EDUCATION

Clemson University—Clemson, SC December 2008

Ph. D. in Policy Studies

• Dissertation Title: Agritourism as a Viable Strategy for Economic Diversification: A Case Study Analysis of Policy Options for The Bahamas

Clemson University—Clemson, SC May 2004

M.S. in Agricultural & Applied Economics

• Research Work: Analysis of production management and profitability of establishing a biomedical swine facility at Starkey Center

Tuskegee University—Tuskegee, AL May 2002

B.S. in Animal and Poultry Science

• Minor in Business (Cum Laude)

WORK EXPERIENCE

The College of The Bahamas

Liaison for Bahamas Agricultural Marine Science Institute 2013-2015

• Organize the working groups for the formation of the Institute
• Curriculum Formation and program development
• Agricultural working committee
• Wrote course for the Institute
• Promotion and Recruitment of the Institute
• Assistant Professor 2012-present
• Teaching undergraduate plant physiology, bioethics, agricultural and general biology, sustainability courses;
• Participating in curriculum review, revision and development;
• Participating in student recruitment and advisement;
• Engaging in research and scholarly activities;
• Serving on departmental, School and college-wide committees.

Hepburn’s Green Consulting Group

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations-Consultant 2013-2014

•  Improving Food Security and Nutrition integrating Garden-based Learning into the Primary School

Evaluation Project

• Reviewed of available documentation, face-to-face consultations with budget holder, technical officers and email/phone consultation with government focal points.
• In line with the Guidelines reflect the findings of the assessment of the projects in the standard EPA Report.
• Followed the Guidelines for the TCP Projects’ Ex-Post Assessment conduct the EPA.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations-Consultant 2011-2012

• Prepared an agricultural trade profile and structure of The Bahamas, identifying key products
• traded (imports and exports) and main partners, including the nature of tariff and non-tarif barriers (NTBs);
• Identify the main trade concerns identified by stakeholders;
• Identify what potential exists for up-scaling production/trade;
• Reviewed EPA and key bilateral agreements with key trading partners to determine SPS and TBT obligations and issues for The Bahamas;
• Assessed the specific nature of SPS and TBT regulations and standards used as tariff or non-tariff barriers (NTBs) by The Bahamas and those it faces from its main trading partners both within the CARICOM and elsewhere;
• Evaluated which of the NTBs are WTO/CARICOM compliant and provide recommendations on how to make complaint those, which are not, with a view to enhancing food security in the Bahamas;
• Analysed and discuss key issues for WTO accession in the agricultural sector for the Bahamas;
• Discussed trade remedies in place currently or that should be proposed to address issues of dumping;

The Caribbean Agribusiness Association (CABA) Trainer 2010 - 2011

• Enhanced local capacity to provide effective training to the targeted audience in the broad trade related areas –multilateral trade rules (WTO), regional trade agreements (RTA: e.g. CSME, FTAA, EPA, EU-ACP), and food quality regulations (FQR).
•  Participated and lead four pilot training workshops in Jamaica, T&T, Bahamas and St.  Lucia
•  Conducted SME Training Workshops – Each TR will be required to conduct one or more 2-day SME training workshops.
• Participated and lead Information Sessions – Each TR will be required to facilitate five information sessions per participating country.

The Caribbean Agro-Economic Society (CAES) Country Local Representative 2010 –2014

•  To represent The Bahamas in matters pertaining to the business of the Society
•  To inform country institutions (public and private) involved in agriculture and related business of the work and activities of the Society
• To facilitate stakeholders in accessing information on the regional agricultural sector, both private and public, via the Society’s Secretariat, in particular the proceedings of the Society’s Conferences
•  To make such efforts as to increase the overall membership of the Society, drawing from interested persons and institutions in the various fields of agriculture and related business in the country.
•  To promote the attendance and participation at conferences of the Society, which are held to bring together experts in various fields of agriculture
• To provide an avenue for seeking and obtaining information on respective country agricultural sector performance, experiences, and issues for the furtherance of the work of the Society, such as contributions to the Society’s journal and newsletters
• To assist the local Organizing Committee and the Society where possible, to facilitate the convening of the Conferences of the Society
• To provide a networking arrangement whereby the Executive Committee of the Society and the Country Representatives can organize tours and other activities for the benefit of the members of the Society

