A Scholarship That Turns Promise Into Purpose

By Office of the President | Apr 28, 2026

Some moments stay with you, and for me, recently, the 2026 AFUWI Gala was one of them.

I was honored to receive the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Institutional Impact from the American Foundation of the University of the West Indies. However, what I will carry with me most from that evening is something far more personal, and a reminder of why our work matters.

I had the privilege of meeting Kayla Newman, the SUNY Downstate scholarship recipient and a final-year nursing student at The University of the West Indies, Mona.

Kayla shared her journey growing up in Jamaica, shaped by both loss and resilience. She spoke about losing her father at a young age and watching her mother hold the family together with strength and determination. She recalled a defining moment in her academic path, when she was turned away from an exam because of a financial hold. Receiving the Downstate scholarship, she said, provided the relief and stability needed to continue pursuing her goals.

Downstate serves one of the largest Caribbean communities in the United States. Our connection with The University of the West Indies is grounded in people, their lived experiences, and opportunity. Because of this partnership, Kayla can continue her path without financial barriers.

I am grateful to AFUWI leadership, including Chancellor Dodridge Miller, Vice-Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles, Board Chair Cyrus McCalla, M.D., and Executive Director Ann-Marie Grant, for their vision and commitment, and for their commitment to education some of the best students in the world.

Kayla represents that future, and we are fortunate to invest in it.

Tags: Awards