2024 Cohort of UVI's Certified Public Manager™ program graduates: St. Thomas group (upper photo) and St. Croix group. By. UVI
The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) recently celebrated an important achievement, awarding certificates to 41 graduates of its nationally accredited Certified Public Manager™ (CPM) program.
The ceremonies took place in person on July 23 at UVI’s Albert A. Sheen Campus in St. Croix and on July 24 at the Orville E. Kean Campus in St. Thomas.
The graduates comprised 24 students from the St. Thomas/St. John district and 17 students from the St. Croix district. These individuals, representing the sixth cohort of the CPM program, hailed from various government departments and agencies, reflecting the program’s broad reach and impact.
The events were moderated by Dr. Suzanne Darrow-Magras, Director of the UVI Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL), Dr. Latashia Edwards, CELL Community Engagement Manager, and Dr. Chinue Uecker, CPM Program Manager. Dr. Magras delivered a compelling charge to the graduates, emphasizing the importance of the program's core values: professionalism, service above self, principled leadership, respect and tolerance for others, teamwork, collegiality, and inclusiveness of ideas. “The success of this program and its graduates represents a significant step forward in developing strong, ethical, and effective public sector leadership in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” she stated.
Keynote speakers included UVI President Dr. David Hall and Cindy Richardson, Director of the Division of Personnel. Although unable to attend in person, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. extended his congratulations to the CPM graduates.
According to the UVI release, both cohorts demonstrated their growth and learning through group presentations and reflections, showcasing the program's impact on their professional development. The St. Croix District group project focused on enhancing organizational excellence within the public and private sectors, while the St. Thomas/St. John District group project centered on creating the Virgin Islands Division of Renewable Energy (DRE).
The graduation ceremonies attracted a diverse audience, including representatives from various Government of the Virgin Islands departments and the graduates' friends, families, and loved ones. This broad attendance highlighted the program's significance in preparing managers for impactful careers in federal, state, and local government, as well as organizations with a public purpose.
A notable highlight of the ceremony was former senator Genevieve Whitaker's address to the St. Croix District graduating class. She announced the launch of the CPM Alumni Association and detailed plans for an upcoming in-person meeting, aiming to provide ongoing support and networking opportunities for CPM graduates.
Richardson congratulated the students and emphasized the importance of implementing their individual projects to drive positive change and demonstrate a return on investment within their respective agencies.
The graduates included professionals from various sectors, such as the Department of Education, the Department of Human Services, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, the Office of the Governor, the Department of Labor, and the V.I. Housing Finance Authority, among others.
