Dr Curtis-Tweed To Work At College In New York
Dr. Phyllis Curtis-Tweed is leaving Bermuda College at the end of the month to take up a new post at Queensborough Community College in New York City.
A spokesperson said, “Interim President, Dr. Phyllis Curtis-Tweed is leaving Bermuda College at the end of the month to take up a new post as Provost and Vice President at Queensborough Community College [QCC] in New York City, the highest ranked community college in New York State.
“Dr. Curtis-Tweed has spent six years at Bermuda College, and says leaving is bittersweet, but she is proud of the numerous partnerships she has been able to establish for the College, in addition to collaborative educational initiatives in the community and the leadership that she has provided to the college community.”
“My experience at Bermuda College has been a highlight of my career. Much has been accomplished at the College under my tenure as Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs,” she said.
“As a Bermudian, highly qualified in my field and committed to the success of Bermuda’s students, I am sad to leave my home, but at the same time, I look forward to developing a new chapter in my new role at QCC. I will miss my colleagues, friends and students, but I remain grateful for the opportunities that I have enjoyed while on Island.”
The spokesperson said, “While at the College, she developed and implemented a new academic advising model in consultation with faculty and staff that focused on enhancing the relationship between advisors and students to maximise academic student success; she expanded the dual enrolment programmes to private schools through MOUs; and she used a task force approach to galvanise inter-departmental groups to implement the College’s strategic plan.
“She also established the re/insurance advisory board with industry leaders to develop a talent pipeline for Bermudians to enter the field, gain access to scholarships and internships, and pursue an insurance degree concentration with Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter [CPCU] certification. She established a marine science advisory board in collaboration with marine-related agencies to develop programming and internship opportunities for Bermuda College students, resulting in the Associate Degree in Marine Science.
“Dr. Curtis-Tweed also facilitated the transitioning of the Bermuda Insurance Institute’s programming and funding to the College through the Bermuda College Foundation. In addition, she partnered with the Department of Education and LiteracyHow, a Connecticut-based company, to improve reading scores for public school students. Recently, she expanded the Prior Learning Assessment [PLA] initiative at the College to help Bermudians expedite associate degree attainment by converting work-related life experiences into college credit.
“Dr. Curtis-Tweed’s new position comes with tenure as a full professor in the Department of Social Sciences [Psychology]. Among her duties as Provost, she will serve as the chief academic officer, responsible for leading and directing the development of curriculum and academic programmes, and directing recruitment, retention and professional development.
“QCC has an enrolment of approximately 12-thousand students and 700 full- and part-time faculty.
“Dr Curtis-Tweed will serve as Interim President at Bermuda College until the end of the month at which time the role of Interim President will be assumed by Ms. Branwen Smith-King.”
