Two Students Find Confidence at UVI Before Graduation

For Zeidan Bass, those first three months at the University of the Virgin Islands felt lonely and isolating, but they set the stage for something remarkable.

Bass and Trevincia Browne, both from St. Kitts and Nevis, came to UVI seeking more than just degrees. They found a place where they could build confidence at their own pace, somewhere between the comfort of home and the intensity of mainland America.

Bass arrived in St. Thomas in 2023, his first time leaving home. The computer science major ate alone, attended events alone, and struggled to connect. But the people around him weren't unkind. He just needed time to adjust.

That adjustment paid off. By 2024, Bass had been elected Student Leadership Council president. On Thursday, he'll stand before 280 graduates as a student speaker at the St. Thomas commencement ceremony.

Browne's transformation followed a similar path. The accounting major, graduating magna cum laude, said UVI brought her out of her shell in ways she never imagined.

In 2024, she started chairing the student government's entrepreneurial committee. The role pushed her into unfamiliar territory, requiring networking, leadership, and public speaking in front of large crowds for the first time.

"That experience helped me grow in confidence," Browne told UVI Today.

The Ripple Effect

Both students credit their UVI experience with preparing them for bigger challenges ahead. Bass believes the gradual adjustment in the Virgin Islands will make his eventual transition to the fast-paced mainland much smoother than jumping straight from St. Kitts.

Their stories represent a unique role that UVI plays for Caribbean students. The university serves as a bridge, offering American education with a cultural familiarity that helps students find their footing before taking bigger leaps.

UVI President Safiya George celebrated the Class of 2026's resilience and determination. "You carry forward the knowledge, skills, and spirit needed to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact in your communities and beyond," she said.

The graduation ceremonies take place Thursday on St. Thomas and Friday on St. Croix, both starting at 1 p.m. Degrees will span doctoral, graduate, bachelor's, and associate programs across all UVI schools and colleges.

Two students who once struggled to speak up will now help lead their class into the future, carrying confidence earned one uncomfortable step at a time.