The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) has signed a Statement of Shared Interest agreement with the Stella and Charles Guttman Community College at the City University of New York to promote collaborative academic opportunities between the innovative institutions.

The signing ceremony, which took place on 5th December, formalised the partnership between the community colleges and considers a diverse range of mutually beneficial exchanges among faculty, research staff and students (undergraduate and/or graduate); summer schools and faculty led programmes; joint research programmes; joint conferences or workshops; and/or organisation of other academic exchanges agreeable to both institutions.

President of HLSCC, Dr. Richard Georges said that HLSCC is proud to partner with Guttman Community College to develop avenues of opportunity for its combined faculty, staff, and students and believes that this agreement can aid both institutions in realising their missions in meaningful and transformative ways.

HLSCC Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Arlene Smith-Thompson added that given the common student-focused goals, she is confident that the partnership agreement between the two colleges will augur well for the institutions as they seek to enrich the experiences of their faculty, staff, and students even more.

Vice President Smith-Thompson said, “The signing of this articulation agreement is a significant step for HLSCC and Guttman College. Based on our interactions to date, I am convinced that both of our institutions can benefit greatly from the synergies that could be created between us as we share many organisational similarities and common student-focused goals, therefore making it quite easy to facilitate the many exchanges that will take place in 2023 and beyond in mutual support of our faculty, staff, and students.”

President of Guttman College, Dr. Larry Johnson explained that establishing a partnership with HLSCC confirms Guttman’s commitment to promoting access to unique undergraduate research opportunities for a diverse student body. He said, “Enabling Guttman faculty to extend their research interests beyond New York City is paramount to the ideals of scholarship and service to which defines the Guttman Model.”

Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost of Guttman College, Dr. Nicola Blake added that Guttman’s commitment to traveling abroad has long been a key component of the educational experience. “We are thrilled to partner with our sister college in the British Virgin Islands to further bring these opportunities to fruition,” Guttman Provost Blake stated.

The Statement of Interest agreement was signed during a virtual signing ceremony by President of HLSCC, Dr. Richard Georges and President of Guttman College, Dr. Larry Johnson.

They were supported by Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs of Guttman College and Provost, Dr. Nicola Blake; Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Arlene Smith-Thompson; Vice President of Operations and Quality Assurance, Dr. LuVerne Vanterpool-Baptiste and Dean of Arts, Sciences, and General Studies, Dr. Jasmattie Yamraj; and other representatives from Guttman College.