Cashave Shaw
President of GCAPS
My Fellow Pelicans and Esteemed Postgraduate Scholars,
Greetings from the Executive of The UWI Global Campus Association of Postgraduate Students. I am Cashave J.B. Shaw, JP, B.Sc. (First Class Honours), a proud born Jamaican, currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management Studies (General Management). I am profoundly honoured to serve as your President for the academic year 2026-2027.
I step into this office not with a sense of entitlement, but with a profound sense of responsibility, forged by my own journey as a postgraduate student who understands the delicate art of balancing purpose, profession, and pursuit. I believe one fundamental truth: When postgraduate students thrive, the entire Global Campus flourishes. When your research succeeds, our University's reputation soars. When your well-being is secured, our community is strengthened. Our mandate is therefore not simply to represent you - it is to elevate you.
This year, we are moving from generic engagement to strategic empowerment. Our work will be anchored in five deliberate pillars of transformation:
1. ENGAGE - To Unite Our Community Beyond Borders.
We will dismantle the isolation of online learning. We will foster intentional dialogue, cross-program solidarity, and inter-campus connection, ensuring that whether you are in Jamaica or St. Lucia, Belize or Dominica, you are never learning alone.
2. EXCEL - To Sharpen Your Academic and Research Edge.
We will move beyond encouragement to equipping. Through high-impact workshops and seminars, we will transform academic anxiety into academic authority.
3. EMPOWER - To Prepare You for Roles of Impact.
Your degree must open doors. We will deliver career advancement services, leadership development, and professional networking that prepare you not just for a job, but for impactful leadership in the Caribbean and beyond.
4. THRIVE - To Champion Your Holistic Well-being.
We cannot achieve excellence on the back of exhaustion. We will fiercely advocate for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, because a healthy scholar is a successful scholar.
5. CONNECT - To Ensure Radical Transparency.
We will drive open communication and digital transformation. You will not have to search for information - information will find you. Your voice will not just be heard; it will be acted upon.
As Bob Marley wisely said, “You can't find the right roads when the streets are paved.” We did not choose this postgraduate path because it was easy. We chose it because it was meaningful. Together, we will pave new roads - roads of collaboration, innovation, and opportunity that did not exist before us. So I issue to you both an invitation and a challenge: Engage with us. Share your boldest ideas. Participate fully. Hold us accountable. This journey is about far more than earning a degree; it is about personal growth, principled leadership, and leaving a legacy far greater than your transcript.
My Executive and I are wholly committed to championing your concerns, celebrating your diverse backgrounds, and transforming representation into tangible, measurable results. Let us make the 2026-2027 academic year not just successful, but truly exceptional. Together, We Can Make it Happen!
Wishing you profound success, personal fulfilment, and unwavering resilience in all your scholarly endeavours.
Shermel Hodge
GCAPS Vice President
Allysha Mighten
GCAPS Director of Projects
My name is Allysha Mighten, and I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management Studies, with a specialisation in Project Management, at The University of the West Indies Global Campus.
With over five years of experience in project management, I bring practical knowledge in project planning, coordination, implementation and stakeholder engagement to my role as Director of Projects. In this capacity, I am committed to ensuring that project initiatives are effectively coordinated, professionally executed and aligned with the needs of the student community.
Through collaboration, innovation and effective resource management, I aim to spearhead initiatives that enhance student
engagement, foster meaningful development and create lasting value for the wider university community.
Kelroy Richardson
GCAPS Director of Research Initiatives
My name is Kelroy Richardson, a proud son of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where the strength of community and the power of perseverance continue to shape my journey. I am currently pursuing a Master of Education in Literacy Instruction at The University of the West Indies Global Campus, driven by a passion for learning, research, and meaningful change.
As Director of Research Initiatives, I envision a vibrant culture where curiosity sparks discovery, collaboration inspires innovation, and research becomes a bridge between knowledge and action. I am committed to empowering postgraduate students to explore ideas, share perspectives, and produce research that illuminates challenges and cultivates solutions to the educational, social, and developmental needs of our communities. I believe that knowledge is most powerful when it transcends the pages of academia and becomes a catalyst for transformation.
Civanna Cotterell
GCAPS Secretary
I am Civanna Cotterell, currently pursuing an MSc in Management Studies (Human Resource Management) at The UWI Global Campus. Serving as Secretary for the 2026–2027 academic year, I bring experience in human resource management, administrative management, and organisational operations.
I am passionate about effective leadership, strategic coordination, and fostering collaborative environments that encourage innovation, accountability, and meaningful student engagement. Through my role, I aim to contribute to effective governance, strengthen communication, and support initiatives that enhance the student experience.
