Surveys and Focus Groups Guide USM’s Strategic Vision
October 8, 2025
USM is gathering input from students, educators, civil servants, and staff through surveys and focus groups to guide the development of its Strategic Plan. The initiative reflects USM’s commitment to inclusive planning and strengthening higher education on St. Maarten.
The University of St. Martin has launched a series of targeted surveys and focus group sessions as part of its ongoing efforts to shape the institution’s upcoming Strategic Plan. These activities aim to gather valuable feedback from students, educators, civil servants, and the wider community to help chart the future of higher education and research on St. Maarten.
USM extends its sincere thanks to all the academic high schools on the island that have participated in the student survey to date. Surveys were successfully conducted by a random selection of pre-exam and exam students at St. Dominic High, the IB program, St. Maarten Academy, CAPE, MPC (HAVO, VWO, and CSEC), MAC High, Learning Unlimited, and Charlotte Brookson Academy. The response so far has been excellent, with nearly all surveys completed and returned.
In addition to the surveys, focus group discussions were held with students enrolled in USM’s Caribbean Academic Foundation Year (CAFY) Program. Three sessions were carried out: two on St. Maarten and one with students in St. Eustatius. These sessions provide a platform for students to share their experiences, aspirations, and ideas for how USM can continue to improve and expand its programs and services.
The next phase of the data collection process will focus on civil servants within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS), including department heads and the Secretary General, as well as USM’s own staff and faculty. These groups play a critical role in shaping education and development on the island, and their perspectives will be vital in informing USM’s strategic priorities.
This collaborative approach reflects USM’s commitment to inclusive and data-driven planning, ensuring that the university remains responsive to the needs of students, educators, government, and the community as a whole.
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USM extends its sincere thanks to all the academic high schools on the island that have participated in the student survey to date. Surveys were successfully conducted by a random selection of pre-exam and exam students at St. Dominic High, the IB program, St. Maarten Academy, CAPE, MPC (HAVO, VWO, and CSEC), MAC High, Learning Unlimited, and Charlotte Brookson Academy. The response so far has been excellent, with nearly all surveys completed and returned.
In addition to the surveys, focus group discussions were held with students enrolled in USM’s Caribbean Academic Foundation Year (CAFY) Program. Three sessions were carried out: two on St. Maarten and one with students in St. Eustatius. These sessions provide a platform for students to share their experiences, aspirations, and ideas for how USM can continue to improve and expand its programs and services.
The next phase of the data collection process will focus on civil servants within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS), including department heads and the Secretary General, as well as USM’s own staff and faculty. These groups play a critical role in shaping education and development on the island, and their perspectives will be vital in informing USM’s strategic priorities.
This collaborative approach reflects USM’s commitment to inclusive and data-driven planning, ensuring that the university remains responsive to the needs of students, educators, government, and the community as a whole.
Latest News →
