In Trinidad, Adventist university president turns in his resignation

January 20, 2016 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | USC Communication

Dr. Clinton A. Valley, outgoing USC president. Images by USC

The Board of Trustees of the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) recently voted to accept the resignation of its president Dr. Clinton Valley, as he pursues other professional interests.

During his tenure, Dr. Valley made a sterling contribution to the development of the institution including infrastructural projects such as the completion of the new dorm, recruitment and alignment of personnel for greater effectiveness, new program development and an enhanced spiritual ethos. Additionally, a second residence hall, an early childhood center, and a new auditorium are currently under construction. USC also received leadership awards from the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago during his leadership.

While a search commences for a new president, Dr. Sylvan A. Lashley, former president of Caribbean Union College from 1990-1996, will serve as the interim president, university officials said. Dr. Lashley, who attended Caribbean Union College high school, formerly served as president of the Adventist colleges in Jamaica and Massachusetts, in the United States, now serves as USC’s Business School Dean. Dr. Lashley has earned graduate degrees in History, higher education leadership and has two law degrees, and brings a breadth of experience to the university.

Dr. Sylvan a. Lashley will serve as interim president of USC

USC is a higher education institution of the Seventh-day Adventist church and has a population of 3,200 students spread over its main campus in Maracas, St. Joseph and its extension campuses in San Fernando, Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia, Guyana and Antigua. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 35 disciplines and has students from over 40 countries and is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago and the Adventist Accreditation Association.

USC continues to affirm Biblical principles as the major strategy in facilitating the transformation of the national and regional community, maintaining its mission focus of seeking to empower thousands of youth, motivating them to achieve excellence, the website stated.

The University of the Southern Caribbean is a private, coeducational institution, which was established in 1927.