The University of the Virgin Islands now has a new provost administering academic policy at the university. Assuming the position, as of mid-July, is former Florida Memorial University President Karl S. Wright, according to a UVI release.
“We are very fortunate to have obtained the services of such a seasoned and highly accomplished provost for this key academic leadership position,” UVI President David Hall said. “Wright’s past service as provost and president will aid us greatly in our quest for greatness. He has a deep commitment to the educational enhancement of UVI, the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean.”
Wright comes to UVI with more than 20 years of senior and executive level administrative experience at private and public universities, which began in 1985 when he was named chair of the department of economics at South Carolina State University. In 1987 he became dean of the university’s School of Business.
Seven years later, Wright was named vice president for academic affairs at Florida Memorial University. He also served as executive vice president and provost at FMU until 2006, when he was selected to serve as president of that institution.
Wright holds a doctorate in agricultural economics, which he earned at Mississippi State University. His areas of scholarly research interest are statistical forecasting and economic modeling.
He also has been instrumental in spearheading the development and enhancement of a wide range of academic programs, including a regionally accredited MBA program.
He also brings a wealth of experience in successful accreditation efforts at both the institutional and programmatic levels, and has experience with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.
Originally from Jamaica, Wright has worked extensively to create education partnerships with international institutions in Sierra Leone, Niger, Indonesia, the Philippines, Spain, the Dominican Republic and throughout the Caribbean. Additionally, Wright has significant experience working at land grant universities and in leading numerous efforts to enhance the connection between universities and the community.
Wright will live on St. Croix and maintain offices on UVI’s St. Croix and St. Thomas campuses.
