The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College was established in 1990 as the British Virgin Islands Community College under the Colleges Act of the year the institution being subsequently renamed in honour of the founding chairman of the College’s Board of Governors, the late Chief Minister, Hon. H. Lavity Stoutt. In fact, the concept of the British Virgin Islands Community College had been developed as far back as 1982 by the late Chief Minister, Honourable H. Lavity Stoutt. With a change in Government in 1983, the idea of a Community College was put on hold to resurface again in 1986. Discussions in this regard were initiated with Dr. Janet Smith of Cuyahoga Community College Ohio, who was assigned the duties of Consultant to the College Project.

A committee chaired by the late Dr. Norwell Harrigan and labelled "The Focus Committee" was organized to hold discussions with the general public and to obtain feedback on whether or not the College was a viable project. After meeting with various community groups, the Focus Committee submitted its report and recommendations.

In January, 1989, the College Project Office was opened and staffed by Mrs. Eileene Parsons who later became the Registrar/Bursar of the College. Dr. Nolen Ellison, President of Cuyahoga Community College, in consultation with Dr. Janet Smith, used the report of the Focus Committee as a curtail component of the resource material necessary to get the College Project off the ground. On recommendations of Drs. Smith and Ellison, four Task Forces were instituted to begin the preliminary planning stages of the College.

A Board of Governors was established and held its inaugural meeting on March 10, 1989. At that meeting an Executive Committee was appointed. This Executive Committee was authorized to operate on behalf of the Board between Board Meetings, which would be held twice a year. In June 1989 Dr. John Wallace of Vermont was appointed to provide guidance to the early operation of the College. During his six months’ stay, a presidential search was undertaken and Dr. Theodore Provo was appointed President in November 1989. By the end of 1989, a building in which to conduct classes was approved for rental, part-time instructors were appointed, and the College’s first courses were approved. Although it was hoped that classes would have commenced in September 1989, the disaster of Hurricane Hugo put all plans on hold.

The BVI Community College held its opening ceremony on January 14, 1990, and classes commenced on January 15 with 135 students enrolled in 19 courses taught by active and retired teachers and civil servants as well as persons from industry.

Mr. Charles Wheatley succeeded Dr. Theodore Provo as President in February 1991. Mr. Wheatley brought a wealth of educational experience and educational contacts from the Caribbean and overseas to the position. Under this new leadership, the institution and its systems and policies were brought more in line with other colleges in the Caribbean, the United States and Canada. During this period (1990-1995), in keeping with a strategy of filing vacancies on a phased and "as needed" basis, the administration of the College was further strengthened by appointment of a Vice President, a Dean of Academic Affairs, a Director of Student Affairs, a Director of Learning Resource Centre/Library, and an Officer for Development and External Affairs. Full-time faculty appointments were made in the areas of Language Studies, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Natural Sciences, and Mathematics. Course offerings were not only increased, but were now organized in programmes that led to certification.

With its dedication on August 15, 1993, the College moved into a new three-storey facility at its Paraquita Bay Campus. This first campus building encompasses some 30,000 square feet and has fifteen classrooms and laboratories on the upper floors, and 4,700 square feet for administrative offices on the ground floor.

For Fall 1977 39 students enrolled in the Executive Bachelor’s Degree Programme

Source: H. Lavity Stoutt Community College