Dean of Academics Ends Impactful Tenure at USM
June 23, 2025
After nearly two years of visionary leadership, Dr. Gale T.C. Rigobert concludes her tenure as Dean of Academics at USM. Known for her bold reforms, public engagement, and regional advocacy, she leaves behind a stronger, more future-ready university.
Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – Effective June 23, 2025, after a dynamic and impactful tenure, Dr. Gale Rigobert steps down as Dean of Academics at the University of St. Martin (USM), after nearly two years.
Appointed in 2023, Dr. Rigobert brought with her a formidable blend of academic excellence and public policy experience, having served as Saint Lucia’s Minister of Education and as an internationally respected scholar in development policy, education reform, and technology integration. Her appointment marked a turning point for USM, which has since emerged as a more visible, engaged, and increasingly future-ready institution under her stewardship.
Dr. Rigobert’s tenure was characterized by curriculum innovation and reform, the strengthening of institutional quality assurance mechanisms, and deliberate efforts to align USM’s academic offerings with labor market demands. She introduced a pioneering co-curricular credit policy slated for implementation in 2026, designed to promote holistic student development and better prepare graduates for the complexities of modern work and citizenship. Her leadership also saw a reinvigoration of the university’s public education mandate through a series of thought-provoking lecture series and thematic symposiums that brought students, scholars, NGOs, and policymakers into meaningful dialogue.
One of the most notable highlights of her final months was the successful hosting of the Creative Industries Symposium on June 7, 2025, under the theme “Exploring the Orange Economy: Creative Industries, Film & TV, Sustainability, Education.” The symposium convened an impressive cross-section of local, regional and international stakeholders from Africa, Australia, Dubai, CARICOM, Germany, St. Martin and the UK. The economic potential and cultural impact of the creative sector in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was explored through provocative, insightful and interdisciplinary panels on film production, education for creative futures, intellectual property rights, and cultural entrepreneurship. The event elevated USM’s reputation as a convener of regional and international policy dialogue and cultural innovation.
Throughout her tenure, Dr. Rigobert was instrumental in cultivating deeper relationships with national, regional, and international partners. She advocated for the integration of artificial intelligence, educational technology, and sustainability into the academic fabric endeavoring to position USM as one of the Caribbean’s forward-thinking institutions.
Dr. Rigobert is credited with infusing a sense of purpose, professionalism, and renewed ambition into the university’s culture.
Reflecting on her departure, Dr. Rigobert expressed deep appreciation for her time at USM. “I remain proud of what we have accomplished together. USM has proven that even small institutions can punch above their weight when there is shared vision and collective will,” she said.
When asked what’s next, she smiled broadly and replied, “#DoingMe.” As a distinguished International Relations scholar, Dr. Rigobert now plans to focus more intently on her scholarship and consultancy work offering expertise in gender relations, education reform, sustainability, digital transformation, policy, and development in SIDS while also embracing a slower pace and tending to her beloved plants.
As she closes this chapter, Dr. Rigobert leaves behind a more visible institution positioned to make a greater contribution to the island.
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Appointed in 2023, Dr. Rigobert brought with her a formidable blend of academic excellence and public policy experience, having served as Saint Lucia’s Minister of Education and as an internationally respected scholar in development policy, education reform, and technology integration. Her appointment marked a turning point for USM, which has since emerged as a more visible, engaged, and increasingly future-ready institution under her stewardship.
Dr. Rigobert’s tenure was characterized by curriculum innovation and reform, the strengthening of institutional quality assurance mechanisms, and deliberate efforts to align USM’s academic offerings with labor market demands. She introduced a pioneering co-curricular credit policy slated for implementation in 2026, designed to promote holistic student development and better prepare graduates for the complexities of modern work and citizenship. Her leadership also saw a reinvigoration of the university’s public education mandate through a series of thought-provoking lecture series and thematic symposiums that brought students, scholars, NGOs, and policymakers into meaningful dialogue.
One of the most notable highlights of her final months was the successful hosting of the Creative Industries Symposium on June 7, 2025, under the theme “Exploring the Orange Economy: Creative Industries, Film & TV, Sustainability, Education.” The symposium convened an impressive cross-section of local, regional and international stakeholders from Africa, Australia, Dubai, CARICOM, Germany, St. Martin and the UK. The economic potential and cultural impact of the creative sector in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was explored through provocative, insightful and interdisciplinary panels on film production, education for creative futures, intellectual property rights, and cultural entrepreneurship. The event elevated USM’s reputation as a convener of regional and international policy dialogue and cultural innovation.
Throughout her tenure, Dr. Rigobert was instrumental in cultivating deeper relationships with national, regional, and international partners. She advocated for the integration of artificial intelligence, educational technology, and sustainability into the academic fabric endeavoring to position USM as one of the Caribbean’s forward-thinking institutions.
Dr. Rigobert is credited with infusing a sense of purpose, professionalism, and renewed ambition into the university’s culture.
Reflecting on her departure, Dr. Rigobert expressed deep appreciation for her time at USM. “I remain proud of what we have accomplished together. USM has proven that even small institutions can punch above their weight when there is shared vision and collective will,” she said.
When asked what’s next, she smiled broadly and replied, “#DoingMe.” As a distinguished International Relations scholar, Dr. Rigobert now plans to focus more intently on her scholarship and consultancy work offering expertise in gender relations, education reform, sustainability, digital transformation, policy, and development in SIDS while also embracing a slower pace and tending to her beloved plants.
As she closes this chapter, Dr. Rigobert leaves behind a more visible institution positioned to make a greater contribution to the island.
Latest News →
