Three HLSCC Alumni Return as Lecturers
Three alumni of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College — Whitney George, Mickalia Wheatley and Radiance Modeste — have returned to the Culinary Department as lecturers, the college said in a press release on November 6, 2025. Their appointments underscore HLSCC’s emphasis on mentorship, applied training and building industry pathways for future hospitality professionals in the Virgin Islands.
Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) have returned to their alma mater as lecturers in the Culinary Department, the college announced in a press release on November 6, 2025. Whitney George, Mickalia Wheatley and Radiance Modeste bring a combined breadth of local and regional experience to the classroom.
The appointments, endorsed by Culinary Department Director Keshia Davis-Barnes, are presented by the college as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen links between education, employment and community impact in the Virgin Islands. "Whitney, Mickalia, and Radiance remind us that HLSCC is not just where journeys begin; it’s where they come full circle," Mrs.
Davis-Barnes said. "Their passion for teaching, professionalism, and commitment to excellence are what keep our programme vibrant and relevant. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them now leading in the very spaces where they once learned." Each new lecturer brings distinct qualifications and practical knowledge.
Whitney George began at HLSCC with an Associate Degree in Business Administration and continued with studies in Hospitality Management at Bethune-Cookman University. George said teaching was not her original plan but has become one of the most fulfilling chapters of her life. Mickalia Wheatley holds Associate Degrees in Hotel Management and Food and Beverage Management from HLSCC and a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of the Virgin Islands.
She is described by the college as a creative, service-driven entrepreneur with strong industry ties. Radiance Modeste is an HLSCC graduate with an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts and more than a decade of culinary experience. She also holds professional certifications in food and beverage management and has worked across some of the Virgin Islands’ notable restaurants, mastering varied cuisines through hands-on practice.
The college said the return of alumni lecturers strengthens HLSCC’s reputation as a cornerstone for professional development and supports its strategic goals of Student Success and Community and Partnerships. The move also ties into the college’s 35th Anniversary theme, "Dream of a Visionary," highlighting alumni who progress from learners to leaders.
For BVI residents, these appointments signal continued investment in the local hospitality and culinary workforce — a sector central to the territory’s economy and tourism offering. With alumni now contributing directly to training, students gain instructors who understand both classroom theory and practical, local industry realities.
The college credited experiential learning, industry partnerships and applied training as key elements that will help these lecturers prepare the next generation of culinary professionals in the Virgin Islands.
Primary source: VINO