Southern University System Strengthens Partnership with St. Kitts and Nevis During Official Visit
BATON ROUGE, La.- The Southern University System continued to advance its growing international partnership with the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis during an official visit to the Caribbean nation, where Interim President Orlando F. McMeans met on June 25 with Prime Minister, the Honorable Dr. Terrance Michael Drew, to discuss expanding collaboration in higher education, agriculture, research, and workforce development.
The meeting provided President McMeans and Prime Minister Drew with an opportunity to reaffirm their shared commitment to expanding educational access and to developing innovative partnerships that promote economic growth, workforce development, and sustainable progress throughout the Caribbean. The discussions also included Her Excellency Dr. Hadiya Claxton, whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing educational and international business relations for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The visit further strengthened the strategic relationship between the Southern University System and the Government of St. Kitts andNevis through collaborative initiatives designed to expand educational opportunities, advance agricultural innovation, and foster long-term economic development.
Central to those efforts is the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Southern University System and the Ministry of Education of the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis, which continues to expand affordable access to higher education for students from the island nation across the Southern University System while strengthening academic, research, and cultural collaboration between Southern University and the Federation.
The partnership also extends beyond higher education through the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Under a separate MOU, the Ag Center, led by the Honorable Samal Duggins, provides sustainable and environmental agriculture consulting services to the Ministry of Agriculture. This collaboration equips the Federation’s farming community with research-based expertise and innovative practices that enhance agricultural sustainability, strengthen food security, and advance food and agricultural research throughout the region.
Building on the success of its partnership with St. Kitts and Nevis, the Southern University System is exploring opportunities to establish similar collaborations with other Caribbean nations, including Jamaica, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Bermuda, and Antigua and Barbuda. These efforts reflect the System’s commitment to expanding its global reach and to serving as a leader in higher education, research, agricultural innovation, and international engagement.
“This visit reflects our continued commitment to building meaningful partnerships that create opportunities for our students, strengthen communities, and address global challenges,” said President McMeans. “Our collaboration with St.Kitts and Nevis demonstrates what is possible when higher education, government, and industry work together. We are not only expanding access to world-class education across the Southern University System but also advancing sustainable agriculture, food security, research, and workforce development, all with a lasting impact throughout the Caribbean.”
The partnership’s impact will continue this fall as the Southern University System welcomes its newest Class of 2030 from St. Kitts and Nevis. Among the incoming students is the reigning Miss St. Kitts, whose decision to enroll at Southern reflects the University System’s growing strength and international reputation. The Southern University System looks forward to welcoming this exceptional cohort as they begin their academic journey and join the Jaguar family.
As the Southern University System continues to expand its global footprint, its partnership with St. Kitts and Nevis serves as a model for international collaboration, delivering transformative educational opportunities, advancing research and innovation, promoting agricultural sustainability, and strengthening communities across the Caribbean and beyond.
