Tribute to Professor Emerita Hazel Simmons-McDonald, Former Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Global Campus

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Global Campus joins the wider UWI community in mourning the passing of Professor Emerita Hazel Simmons-McDonald, eminent academic, regional educational leader and advocate for equity and inclusion in teaching and learning.  Her loss is deeply felt across the Region, and her legacy will continue as a beacon for generations to come.

Professor Simmons-McDonald served as the first Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus—now The UWI Global Campus —from August 1, 2007, until July 31, 2014, when she retired.  She led the Campus during its formative years, forging a new pathway for accessible, flexible education that would transform the lives of people across the Region. Her vision was to remove barriers to higher education by leveraging online and blended learning modalities to reach the underserved communities of the Region.

A distinguished linguist and educator, Professor Simmons-McDonald held a PhD in Applied Linguistics from Stanford University and devoted her career to improving literacy, particularly among creole speakers. Her research interests included second language acquisition, the development of literacy by creole and creole-influenced vernacular speakers, and vernacular literacy within the formal context. She made seminal contributions to the development of language teaching and curriculum in multilingual environments, including the creation of instructional materials in Kwéyòl for schools in her native Saint Lucia.  Her work was grounded in deep respect for Caribbean identity, language and culture.

Her publications included articles and book chapters on language acquisition, language education policy, literacy development, language and culture and open and distance learning.  She published several English language texts for use at secondary and tertiary levels and co-edited the volumes: Exploring the Boundaries of Caribbean Creole Languages and Education Issues in Creole and Creole-Influenced Vernacular Contexts, which appeared in 2005 and 2014, respectively.  She wrote poetry and fiction as a hobby and has published in both genres.

Throughout her tenure at The UWI, Professor Simmons-McDonald served with distinction as Head of the Department of Language, Linguistics and Literature; Deputy Dean of Outreach; Deputy Dean – Planning;  and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education at the Cave Hill Campus. She embodied excellence, mentorship and grace and was not only a builder of institutions, but also people.  She was always willing to listen, support and uplift others, and as Professor Emerita, continued to supervise students pursuing higher degrees in Applied Linguistics and related fields.

Professor Simmons-McDonald was recognised regionally and internationally for her outstanding service and scholarly impact, as evidenced in the honours that she received over the years.  These include the Order of the British Empire (OBE), which was awarded to her in 2012 for her contribution to education; the Frank Collymore Literary Award in 2018 for her creative writing; and the Saint Lucia Cross (SLC), the country’s highest national honour, awarded for her service to education and the preservation and promotion of the Kwéyòl language in 2022. She also received several awards and distinctions for her poetry and fiction, including the publication of her collections Silk Cotton and Other Trees and  Shabine and Other Stories.

Even after her formal retirement in 2014, Professor Simmons-McDonald continued to contribute her expertise through consultancies with the OECS, the Caribbean Examinations Council and the Erdiston Teachers’ College Literacy Diagnostic and Early Intervention training programme, among others. She was a dedicated member of the Society for Caribbean Linguistics,  serving as Secretary from 1996-2002, and as President from 2006-2008, and championing  Caribbean language research and education.

Her leadership of The UWI Open Campus laid a strong foundation for what is today The UWI Global Campus, a vibrant, modern institution that continues to break new ground in open and online learning. Thousands of graduates across the Region owe their academic journeys, in large part to her foresight and tireless advocacy for educational access. As we bid farewell to this remarkable Caribbean woman, we honour her not only as a scholar and leader, but as a gentle spirit who served with wisdom, compassion and unwavering purpose.

Tributes from her Friends and Colleagues

Honourable Dr June Soomer, SLC

Chair of the Global Campus of The University of the West Indies

Hazel Simmons McDonald has been given her angelic wings, but she has bequeathed to Saint Lucia a legacy of influencing and impacting numerous youths not only in her own country but throughout the Region.  As a former student of Ms Simmons, I remember her indomitable spirit of nurturing that instilled in us a thirst for knowledge for ourselves as Saint Lucians and as people of the Caribbean.  It was evident in her love for her pioneering work in everything creole and her writings as a linguist – a calling to identity and self-love.

