UCCI ASSISTANT PROFESSOR SETS A NEW PRECEDENT WITH ONLINE DOCTORATE ACHIEVEMENT

The University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) is proud to announce a remarkable academic achievement by one of its esteemed faculty members, Mrs. Susanne Palmer, Assistant Professor in the Division of Business and Finance.

Mrs. Palmer has set a new standard in academic excellence and perseverance by becoming the first distance student (and the first member of her cohort) to complete the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) programme at the Mona School of Business and Management, the University of the West Indies, Jamaica.

In January 2015, Mrs. Palmer embarked on this challenging journey as a distance student. The DBA programme was structured for traditional face-to-face delivery but Mrs. Palmer was granted permission to pursue the degree in distance format. Despite the complexities of studying fully online while her peers atended in person, her dedication and hard work have culminated in her obtaining her Doctorate.

Mrs. Palmer successfully defended her dissertation titled ‘Managing A Diverse Workforce: Exploring the Role of Multiculturalism in Work Teams in the Cayman Islands’ on December 8, 2023.

Dr. Robert W. Robertson, President, and CEO of the University College of the Cayman Islands, commented, “Mrs. Palmer’s achievement is a testament to her unwavering commitment and passion for academic excellence. Her success as a distance learner highlights the potential of online education and its vital role in the future of higher learning. We at UCCI are incredibly proud of her and hope her journey inspires both students and faculty alike.”

Reflecting on her experience, Mrs. Palmer shared, “This journey has been both challenging and rewarding. It reaffirms the power of perseverance, the importance of a supportive community, and the transformative impact of education. I had an amazing support network from my family, UCCI colleagues, church family and supervisory team, and the faculty and staff at the University of the West Indies. I am deeply honoured to have had this opportunity and hope my experience can inspire others to pursue their academic dreams and realise that in 2023 distance is no longer a barrier to achieving your dreams.”