The UWI Global Campus is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Emerita Hazel Simmons-McDonald, a prominent academic and a fervent advocate for educational equity. Her impact on education in the Caribbean will be felt for generations to come.
Professor Simmons-McDonald was the first Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus, now The UWI Global Campus, serving from August 1, 2007, until her retirement on July 31, 2014. During her tenure, she was instrumental in establishing a pathway for accessible and flexible education, particularly focused on reaching underserved communities across the region. Visionary in her approach, she championed online and blended learning modalities to dismantle barriers to higher education.
A respected linguist and educator, she held a PhD in Applied Linguistics from Stanford University. Her passion for literacy, especially among creole speakers, was evident throughout her career. Professor Simmons-McDonald conducted significant research in second language acquisition and vernacular literacy within formal education systems, creating educational resources tailored for her native Saint Lucia.
Her contributions to language education, highlighted by publications on language acquisition and literacy development, culminated in the co-editing of critical volumes such as “Exploring the Boundaries of Caribbean Creole Languages” and “Education Issues in Creole and Creole-Influenced Vernacular Contexts”. In her free time, she nurtured her creative side through poetry and fiction, with works like “Silk Cotton and Other Trees” gaining recognition.
Professor Simmons-McDonald also held various esteemed roles within The UWI, including Head of the Department of Language, Linguistics, and Literature, and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education at the Cave Hill Campus. She was known for her exemplary mentorship and her commitment to uplifting others. Even after her retirement, she remained actively involved in education, providing consultancy to various educational organizations and continuing to guide students pursuing advanced degrees.
Throughout her illustrious career, Professor Simmons-McDonald received numerous accolades, including the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to education and the Saint Lucia Cross, the highest national honor in her country. Her legacy is solidified not only in the achievements of the thousands of students she inspired but also in the institutions she helped shape, which continue to innovate in open and online learning.
As we remember Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald, we honor her as a transformative figure in Caribbean education—one whose spirit of compassion and unwavering commitment will continue to resonate in the hearts of many.