The University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) welcomed new and returning students to the 2026–2027 academic year through a series of orientation activities across Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, reaffirming the University’s commitment to cultivating a student experience grounded in connection, belonging, academic opportunity and holistic support.
The orientation programme marked an important point of entry into university life, providing students with opportunities to engage with faculty, staff and University leadership while gaining a deeper understanding of the academic, personal and professional resources available to support their development and success.
In Grand Cayman, students participated in Student Orientation ahead of the commencement of classes. The programme introduced students to the University’s academic community, campus life and student support services, while creating opportunities for them to establish relationships and develop a sense of belonging within the wider UCCI community.
Mr. Gilbert A. McLean, JP, Chairman of the UCCI Board of Governors, addressed students alongside President and Chief Executive Officer Nanalie Cover and Dr. Livingston Smith, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Education. Deans from UCCI’s academic divisions, together with the Directors of Student Life and Health and Wellness, also engaged with students, highlighting the breadth of academic opportunities and the range of services designed to support students throughout their university journey.
Extending the University Experience to Cayman Brac
UCCI’s commitment to an inclusive and connected student experience extended to Cayman Brac, where the University hosted a dedicated orientation for Dual Enrolment students in the Sister Islands.
On 8 August, President and Chief Executive Officer Nanalie Cover and Dr. Livingston Smith, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Education, travelled to the Cayman Brac Campus to meet with students and faculty, listen to their perspectives and reinforce the academic and student support available to them as members of the wider UCCI community.
“Our students in Cayman Brac are an important part of the UCCI community, and it is essential that they feel connected to the full University experience. Being here gives us the opportunity to listen to our students, understand their aspirations and ensure they know that the support, resources and opportunities of UCCI are available to them wherever they are studying. That sense of connection is central to who we are as one University serving the Cayman Islands,” said President Cover.
The orientation also featured virtual contributions from Dr. Patricia Robinson, Registrar; Donnette Goddard, Director of Student Life; and Kai Matthews-Mowatt, Associate Director of Health and Wellness. They provided guidance on academic processes, student engagement, health and wellness, and the learning and support services available to students.
The session was facilitated by Joshua Baker, Deputy Registrar and Manager of the Brac Campus, and provided students with an opportunity to engage directly with members of the UCCI team, raise questions and gain greater insight into the resources and opportunities available throughout their studies.
One University, Across Our Islands
The Cayman Brac engagement reflected a broader principle within UCCI’s approach to student experience: the University community is defined not by geography, but by the connections that bind its students, faculty and staff together.
As students pursue their education across the Cayman Islands, maintaining strong institutional connections between Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac remains important to ensuring that students in the Sister Islands can participate meaningfully in university life and access the opportunities, services and support available across UCCI.
In the 2026–2027 academic year, 20 Dual Enrolment students are studying in Cayman Brac, with more than half indicating an interest in continuing their studies with UCCI in Cayman Brac after completing high school.
Their aspirations underscore the importance of accessible pathways to higher education and the value of creating opportunities through which young people can pursue their academic ambitions while remaining connected to their families and communities.
For UCCI, access to higher education represents more than an opportunity to earn a qualification. It is part of a broader institutional commitment to creating an environment in which students are encouraged to discover their potential, cultivate their talents, pursue knowledge and develop the confidence and capabilities necessary to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the wider society.
The beginning of the 2026–2027 academic year therefore represented more than a return to the classroom. It marked the beginning of another chapter in the academic journeys of UCCI’s students, one characterised by learning, discovery, relationship-building and the pursuit of academic, professional and personal aspirations.
As students across Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac commence the new academic year, UCCI remains committed to accompanying them throughout their educational journeys and to strengthening the relationships that connect its students, faculty and staff as ONE UCCI, across our Islands.