Boosting enrolment numbers, creating cultural exchange programmes and building stronger community relationships are among the goals of Bermuda College’s new president.

David Sam officially assumed the role on August 5 and said he hoped to take advantage of his extensive contacts in education to enhance the institution’s offerings.

Dr Sam, who is originally from Ghana and has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, says he is a product of international education and exchange.

He has served as president of Elgin Community College in Illinois, and was previously president at North Harris College in Texas.

Dr Sam told The Royal Gazette: “I will look to see if we can create an exchange for some students here and even faculty and staff.

“We had exchange programmes in the culinary arts area in Austria, France and Italy. I'm looking forward to those types of programmes here. I know the value of that.

“My native country was Ghana and I went to the US in a high school environment. It was a cultural immersion, and after those experiences I decided I wanted to go there to study.”

Another of the president’s priorities is to increase student enrolment at Bermuda College.

In 2018, there were 712 students enrolled overall, according to the 2022-23 annual report.

That figure has been steadily in decline, with 583 in 2022 and, as of today, about 400 students.

The college has the capacity for more than 1,000 students, and Dr Sam stressed that enrolment for the upcoming term remains open, with classes officially starting on August 26.

He said: “Addressing that decline is paramount. We have to make sure that people are aware that they have a great asset right here.

“We can help you do the first two years of the International Baccalaureate programme before you transfer or we can train you so you can step into the work environment immediately.

“We will do marketing and use every opportunity we can to get our name out there. There are many events in the community and we would like to be visible so people will see and know about us.”

Dr Sam has been a college professor and says he has “a deep appreciation and passion” for community colleges.

He said he intends to build stronger relationships in the community including forming business partnerships that can assist with student career progression.

Dr Sam explained: “We would like students to have the working experience before they get their diplomas.

“There is nothing better than having hands-on experience and that opens opportunities for you to be employed, sometimes by the same organisation, so we want to expand upon that.”

Dr Sam is the seventh president of Bermuda College. He holds a doctorate of philosophy in international relations from Tufts University, a juris doctorate from the University of Akron, a Master of Laws in energy law and policy from the University of Dundee, a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University, a Master of Arts in law and diplomacy from Tufts, a Master of Arts in international development, also from Tufts, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics, history and political science from Illinois State University.

Dr Sam replaces Duranda Greene, who stepped down last year. He said he intends to address recent leadership transition challenges at the college.

Phyllis Curtis-Tweed served as interim president until last summer. She left to become provost and vice-president at Queensborough Community College in New York City. Since then, Branwen Smith-King has served as interim president.

Dr Sam said there was also a chief financial post open.

“There are vice-presidencies and other roles that remain vacant,” he said. “Part of my role is to make sure that we stabilise and fill the roles.”

This is an important move as the college prepares for its accreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education, to take place next April.

While much work was already done in this area before his arrival, including the creation of a strategic plan, Dr Sam said he will help to communicate that work with the commission.

He added: “They want to make sure that the faculty has the credentials, that the curriculum is up to date and you have the resources to be able to run the programmes.”

The college is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Dr Sam added: “We have a series of things we are doing and we have a wonderful foundation raising funds to help improve the campus environment and position us better to advance the mission of the institution.”

He revealed that he lost his wife recently, and that when his children treated him to a trip to Jamaica, he thought about starting afresh in “the islands”.

“This past year was very difficult for me,” he said. “After we got back from the trip, I saw this position was being advertised.

“I spoke to the head hunter about it and read more. The timing was right and I felt I could work in this kind of environment.”

While he was due to arrive on the island this week, Dr Sam came early after he heard that Bermuda’s biggest cultural and sporting celebration, Cup Match, was taking place.

“It was exciting to see all the passion and festivities,” he said.