Safiya George has been selected as the next president of the University of the Virgin Islands. Dr. George will assume her presidency in August.
The University of Virgin Islands enrolls just over 1600 students, consisting of roughly 1300 undergraduate and 300 graduate students. Women represent 72 percent of the undergraduate student body.
Dr. George currently serves as dean of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University. In this role, she oversees the university’s two nurse-led health centers: the Memory and Wellness Center and the Federally Qualified Health Center Look-A-Like Community Health Center. She previously served as a faculty member, assistant dean for research, and director of scholarly affairs at the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing. Earlier in her career, she taught at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Becoming a President has been a longstanding dream and goal for many reasons, including my love for interdisciplinary engagement and my keen ability to foster collaboration and productivity among scholars, students, staff, and others from different disciplines.” She continued, “As a servant leader, I am confident I will be an effective President for the University of the Virgin Islands and will remain humble and grounded with a sincere desire to improve outcomes and the lives of students, faculty, staff, and the community.”
Dr. George is an alumna of the University of the Virgin Islands where she received an associate’s degree and bachelor of nursing degree. She earned a master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in HIV/AIDS and oncology, as well as a Ph.D. in nursing research from Emory University.