107 Vincentians Graduate from Monroe University as President Praises SVG Partnership
By Admin. Updated 6:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
One hundred and seven Vincentians have graduated from Monroe University this year, marking the largest graduating cohort from St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the institution’s history and another milestone in the education partnership between the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the university.
The graduates were recognised during a commencement ceremony held at Royalton Resort in Saint Lucia on 17 October, where students from across the region celebrated the successful completion of their studies in gala style. The graduation ceremony was then held on October 18 at the same venue.
The Vincentian graduates earned qualifications across several degree levels and academic programmes, with many graduating summa cum laude after attaining grade point averages (GPAs) of 3.80 and above.
In a video message recorded for One News SVG by members of the graduating class, Monroe University President Mark Jerome expressed gratitude to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for its continued collaboration with the university.
“I am President Mark Jerome from Monroe University, and I was so excited today to welcome so many students from St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Jerome said.
“We are so happy and we are thankful to the government, the Prime Minister, and all the people who work so hard to provide the programme and the funding.”
Jerome described the Vincentian graduates as “a great group” before inviting them to celebrate the occasion together.
The partnership between Monroe University and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has expanded opportunities for Vincentians seeking tertiary education.
Ordinary Vincentians who meet the university’s matriculation requirements are eligible to receive government tuition scholarships to pursue studies at Monroe University. In addition, a special initiative supports first-generation university students, creating further pathways for those who would be the first in their families to earn a tertiary qualification.
Speaking on radio in 2024, then Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves outlined the objectives of the programme, explaining that it was designed to remove one of the biggest barriers to higher education.
He said the initiative initially targeted 50 first-generation Vincentian students each year, with the Government and Monroe University jointly providing grants that would eliminate out-of-pocket tuition costs for successful applicants studying either at the university’s Saint Lucia campus or, where applicable, its New York campus.
Gonsalves noted at the time that while students would still be responsible for living expenses, the agreement ensured that qualifying students would not have to pay tuition fees themselves. He also highlighted additional assistance from Monroe University for eligible students choosing on-campus accommodation.
The programme forms part of broader efforts to increase access to tertiary education by reducing financial barriers and creating opportunities for Vincentians to earn internationally recognised qualifications.
This year’s graduation of 107 Vincentians is the largest cohort of nationals from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to graduate from Monroe University, reflecting the continued success of the partnership and the growing number of Vincentians pursuing higher education through the institution.
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