UWI Today sits down with University Registrar Dr Maurice Smith
Upon first glance, the new University Registrar, Dr Maurice Smith is not what you would expect. Tall with a muscular stature, he resembles an NFL quarterback more than a member of academia. Yet, once he speaks, he commands the room like a veteran educator, immediately drawing his audience in like pupils in a classroom who suddenly grasp a difficult concept on the blackboard for the first time.
He quickly explains that he has navigated many spaces and all of them have been on purpose. “I've never had a job that I didn't enjoy going to; the university is no different.” From someone else's mouth, this statement would sound like a humblebrag discreetly showcasing a perfectly linear career. Indeed on paper, Smith's résumé reads like a highlight reel: Jamaican Fulbright Scholar, Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Policy (with high commendation) from Howard University. Add in prestigious awards such as the Jamaica Governor General's Achievement Award (2019) and the Prime Minister's Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education (2016), and the list goes on. While those accolades certainly precede Dr Smith's reputation, what speaks louder is his belief in the role that his church and education played in his life to help him walk in his truth.
“I grew up with my mother and my grandmother and two brothers and between being born and leaving high school, we would have probably moved six times. During one of those times, we lived in a church neighbour's basement. I felt demoralised. This was not my best life and couldn't be why God would have placed us on earth.” His eyes don't waver but his voice is heavy with the memory of his upbringing. So it is surprising when he follows with, “Childhood for me was great. We had great support because we went to church. It was there we got a sense of hope and a word that said, ‘tomorrow is always better'. Being the last child, I knew that I had to take the family one rung higher.”
That strong work ethic came from his mother. “She was a bright woman; she did not go beyond high school but she was talented and did not have the opportunity. The challenge for us was to do well. So even if opportunities were not given to us, we could create them and the best way to create opportunity is through education.”
Dr Smith not only excelled in education, but also transformed the education system in Jamaica. He is credited as establishing the Belmont Academy; Jamaica's first Centre of Excellence. He is a former Principal Director of the National College for Educational Leadership and, in 2015, was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.
Not even a year into his appointment (August 1, 2019), he injects this vitality and belief in excellence into his role as University Registrar. He heads up the regional Office of Administration, a job that is as wide as it is deep. He is responsible for “the custody of the Common Seal and for affixing it to authorise documents in accordance with the Statutes and Ordinances” according to Statute 13 of the University Statutes and Ordinances. He acts as Secretary for a number of bodies across the University system including the University Council, the Senate, and any standing, special or advisory committees set up by the Council or Senate.
Dr Smith succeeds C William Iton, who held the position of University Registrar for 12 years.
He visualises a UWI that is more efficient, more people- centred: “I want to ensure that we become leaner, and much more efficient in business processes...that we become harmonised so that our five campuses are speaking the same language. We want The UWI to continue being a first-class, quality institution with a fully comprehensive Human Resources framework; where we recruit and retain the best staff, and we promote people transparently and fairly. We ensure that we have faculty and staff who want to give their best to their students and the institution.”
Such an ambitious agenda will have its challenges but Dr Smith is ready to face those head on. “I think the key to change is to continue the dialogue and engage people so that they don't feel like change is thrust upon them. We make sure that their views are respected - even if we may disagree, we work our way through till we see it done.” Just as in his childhood experience, he sees these goals being achieved with a great team: “I think of myself not as a singular individual, my team members are a replication of me. We are working collaboratively and cooperatively. It's a huge job, but I have people with huge talent and a great love for this organisation. We're getting it done, one day at a time.”
With an open smile, he relaxes his demeanour and says, “It's a great time to be in the university, we're creating a world-class university for another 70, 140, another 240 years and I am privileged to be a part of the process.” University Registrar Smith is a living reminder that when we walk in conviction, work hard and come together, our beliefs can transform us and impact our world.
