TCICC Launches Foundation and Endowment to Strengthen Educational Opportunities and Long-Term Growth
The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) has taken a major step towards securing its financial future and expanding opportunities for students with the official launch of the TCICC Foundation and Endowment.
The initiative was unveiled during the College’s second Board of Governors’ Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Salvation Army Banquet Hall in Providenciales.
Under the theme, “Together We Advance: Strengthening Partnerships, Expanding Possibilities,” the gathering brought together government officials, educators, business leaders, students, alumni and community stakeholders to celebrate the institution’s achievements and chart its future.
The newly established Foundation and Endowment is designed to attract philanthropic investment, strengthen financial sustainability and provide additional resources for scholarships, academic programmes, institutional development and student success.
Presenting the rationale behind the initiative, consultant Leonardo Ralph Patrick outlined the need to diversify the College’s funding sources as demand for tertiary and vocational education continues to grow.
He emphasised that the Foundation would provide a structured avenue for alumni, businesses, organisations and individuals to contribute towards the institution’s long-term development.
The launch comes amid significant growth at TCICC, with President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Candice Williams reporting major achievements during the 2025/2026 academic reporting period.
Student enrolment increased by 32 per cent, climbing from 469 in Fall 2024 to 619 in Fall 2025. The College also celebrated its largest graduating class in November 2025, when 144 students completed their studies.
Another major achievement was the institution’s attainment of ISO 9001:2015 certification, reflecting improvements in quality management, accountability and operational standards.
“TCICC is not the same institution it was a year ago. We are larger. We are stronger. We are more accountable. And we are moving forward with intention,” Dr Williams declared.
Chair of the Board of Governors, Sheba Wilson, described the Foundation’s establishment as a defining moment in the College’s development.
“The establishment of this Foundation represents an important step in strengthening the College's long-term sustainability, expanding opportunities for philanthropic support and creating new pathways for investment in our students and the future of higher education in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Wilson said in a recorded address.
She credited consultant Ralph Patrick and Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs Dr Patroy Montaque for their contributions towards establishing the Foundation’s legal and institutional framework.
Delivering the keynote address, prominent businessman and developer Dr Stan Hartling challenged the private sector to play a greater role in preparing young Islanders for successful careers.
Hartling stressed that meaningful philanthropy should extend beyond monetary donations to include mentorship, internships, apprenticeships, professional guidance and employment opportunities.
He encouraged stakeholders to judge the Foundation’s success not simply by the amount of money collected, but by the number of students supported and lives positively transformed.
The importance of collective responsibility was further explored during a panel discussion titled “Collaborative Philanthropy: Investing in Education, Empowering Communities and Transforming Futures.”
Panellists included former Premier Rufus Ewing, Devon Cox, Kyle Smith, Judith Garland and Tremmaine Harvey, who examined how partnerships between educational institutions, businesses and communities could strengthen access to higher education.
Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, the Honourable Rachel Marshall Taylor, welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to mobilise greater community participation.
“The Foundation opens new opportunities to engage alumni, community partners, donors, and friends of the College in advancing its mission. It has the potential to expand scholarships, enhance programmes, and provide resources that will benefit generations of students to come,” the Minister stated.
One of the ceremony’s most memorable moments came when Dr Williams invited students representing the College’s seven faculties onto the stage.
The symbolic gesture placed students at the centre of the Foundation’s mission, reinforcing the message that its ultimate purpose is to remove financial barriers, create opportunities and empower future generations.
Dr Williams urged stakeholders to translate their expressions of support into meaningful commitments through donations, partnerships and sustained involvement.
The Foundation is now inviting individuals, families and businesses to become members, with annual membership fees ranging from US$45 for students to US$18,000 for corporate members.
Other categories include Senior membership at $90, Regular at $450, Family at $900, Founding Member at $1,800, Patron at $5,400 and Benefactor at $10,800. Honorary membership is available without a fee, subject to Board approval.
Interested persons may also make donations or express interest in serving on the Foundation’s Board.
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