Rooted in the Caribbean, with a Global Student Services Mission

Rooted in the Caribbean, with a Global Student Services Mission

Amanda Best-Noel currently works at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.

Just over fifteen years ago, I discovered student services as undergraduate student at The University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago. From leading student oriented projects to hands on project planning exposure, my passion for student services was developed through student internship and volunteerism opportunities.

As a first-generation student, attending university was a sacrificial privilege; I needed to figure out part financing of my university tuition and keeping my grades stable. Landing a job while studying became a necessity. With the help of the student services department, I was able to secure an internship. That experience was magical and transformative. At that point, I developed my love for supporting others through programs that enhance student life and promote development. Two years’ post-graduation, I was able to secure a full time student services position that challenged me to empathize with students’ needs and in so doing, reorganize and expand the university’s orientation and transition programming.

Member of the UWI Got Talent’s Student Services Management team. UWI Got Talent serves as a professional platform to recognize, celebrate and reward talent excellence within The UWI St. Augustine's student population.

Working in student services at The UWI has been a dynamic and rewarding experience. It has allowed me the opportunity to learn, research, build and contribute to the growth of student services in the Caribbean region. The internationalization of student support services was always at the forefront of the creative thought process for student programming. One of the advantages of working in a university positioned across the Caribbean, is that it supports staff opportunities for professional development. Having spent six week stints at the University of the South Pacific, Fiji, York and Ryerson University, Canada gave me a greater understanding of the role and importance of student services in other post-secondary institutions. Living and working in Fiji has taught me the value and role of cultural emersion for both local and international students. Recognizing the need to ensure that students are acclimatized and well oriented to campus life and life in a different country is defining international students. My experience at Canadian institutions has given me to edge in understanding best practices and how innovation can provide the competitive advantage needed for student programming in the Caribbean.

My USP coworker, Ella Bennion and I, heading to Suva by bus to purchase supplies for international student orientation.

Fast tracked to today, my current portfolio allows for the establishing of an advisory role in the support of student leaders. My open door policy allows students to share their ideas freely and non-judgmentally, knowing that great ideas develop into programs and services for students. From developing programs to advising and training student leaders, another advantage of being positioned in a regional institution is that I get the opportunity to influence and share future change agents of this region. This is a great responsibility.Our role in student services is to facilitate student success. It is out of these experience that I am able to influence and lead both my team and student leaders to develop and deliver initiatives that support students fully. I lead by example showing commitment and dedication to the transformation of the culture of student leadership on my campus by inspiring the development of my team. It is in these ways, we can create a culture of learning, inclusion and growth for our students.

 Working with student leaders on strategic campus plans at regional meetings in Mona, Jamaica

I am pleased to serve the ACPA’s Commission for Global Dimensions in Student Development in the capacity of Membership Engagement Coordinator. This role gives me an opportunity to recruit new members for the Commission and to engage current ones. If you are excited by student leadership and success, program design, internationalization and mentorship, I would be happy to connect!

Writer’s Bio

Amanda Best-Noel 

Amanda currently serves as Manager, Students’ Guild Office at The University of The West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus; a position where she supports and guides the development of student leaders. In the last 10 years, she has also led in the creation of programs for student orientation and transition. Amanda worked internationally researching, understudying and influencing best practices in holistic student services. She holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Studies (UWI) and has taught in the University’s Communication Studies program for 13 years.