MISSION
Island Scholars is an aspirational and empowering organization providing access to higher education for motivated but financially challenged students from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We are dedicated to fostering educational equity and supporting talented students in pursuing their dreams and creating change in their communities, country and beyond.
Island Scholars aims to accomplish its mission by:
• Selecting students who want to obtain a college education but lack the financial means.
• Mentoring and supporting the students during college and beyond.
OUR STORY
Founded by Ron Rose, Island Scholars grew out of his commitment to give back to society, specifically, to St Vincent and the Grenadines where he received his early education, nurturing and development.
In 1999, Ron started a program to help high achieving children from low income families in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines community where he attended elementary school. He was concerned that many children who qualified to attend the top high schools lacked the financial resources to pay for such essentials as transportation, uniforms and lunch. His initial effort was a modest one, yet several students benefited. As Ron’s involvement in the program grew, he became increasingly aware that many students who successfully completed high school did not go on to university because they couldn’t afford the costs. For one thing, St. Vincent does not boast a university campus and students must leave the country and go elsewhere for a university education. Many poor families simply cannot afford to pay the fees at a University of the West Indies campus or at colleges in other countries.
In 2012, Ron expanded his program by sponsoring Giselle Baptiste a student who was admitted at the University of the West Indies (UWI). Her parents had very limited resources and the prospect of her attending a university seemed very dim as many obstacles stood in her way. Because of her determination and academic potential, Ron encouraged her to apply to colleges. She was accepted at UWI, St. Augustine as a Math and Physics major. Giselle successfully graduated in 2015 and is pursuing a career as a high school Math teacher.
The success of Giselle and the opportunity to assist other talented and deserving students from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, provided all the motivation Ron needed to establish a scholarship fund, and Island Scholars was born in 2014.
THE BOARD
Ronald Rose – Founder & President – Retired Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Ms. Louise Bowman, -Vice President – Intellectual Property Attorney
Christina Shu – Treasurer – Owner, West Windsor Kumon
Dr. Tera Hunter – Secretary – Professor, Princeton University.
Ms. Verna Greer – Director – Principal, ATC Advisory Services
Dr. Michael Joshua – Director, Professor Emeritus Virginia State University
Dr. LaFleur Stephens – Director -Associate Professor, Princeton University.
ADVISORS
Sir Errol Allen
Former Deputy Governor,
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
Banking & Financial Consultant
Ms. Gail Holler
V.P Human Resources
Lisata Therapeutics
Ms. Connice Trimmingham – Island Scholars graduate
Software Engineer