Bahamas Agricultural Producers Association Agricultural Consultant 2009-2010

• Document the basic market research finding that identify the products, which offer the best market penetration potential.
• Coordinate activities of resource persons, collect, collate and package training material/manual for handouts to members/producers. Coordinate the preparation of script/text for video format.
• Facilitate round table discussions among cluster groups and design mechanism for coordination of production mechanism.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical materials, including analytical tools, to support policy and capacity building of members.
• Provide assistance to members in food security, agricultural development policy.
• Mediate and facilitate interaction between buyers and sellers.
• Cluster producers coupled with production, planning, procurement and marketing delivery of products.

Clemson University—Strom Thurmond Institute 2004 – 2008

Graduate Research Assistant

• Restructuring fatherhood programs as it relates to child support policies in South Carolina
• Develop research inquiries for local radio show
• Ensure food security in New Orleans, LA through farmer’s markets post-Katrina

South Carolina Department of Agriculture 2006

Internship

• Assisted with the development and revitalization of community-based farmer’s markets
• Developed policies that would promote market growth and stability
• Assisted the community based farmers’ market governing body develop policy that will enhance their market’s growth.
• Implemented food stamp program in 10 pilot markets
•  Developed surveys and evaluative tools for the market managers to utilize

Clemson University—Graduate Student Government 2005 – 2007

President (2006-07); Vice President (2005-06)

• Began Book Awards Program for Graduate students
•  Conducted Graduate Student Senate meetings
•  Represented all graduate students at all forums and acted as a liaison between the administration, faculty and staff and the graduate students
• Provided vision and directed to the organization
•  Recruited for the University
•  Began the process for starting a Graduate Student Endowment
•  Formed committees for new policies that pertain to graduate students (i.e. Graduate Student

Health Insurance Assistantship, Graduate Student Awards)

• Facilitated a quality of Life survey to access the needs and quality of life of graduate students that is being utilized by the graduate school and student affairs

Ecole Superieure D’ Agriculture Agricultural School—Angers, France 2005

Study Abroad

Clemson University—Research Farms: Starkey Swine Center 2002 – 2004

Graduate Research Assistant

•  Assisted in formulating the mission statement and re-engineering goals for the farm through marketing and research
•  Assessed the profits of operating a biomedical facility

Tuskegee University—Tuskegee, AL 2000 – 2002

Resident Program Assistant

• Developed educational programs for students while providing highly motivated counseling and encouragement towards students through seminars and leadership

Tuskegee University—Comparative Genomic Laboratory 2001 - 2002

Laboratory Technician

• Performed basic laboratory procedures (necropsy & collecting samples) along with proposal writing

SKILLS

• Intermediate Level French
•  Working knowledge of SAS
•  Working knowledge Raiser’s Edge
•  Beginner sign language
•  Beginner GIS
•  Proposal Writing
•  Grant Writing
•  Working knowledge NVivo

AGRICULTURAL SKILLS

•  Necropsy of poultry, swine and small ruminants
•  Artificial Insemination goats, swine and poultry
•  Manual Insemination swine
•  Blood sample collecting from poultry (wing bleeding), swine and small uminants
•  Castration of swine, goats and cattle
•  Physical test in cows and pigs for pregnancy
•  Balancing feed rations for pigs and small ruminants
•  Slaughtering swine and small ruminants

AWARDS AND MEMBERSHIPS

•  Omicron Delta Kappa Member
•  Golden Key Member
•  Chancellors List
•  Martin Luther King Student Award Recipient
•  Bta Tau Upsilon Chapter, Alpha Kappa MA Honor Society
•  Bena Dial Scholarship Recipient
•  Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management Member
•  Commonwealth Young Farmers Club (Chairperson of the International Advisory Committee)
•  Agro-Eco-Tourism: Basic Elements to Implement an Innovative Project on Tourism

