CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – July 16, 2026 – A long-standing partnership between the Medical University of the Americas (MUA) and the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) has opened new doors for higher education on the Caribbean island, with two emerging local educators selected as the 2026 recipients of the joint full-tuition scholarship program.
Chosen from a competitive pool of eight applicants, Michaela Maynard and Aliyah Sampson will receive full funding to complete up to four years of undergraduate study anywhere in the world, covering all core expenses including tuition, accommodation, meal plans, and additional academic costs. Unlike common misconceptions about the program, the scholarship is not restricted to medical studies at MUA; it is designed to support Nevisian students pursuing any undergraduate degree, with priority given to fields that address critical local workforce gaps.
At the July 13 award ceremony, Honourable Senator Jahnel Nisbett, Nevis’ Minister of Health, formally congratulated the two recipients, highlighting the program’s unique value for young island residents. “Too many people misunderstand this scholarship as only for those wanting to study medicine at MUA, but this is a true collaboration between our administration and the university,” Nisbett explained. “We fund degrees in any field, as long as those fields meet Nevis’ most pressing development needs. What we ask in return is that recipients commit to returning to Nevis after graduation to use their skills to lift our community up.”
Both scholars have selected degree programs directly aligned with local needs: Sampson will enroll in a Bachelor of Psychology program at Midwestern University, while Maynard will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Development at Liberty University.
Nisbett emphasized that the flexible structure of the scholarship makes it an unparalleled opportunity for Nevisian youth, noting that students can choose to study in any country and select a program that matches their career goals. She encouraged more young residents to apply for future cycles of the program, noting that the opportunity removes the financial barriers that often prevent local students from pursuing higher education abroad.
Dr. Brenda Roman, Associate Dean at MUA, shared that the university has prioritized investing in Nevis’ local workforce through this partnership for years. To date, the program has awarded more than 30 full scholarships to eligible Nevisian students, expanding access to tertiary education for residents who might otherwise lack the financial means to attend university. “As a psychiatrist, I am especially delighted that this year’s recipients chose to study psychology and family and child development – two fields that are so critical to the long-term well-being of our island community,” Dr. Roman said. “Nevis has become a home to me, and I know these young women will return to make it an even better place to live and work.”
Speaking after accepting the award, Maynard expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, crediting the MUA, NIA, her family, and her friends for their unwavering support. She shared that her passion for supporting children developed at a young age, when she began mentoring younger peers in her community, and that this opportunity will allow her to turn that lifelong passion into a career supporting Nevis’ families.
Sampson echoed that gratitude, saying she was deeply honored to be selected and committed to upholding the standards of the scholarship throughout her academic career.
Cindy McLoud, CEO of GUS North America, also offered formal congratulations on behalf of the entire MUA institutional community, wishing the two recipients every success as they begin their studies.
The ceremony drew a wide audience of stakeholders, including members of the joint scholarship review committee, representatives from Nevis’ Ministry of Health and Department of Education, MUA leadership, family and friends of the recipients, and other community well-wishers. As a collaborative investment in Nevis’ future, the scholarship program continues to build a pipeline of skilled local professionals to address the island’s long-term social and economic development goals.