Caribbean Officials to Visit MSU

Since 1991, Midwestern State University has recruited almost 1,300 students from the Eastern Caribbean. This year marks 25 years since the arrival of the first two students. Caribbean government education and college officials will visit the MSU campus this week for the first time to celebrate the relationship. 

The officials include the Ministers of Education from the island nations of Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica. They are elected officials and part of the cabinet responsible for education in those countries. 

Dr. Randy Glean, Director of International Services, said that the officials were invited to become familiar with the MSU campus and its international procedures, such as admissions and the financial aid process. "They'll see how our university works," Glean said. 

The officials will also have the opportunity to interact with the students that their countries have sent to Wichita Falls. Their arrival will coincide with the annual CaribFest celebration that begins Thursday and they will participate in the activities. 

MSU has recruited Caribbean students through agreements with the local colleges and the island governments, essentially making MSU the primary foreign university for the countries of Antigua and Barbuda; Dominica; Grenada; St. Kitts and Nevis; and Saint Lucia. MSU also has a significant contingent from the Bahamas as well. 

The Caribbean student delegation is currently more than 280 students, representing almost 5 percent of MSU's total enrollment. Additionally, more than 60 graduates have settled into the local community after graduation as nurses, engineers, teachers, and other professionals. Many have bought houses and raised their families here. Throughout the history of the program, over 90 percent of Caribbean recruits have earned degrees here. Many go on to enroll in MSU's graduate school, and a significant number have earned master's and doctoral degrees from other institutions.