Our paths would cross many times during her earthly journey.  Our second major encounter would be at the Cave Hill Campus, where she taught linguistics and by then, Professor Simmons McDonald’s contribution was already lauded by the Region.  She was involved in contributing to readers in Saint Lucia and in the development of the curriculum at CXC. We would meet near the office overlooking the Quadrangle to reminisce about home and the longing to return to make a contribution to the country of our birth.  We both realised that our contributions could be made even from a distance, and we committed to that until we could again reside in the island that she would always see as home.

Many years would pass before we again crossed paths when I became Chair of the Open Campus in 2018.  She offered advice and spent time updating me on the history and philosophy of that virtual space that brought learning to people in the OECS long before there was a landed campus in that Region – still my teacher.  Her leadership and commitment to life-long learning was at the foundation of that campus. Our recent conversations on the renaming of the campus to the Global Campus centred on the sustainability of the entity and its importance in uplifting the people of the Region by giving more access to persons in rural areas.  I will be forever grateful for the guidance and the vision she expressed – it was one of her creations.

In 2023, we were both called by Dame Pearlette Louisy and the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to present lectures at the Nobel Laureate Festival.  She would present on Sir Derek Walcott, while I presented on Sir Arthur Lewis. Her exploration of “Walcott’s Plays – A Creative Exploration of Saint Lucian Culture and Identity” gave the audience a new understanding of her tremendous capacity as a researcher, as she delivered new insights into the work of Sir Derek.  The delivery was as outstanding as the content.

Our most recent physical encounter was in Trinidad and Tobago in January this year, where she presented a detailed and passionate discourse on behalf of OECS nationals nominated for the SAGBA Awards. 

The entire Eminent Persons selection committee agreed that we would want her to present on our accomplishments if we had been nominated for an award.  Her delivery exemplified the humanity that she brought to all of her endeavours.

As she moves into her new home, like the Orchid of which she wrote, I know that she will never die and that her beauty and resilience will remain with all of us.  May she rest in eternal peace.     

Dr Francis O. Severin

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Global Campus

The news of the passing of Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald has come to us like a ‘thunderbolt from the sky’ and brings with it a profound sensibility of sadness and gloom that is difficult to express in words. As the first Campus Principal of our Campus, at the time Open Campus (now Global Campus), it feels like a mother has departed from her offspring. This is the void and emptiness that we collectively and individually feel.

Although many staff members of the Global Campus recall Professor Simmons-McDonald as our first Principal, it may not be widely known that the distance education and outreach sector have been part of her “formal” mission since 1973, when she served as a Resident Tutor/University Representative (1973-1974), School of Continuing Studies (SCS), a little over five decades ago. Her ascension to the post as the first Principal of the transformative Open Campus was therefore fitting and apt.

One of my earliest interactions with her was when I hosted the Society for Caribbean Linguistics (SCL) as Resident Tutor and Head, SCS, in Dominica in the early 2000s. She was its President at the time. It was a privilege for me to later serve as Director, Open Campus Country Sites under her distinguished Principalship. There are myriad accomplishments that we can point to as part of her tenure as Campus Principal, but I wish to point out our recent ceremony to commemorate the reopening of the extended and renovated buildings at The UWI Global Campus St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday, May 23, 2025, which she must be fundamentally credited for. To be sure, not long after becoming Principal, Professor Simmons-McDonald met with Prime Minister Dr the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves to discuss developmental plans for the then UWI Open Campus St. Vincent and the Grenadines Site. Without her initial action, and diligent input, we would possibly not have witnessed this relaunching of a magnificent Site. She worked tirelessly to develop the initial proposal and continuously edited it to meet the CDB’s standards, while working with the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to accomplish the goal. 

