation. Hopefully it comes to fruition within 3-5 years if not sooner.

      What the BVI is famous for, is a litany of speeches, promises and more ‘rhetoric’. And credit for those who are actually DOING the work, is seldom if ever recognized.
  • Bachelor Degree (16/06/2025, 10:12) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Great plan but is it worth it??? The whole purpose of college education is obtain the credentials to become eligible for high pay employment. So is a Bachelor of Education from HLSCC going to provide that for student seeking to teach in the BVI? What about outside the BVI in the real world??
    • Well Well (16/06/2025, 14:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      that's why they are seeking accreditation.. so you will only have to do minor courses or whatever certification/ license other states may require
    • Narrow thinking (16/06/2025, 15:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes, it is worth it a thousand times over. This is the same type of naysaying HL Stoutt had to put up with when he disclosed his plans for a college. He was even laughed at. 35 years later, and we are getting the same type of negative thinking. Why can't we ever get on board and support a good cause. If HL had given in to those negative people 35 years ago, where would we be? Where there is no vision, the people perish. I suppose only once in a while a visionary comes along. I salute you Dr. Georges! You are our next visionary to take the college to the next level and beyond.
  • HLSU (16/06/2025, 16:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So it’ll be a University?


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