The President of the Anguilla Community College, Dr. Karl Dawson, has come to the end of his three-year term of service at the Anguilla Community College. Speaking in a sit-down interview with him recently, The Anguillian was informed of some details concerning his tenure, as well as his hopes and aspirations for the future operations of the institute.
First, Dr. Dawson was asked, what caused him to connect with Anguilla and what were the circumstances that led to his attachment to the ACC as President. In replying, he noted that in his native land of Totorla, he had been President of a similar community institute, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, which was named after one of Tortola’s national heroes. As President of that college, Dr. Dawson and the institute provided assistance to the Anguilla Community College while it was still in its early formative years.
He stated: “In 2017, the Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions, a regional body for higher education, featured on its website the opening of a post for the ACC presidency. Further, the ACC’s President at the time, Dr. Delroy Louden, advised me of the position and encouraged me to apply. I had been acquainted with Anguilla and the ACC, prior, as I had collaborated with its operations in my capacity of President of H. Lavity Stout Community College.”
“Besides, he continued, “I had made official visits on occasions to take part in certain ACC events on behalf of the Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions. Also, I had been present at the swearing in ceremony of Dr. Louden, himself, as President, and I had attended a couple ACC graduations too.” In addition, Dr. Dawson said that he was no stranger to Anguilla because his great-great grandfather, namely Abraham Vanterpool, migrated to the island of St. Thomas from Anguilla in the 19th century, and his offspring settled in Tortola. “So my roots are indeed in Anguilla,” he remarked.
Asked what were his impressions of the institute when he started his presidency at the ACC, he reflected: “Seeing that I already knew that it was a rather small institution, in comparison to the institute in Tortola, I was not surprised — especially since I was somewhat acquainted with its mode of operations. However, due to the size of the ACC, there were certain adjustments that I had to make. Whereas at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College I could call on individuals who had the capacity to fill certain roles, and take on specific tasks, at the ACC, based on the size of the staff, I had to perform certain tasks myself.”
Dr. Dawson was asked what was the most prominent improvement made at the ACC that would be attributed to his work. He answered: “As I look back on my term, I think my most outstanding task was to create an awareness of the services of the ACC throughout the Anguillian community. I realized that there were many persons who were not really conscious of the presence of the college in the community; and those who knew about the institute were not really cognizant of what it offers. We have turned that around to a great extent by raising the awareness of the college and its services.” He said that awareness was achieved through increased press releases in the newspaper, other media outlets, social media, and through advertising.
While on the subject of awareness, Dr. Dawson also mentioned some of the courses introduced under his watch and said that the college needs to expand the basic courses that it offers. He observed: “Core areas like construction, hospitality, and teacher education, need to be expanded to offer more advanced courses. Such expansions would attract the interest of more persons including those students who have just finished secondary school, as well as more mature individuals who are already employed.”
When he was asked concerning the availability of courses for persons just finishing school, he responded: “With respect to the high school graduates, our B-Tech Level 2 programme is a great offer. This programme is called Technical Six.” “Coming up this Fall,” he said, “we will be also offering Creative Media and Information Technology. Here is where we have expanded our offerings to cater to the needs of those in the community who would be inclined to follow trends in media and technology.”
Dr. Dawson also alluded to the college’s offering of an Associate’s Degree in General Studies as well as the new Charter Management Institute (CMI) programme which is a novel course that was introduced this year. “These courses,” he said, “will serve to create more interest in the services offered by the ACC.”
Looking forward, Dr. Dawson was asked if there is any advice, hints, or encouragement that he would want to give his successor. He noted: “I would encourage my successor to embrace all of our new programmes, nurture them, and build upon them. Lately, we have made plans to embark on a Strategic Planning Exercise. The outcome of this initiative would inform everyone about where the college would be heading in the future.”
He continued: “While I would advocate certain suggestions and plans to present to my successor, in the hope that they would be implemented, I would definitely expect him or her to work with the Board, Dean, faculty and other ACC officers with regard to carrying out this critical Strategic Planning Exercise which will determine the future of the college.” “This exercise,” he said, “will take into account such aspects as macro-data which is related to local population trends, demographics, economic trends, plans and direction of government, as well as the history and strengths of the College.”
Dr. Dawson did promise that he would be always available to render any assistance to the ACC as he had so willingly done in the past.
Finally, when asked what would be his parting word to the faculty and officers who he leaves behind, Dr. Dawson said: “I would like to thank the Board, faculty, and staff for their support and cooperation during my tenure. I would also remind the faculty and my colleagues, who I leave behind, to continue to execute the teaching and learning process of learning by doing. Learning must be a practical exercise. Our students need to practise while they are taught, and while they learn, so that they can master their courses and become as excellent as possible in their fields of endeavor.
“And, my very last word is not necessarily to the college per se, but to Anguilla as a whole. I want to say that the Anguilla Community College is a much needed institution in the Anguilla community. As we seek to match the needs of students — whether young or older — with potential content providers for various courses, we do need an institution like the ACC to be that linking pin for tertiary education. The Anguilla Community College must, therefore, be cognizant that it plays a huge role in the education processes of Anguilla’s people.”
Dr. Dawson stated that he wished he could have served the ACC for another three-year term, but he had to terminate his services at this time in order to pay personal attention to family concerns.
The management and staff of The Anguillian newspaper thank Dr. Dawson for his work in the development of Anguilla and its people, and wish him much success and fulfillment in his future pursuits.
- Staff Reporter, James Harrigan
