PHILIPSBURG – The University of St. Martin (USM) School of Continuing Education and Life Long Learning (SCELL) joined forces with TelEm Group, to increase male enrollment in 2016 at USM.
Currently there are 37 male students enrolled at USM, and Youth Professional Network (YPN) has set a firm goal to increase that number to 57, by enrolling 20 males to USM/UVI by August 1, with the help of businesses on St. Maarten.
The Male Enrollment Business challenge started on June 1, and will run through July 31. “We are requesting donations of $500 to $5,000, to provide males ages 18-25 with their first semester scholarship to return to school in August 2016. All donations will be acknowledged at the end of the challenge, and the winning business will receive community and formal USM recognition. All donating businesses will be invited to the awards ceremony held in early August, to present scholarships to the male recipients,” SCELL said in a release.
Managing Director of Windward Islands Bank (WIB) Derek Downes jumped aboard immediately when he heard about the business challenge, and donated scholarships for two males to enroll at USM this Fall.
Founder of SCELL Dr. Natasha Gittens stated, “I founded Youth Professionals Network (YPN) to support young men enrolled at USM with a solid platform to share their personal academic experiences with potential USM male students. I believe this is a perfect formula to empower USM males to become mentors while simultaneously pursuing their academic dreams and encouraging others to pursue degrees at USM and UVI at USM. I am very grateful that WIB sees the importance of YPN and male enrollment.”
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of TelEm Helma Etnel said, “When I was approached to assist in the Male Enrollment campaign by Dr. Gittens I did not hesitate. I believe higher education is very important. I was thrilled when I discovered that two of my valued employees were interested in attending USM, Mr. Generlette and Mr. Illis. We are very proud that they have earned the scholarship to USM in August, and will support them throughout their journey. I am pleased that SCELL has added a significant component that allows current successful males attending the USM to mentor new students like Generlette and Illis, and provide them with much needed guidance and support. I encourage other businesses to contribute to the campaign and help increase male enrollment at USM.”
President of YPN and a second year accounting major Javid Hurtault stated, “Education never stops and should be viewed as an ongoing personal development. The more males on the island that pursue degrees, the better the St. Maarten community will become. We are asking the businesses big and small of St. Maarten to assist us with increasing male enrollment at USM, a move in the right direction for the community at large. We can make a difference with one scholarship at a time.”
For further information on donating a scholarship to YPN, and information or questions on how to enroll at USM, call 554-2437 or visit the SCELL website.
