Janet Smith says farewell, HLSCC told to explore full potential
Dr Janet Smith (file photo)
As Dr Janet Smith officially ends her two-year stint as the President of the H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), she is calling for education authorities to fully explore the institution’s potential.
Dr Smith made the call while addressing HLSCC faculty and staff during a farewell letter on July 30.
“As I leave, I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the British Virgin Islands in the manner for which I was appointed for the past two years. There remains much to be done, and there always will be. The full potential of this college remains to be realized as fully as it could, and should be realized,” she wrote.
“I encourage you to stay focused on its purpose; work hard to make an unselfish contribution, and enjoy the satisfaction of doing your best. I have always prayed the best for the college as a formidable building block for the territory, and will continue to do so,” she said.
Advice
The former president also had words of advice to the incoming president, Judith Vanterpool.
Vanterpool’s tenure as the new head begins Wednesday, August 1.
“The presidency is not a person, and it is not simply a job. It is about a commitment to serve the students and to achieve the college’s best fit in meeting the needs of the community.”
She said being a president also entails anticipating, creating, identifying, and responding to both opportunities and challenges of various kinds.
“Sometimes it even takes a great deal of discernment; but this is the only way to make progress, even when doing so would result in disagreements, if not ridicule. These, of course, are often based on different points of view, experience, and even perspective.”
She added: “It is often a test of commitment and professional maturity in the task of finding ways to be even better rather than being comfortable. It is always in looking toward the future that change for the good of the college should be measured.”
Dr Smith also used the opportunity to wish Vanterpool ‘success’ in her new role.
According to Dr Smith, during her 34-year stint with the college, she has been able to assist in the college achieving accreditation status in 2015.
Dr Smith told BVI News she now plans to enjoy her retirement.
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Well done,daughter of the soil.
Thank you for your unquestionable commitment to the betterment of HLSCC.
she took the college back 100 years in time..
In what way?
I think she sort of gave up and decided to ride out her contract. Until the Government takes higher education seriously and a real and un-bias board is put in place – HLSCC will never progress
@good riddance.. your ignorance is Bliss.
Well done Janet , regards to your grandma , Lynette andyourmum. Have a safe and enjoyable retirement , the Blessing of God be with you and your family. MYrna Fonseca
If she only had a few more months some of you walking around doing nothing and face looking to push down the building that the good hard working people glad to come to you would have disappeared just like a few who didn’t want to work.but we are looking and seeing what’s happening. Please Don t be fooled.
HUH? What are you trying to say?
S– and m– together killed the college
You have it wrong the lady was trying to get the college lifted up higher but the man in charge slow her down and will continue to do same with whoever is at the head.but keep in mind his days is very limited. Election around the corner and he will be the opposition leader.and another cause for the some of the problems is the employees that walk from office to office trying to find the people who also does nothing more that screw up there face a day and get paid.thats what killing hlscc.