SFC Strengthens Ties to Trinidad and Tobago
In late October, St. Francis College President Miguel Martinez-Saenz, Ph.D., and a contingent from the
college traveled to Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, at the invitation of members of SFC’s Caribbean
Alumni Network. The goals were to facilitate a resurgence of the Caribbean Alumni Network, increase
enrollment from the Caribbean, officially kick off the SFC Caribbean Alumni Fund, and build mutually
beneficial partnerships with Trinidad and Tobago universities and corporations.
T
he planning committee for the trip was
SFC Director of Recruitment Rob Oliva ’04
comprised of SFC alumni both in the
and President Martinez-Saenz also presented
U.S. and in Trinidad and Tobago, which
information about the college and the
included several SFC employees. They helped
opportunities available to students.
develop the trip’s itinerary by contacting their
“At the end of each presentation, dozens
high school alma maters as well as community
of students eagerly approached alumni to
organizations, universities, government
hear their personal stories of why SFC was
officials, and businesses.
a great choice for them,” said Martinez-
U.S. based alumni included SFC employees
Saenz. “I am certain that without the
The SFC team visited six high school as well as the
Alicia Browne ’05, Antonevia Ocho-Coultes
dedication and enthusiasm of the alumni
2018 USA Education College Fair, in which more
’04, Marlon Joseph ’05, Jason Whittaker ’06,
and staff fielding endless questions, our
than 75 U.S. colleges and universities participated.
as well as, Denzil Streete ’02, and Anthony
inquiries would’ve been far less.”
Valley ’98 who live in the tri-state area.
There were also successful meetings with the Minister of Education,
SFC alumni living on the island Arnold Piggott ’71, Evol Phillip ’05,
the former Trinidad and Tobago Canadian High Commissioner (a SFC
Giselle Bartholomew ’08, Saleem Abdul-Rahman ’05, Jason Ifill ’04,
alum), the University of Trinidad and Tobago, the University of the West
Jason Kangalee ’04, Kevin Joseph ’05, Krisson Joseph ’05, Keisha
Indies, the Speaker of the House for Tobago, the Catholic Education
Israel ’08, Meisha Trim ’04, Raynata Wiggins ’04, Shonda Moore ’03,
Board of Management, and the National Gas Company (NGC). Each
and Solange Francis ’06 also participated.
conversation laid the groundwork for further discussions, including
“These individuals actively engaged in spearheading the planning
potential faculty collaborations and student exchange programs. Two
and making the necessary connections to ensure the trip was a success
paid internships at NGC were secured.
beyond our expectations,” said Martinez-Saenz.
Over 40 alumni attended a SFC dinner with generations of graduates
Several U.S.-based alumni made the trip and combined forces
from 1969 to 2014 in attendance.
with alumni who live on the island. They spent the week accompanying
“Thank you to the amazing alumni, many of whom took vacation
the SFC team on visits to six high schools as well as the 2018 USA
time from their jobs to volunteer for this recruitment initiative,” said
Education College Fair, in which more than 75 U.S. colleges and
Martinez-Saenz.
universities participated. Approximately 4,000 students and their
“We look forward to replicating this experience with other alumni
families attended, and SFC fielded more than 400 inquiries while
throughout the United States and possibly other countries,” he contin-
more than 15 0 students applied to SFC on the spot.
ued. “With this type of highly engaged alumni involvement and the
At each high school visit, the alumni shared their personal stories
support of faculty and staff, I believe more than ever that we can embark
about SFC and how it
on a comprehensive
can be an ideal choice
internationalization
“We
look
forward
to
replicating
this
experience
with
other
alumni
for today’s students.
strategy.” ●
throughout the United States and possibly other countries…”
—President Miguel Martinez-Saenz, Ph.D.
Alumni reception.
ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE TERRIER | WINTER 2018, VOLUME 82, NUMBER 1
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