There’s a saying that not all heroes wear capes, but there’s no wisdom which states that they can’t wear chic blue jackets. Many who attend UWI events have seen them adorning the student ushers who suit up to ensure proceedings run smoothly. They form a part of a 20-year UWI tradition. Over the years, the system has evolved. The original cohort was about 20 students. Now roughly 300 are available to don their signature blue jackets when needed.

Nandi Mitchell, Senior Student Services Assistant, Careers, Co-curricular and Community Engagement at the Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD) who trains the ushers, explains that the jackets began with a simple print of the UWI crest. Now the crests are embroidered, and the jackets have an elegant lapel.

“That's sort of like a reflection of how it's grown over the years,” she says. “Because the vision always was to have them be recognised as a resource for official campus events.”

Students are recruited at the beginning of the academic year. Prior experience is not required, but they must go through training. Mitchell says the role is a great opportunity to acquire work experience and build important skills.

“I became a student usher because I've never worked before,” says Michael Kelly, who performed his duties in six graduations. “I've been in school my entire life. I wanted to experience what it was like to work with people and to also build a network to help me with future work experiences.”

While networking is valuable, Sabrina Mohammed, who got to see her cousin graduate while she worked, appreciates the heartwarming moments as well.

“Witnessing my people cross the stage filled my heart with great joy,” she recalls. “Simply being in the space allowed for a certain excitement and gratitude for everything in the journey thus far. This experience was quite the full circle moment for me, as I ushered in my first year and now in my final year.”