BERMUDA COLLEGE – "Many paths. Discover Yours."

The Executive

President:  David Sam, PhD, JD, LL.M

Interim Vice-President Academic Affairs:  Ali Arouzi, PhD

Interim Vice-President Student Affairs: Nikkita Scott, EdM, M.A.

Chief Financial Officer:  Scott Wade, CPA, BComm, Accounting 

Special Projects Coordinator: Necheeka Trott, MBA  M.A.

Corporate Culture & Conveniences

Visit the Bookstore on the 1^st floor of the College Centre for Snacks and Supplies.

You can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the college bookstore, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Bermuda College observes Casual Fridays.  Smart/Casual (Business Casual) clothing may be worn on Fridays.

There are no assigned parking spaces; parking is free.

BERMUDA COLLEGE ESTABLISHED IN LAW

The Bermuda College was created by the Parliament of Bermuda through the passage of the Bermuda College Act in 1974. Under this Act, a Board of Governors, numbering twelve, have the responsibility for the direction and management of the College. This provision for the governance of Bermuda’s only post-secondary educational institution was patterned after similar Governing Acts of state-funded universities in the USA and Canada. A Board of Governors  keeps the academic activities of the College independent of the political process, and enables the College to accept cultural and leadership roles in the community.

AMALGAMATION OF THE THREE INSTITUTIONS

The College began with the amalgamation of three flourishing institutions: the Bermuda Hotel and Catering College established in 1965, the Bermuda Technical Institute (1956) and the Academic Sixth Form Center (1976). Some of these institutions had even earlier antecedents and provided opportunities for education and training in the main areas needed by Bermuda in its developing economy. Under the energetic leadership of the Board’s first Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mansfield H. Brock Jr. (1974-1977), the College made great strides in upgrading and developing curricula for the education and training of young Bermudians.

Advisory Committees, established with membership drawn from professionals in local businesses, helped to develop programs for the major trade areas to ensure that Bermuda College graduates are well equipped for employment.  

The current president is Dr. David Sam. Previous presidents were: Dr. Duranda Greene, Dr. Charles Green, Dr. Michael Orenduff, Dr. Charles Cook and Dr. Archie Hallett.

DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS

Similarly, the basic programs for hospitality and for business were developed. The university preparatory work of the Sixth Form Center was developed to match the educational pattern of the North American universities and enable students to obtain credit at four-year institutions for the work completed at Bermuda College. This program was initially offered as an alternative to the GCE ‘A’ levels and its success in gaining recognition in North American universities soon made it the primary program for university transfer.

CAMPUS

In 1974 the College had separate facilities, which were used by the three beginning institutions during their independent existence. But from its formation, the College’s Board had contemplated a single college campus for all its programs. To this end, the Board acquired the Stonington property in 1978. A master plan was developed, and the Bermuda Government provided funds to commence the construction of the campus in 1979. The Stonington Beach Hotel and the building housing the teaching kitchens and hotel service laboratories were finished and occupied in September 1980.

The Stonington Beach Hotel was built, primarily,  to give the students in several hotel-oriented programs their practical experience. 

The building program continued with New Hall, now Hallett Hall (opened in 1988), the Student Center (1990), the College Center (1991), the Library (1992) and the Faculty Center, now West Hall (1993). The opening of North Hall and Technical Hall in 1996 completed the single college campus envisioned by the Board.  In 2022, the Athene Career Development Centre was completed by expansion and renovation to Hallett Hall.

UNIVERSITY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES

Program developments have been in two main directions:

1. Maintaining relevance of the programs to evolving market demands and, 
2. Responding to demands for greater university-transfer opportunities.  

Demands in Bermuda for extensive use of computers and word processing were met by the creation of a substantial computer facility, featuring a wireless network over the entire College site, offices, and classrooms.

The initial concept of the university-transfer program was extended to other areas, particularly in Business, Hospitality and Applied Science. The college's Academic Council, which is made up of administrators and faculty, maintains a close watch on the standards and the acceptability of Bermuda College courses. In 1992, the Council approved a proposal to offer associate degrees in place of existing Diplomas, thus bringing the College more in line with practices in universities and colleges overseas. In 2005, Bermuda College was granted candidacy for accreditation in the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).  Bermuda College became accredited by NECHE in November 2010 and has maintained her accreditation, since.

The College’s three academic divisions now offer thirteen Associate's Degree programs, which are recognized for credit in the institutions overseas. In addition, the College boasts over 30 articulation agreements with tertiary institutions in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and the West Indies, which allow students to earn credits in Bermuda for credit abroad. The articulations specify 2 +2, with the stipulation that students take the prescribed curricula and maintain a G.P.A.  of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0. The College also offers fourteen certificate programs.

Two Foundation Year  programmes (one for UK-bound students and and another one for students who desire to study in Canada or the USA) allow students to study   one year at Bermuda College and earn a Foundation Year Certificate.   The Foundation Year Certificate allows BC students   to earn credits for matriculation at institutions in the locations of their choice, without losing credits or time.

The College’s Centre of Professional and Career Education, in addition to offering career development and certificate programs, also provides (for those who work full-time) the opportunity to gain further qualifications and have upward mobility through part-time academic and professional programs and courses.

In 2002 the College adopted a new mission statement concentrating on student success in line with the College’s role as a community college: “Setting Bermuda’s students on the paths to success.” In 2018, the Mission Statement was revised and now boasts the tag line:   "Many Paths; Discover Yours."   The College employs approximately 110 faculty and support staff and a varying number of adjunct lecturers, based on program needs.

A glimpse of the departments that operate within the college:

CLAS - Centre for Learning and Academic Success

Division of Business Administration, Hospitality, and Applied Science

Division of Arts and Science

Division of Nursing and Allied Health

PACE – Professional and Career Education

SERR-Student Enrolment, Registration, and Records

HRD-Centre for Human Resource Development

ITS - Information Technology Services

ACS-Academic Computing Services and HELP DESK

The Business Services Department - Accounts and Payroll