On a more personal note, Professor Simmons-McDonald never forgot our birthdays and in fact a few days ago she reached out to me to extend birthday wishes, as she did every year. I am aware that many colleagues have had these warm and personal experiences, for birthdays and other red-letter days. She simply touched our lives personally and professionally. Years ago, I merely mentioned to her that my daughter, although in the science stream, had a keen interest in Literature. Soon after, she handed me a gift of her books to give to my daughter. I will never forget this.

There is so much more I would like to say, but I pray for the tranquil and eternal repose of her soul. I pray for strength for her husband, children and grandchildren. We have lost a beautiful person whose passing brings spontaneous sadness. We owe her a debt of gratitude that we will never be able to repay.

Dr Luz Longsworth,

Former Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus

Professor Hazel Simmons McDonald was the first Principal and PVC of the Open Campus.  She provided the leadership for the foundation of that structure and was passionate about its role in expanding access to the underserved communities of the Region. Her energy in sourcing funding for the expansion and survival of the Open Campus was amazing resulting in the acquisition of over CAD$19 million from the Canadian Government for the Strengthening Distance Education in the Caribbean, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) support for the expansion and renovation of the Open Campus Site in St Vincent and the Grenadines and acquisition of land at Hope Estate in Grenada among others. As one of her successors, I had the privilege of building on her legacy, which will live on as the Campus continues to grow on that foundation. May she Rest In Peace.

Professor Emerita Vivienne Roberts

Former Deputy Principal, The UWI Open Campus

Her petite figure, short stature, soft voice and unassuming manner contrasted sharply with the giant contribution and phenomenal impact which Hazel Simmons-McDonald had on The University of the West Indies, in general, and The UWI Open Campus, in particular. She was an outstanding academic, researcher, teacher and writer as well as a pioneering leader, the first Principal of The UWI Open Campus. The record shows that during her tenure, there was remarkable growth in student enrolment and noteworthy expansion in programme offerings, enabled by her boldness in attracting significant funding for the campus from the Canadian government. Professor Simmons-McDonald will be remembered for the extensive infrastructural work that was carried out at several Open Campus Sites across the Region during her tenure, and especially for her successful negotiations related to the donation of several acres of land to the Open Campus by the Government of Grenada”.

Working alongside her, as her deputy, I observed her vision, courage, diligence, creativity, leadership and strength. She moved her team along with her, and at every step of the way, she shared her plans. I knew she was about to share something important when she addressed me as “Deps”.

Hazel published academic books, short stories and poetry and was in the process of writing a novel. She was the consummate artist. Her talent extended to designing and creating intricate cross-stitch artwork – many pieces, worthy of a place in a fine arts museum. She did these even when her vision was failing. I was lucky enough to receive one as a gift. She loved music and was good at impersonating jazz singers. She loved to dance and had fun at gatherings, at work or at home.

It was not long ago that I got a tour of the amazing garden at her St Joseph home. Standing in the shadow of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she expressed doubt about whether she would be able to complete the masterpiece which she had been creating. It now rests with her family to put on the finishing touches and allow the public to enjoy that special treasure.

Hazel spoke softly and cried easily. She mastered the art of using words delicately, incisively and with humour. She was a deeply spiritual person and her insightful reflections on religion will be missed. A connoisseur of good food and wine, the foodie encounters that we shared will long be remembered and treasured.

She was a kind person, often sharing the fruits from her orchard. Open Campus staff at Cave Hill looked forward to her delicious muffins and special bread which she baked and gave as Christmas gifts.

Hazel Simmons-McDonald was a distinguished academic, leader, colleague and friend. She lived her life fully and with generosity. May she Rest in Peace.

The UWI Global Campus’ Senior Management Team and staff across the Region mourn her passing and extend deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by her life and work.

May her soul rest in eternal peace.