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

•  Self Civic Fellows Training for Political Candidates
•  Rural Enterprise Management Noida India
•  Commonwealth of Learning Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth’s (VUSSC)
•  Training Program on Agriculture Technology for Caribbean and South  Pacific Countries
•  Southeast SAS Users Group
•  Agro Tourism Linkages Workshop
•  Caribbean Agro-Economic Society (2009,2013,2015,2017)
•  Southeastern Agricultural Lenders School
•  Alabama Political Science Association
•  Caribbean Agrolinks Project
•  Global Environment Fund (CSO representative)§ Export Marketing Training for SMEs and BSOs
•  Certificate of Agro-Eco Tourism
•  Caribbean Agriculture Forum for Youth
•  Certificate Rural Enterprise Management & International Marketing and Global Competiveness
•  Certificate of Sustainable Agro-Eco Tourism
•  Certificate of Climate Change
•  Certificate in Sustainable Development
•  Certificate for Modern Technology in Agricultural Systems
•  Certificate of Plant Pathology Techniques SARGAPA
•  Pan Commonwealth Forum for Online Learning

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

•  2017-present Progressive Young Liberal-Faculty Advisor
•  2013-2015 St. Gregory’s Anglican Parish Vestry Member
•  2012-2015 Garden Hills PLP Branch Chairperson
•  2013-present Bahamas Red Cross Collegiate Chapter –Faculty Advisor
•  2010-present Bahamas Heart Association (Bah) – 2nd VP
•  2008-present Bahamas Red Cross Society (Bah) —Disaster Team & CPR
•  2006-2009 Clemson Free Clinic (SC)— Volunteer
•  2006-2010 Bahamas National Trust (Bah) —Member
•  2006-2010 Bahamas Historical Society (Bah) —Member
•  2002 – 2005 Canterbury of Clemson, Holy Trinity—Lay Member
•  2003 – 2005 Holy Trinity Day School, Holy Trinity—Volunteer
•  1999 – 2002 Social Outreach Program, St. Andrew’s Parish (AL)—Volunteer

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

•  2012-present Bahamas Agricultural Forum for Youth, President (2015-present)
•  2013- 2015 Caribbean Agriculture Forum for Youth, Vice President
•  2016-present Bahamas Network of Rural Women Producers (Education Board Member)
•  2011-present Organization of Youth Professionals Bahamas Chamber of Commerce
•  2006 -2008 Regional Programming Consult Chair,
• National Association Graduate and Professional Students (NAGPS)
•  2006 -2007 Acting South Carolina State Coordinator (NAGPS)
•  2005-2007 Toastmasters, Clemson University
•  2002 – 2005 African Caribbean Student Association, Clemson University
• Vice President-2004
•  2003 – 2004 International Students Association, Clemson University
• Treasurer-2003
•  2003 – 2004 International Students Council, Clemson University
• Education Chair

RESEARCH

Current Research:

• Food Insecurity and local food production in The Bahamas-co researcher Allison Karypn (working)
• Agri-tourism Chapter in Textbook Food and Public Health (working)
• The History of Agriculture in The Bahamas from a Farmer's Perspective (Book-working)
• Agri-tourism: A Cultural Industry with a Pathway to Economic Development in The Bahamas (abstract pending)
• Bahamian Agriculturalist Approaches towards Obtaining Food Security (abstract accepted)

Publications and Presentations:

• Tertiary level students’ Cultural Attitudes towards open, and flexible learning (abstract accepted waiting for paper revision)
• Agri-tourism Development in The Bahamas
• Presenter: National Agricultural Expo
• Food Security in The Bahamas and Climate Change
• Presenter: Climate Change in the Caribbean 2015: Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
• Investigating the Potential of Agri-tourism to Promote Food Security in The Bahamas
• ISBN: 978-976-634-013-1 Main Title: Proceedings of the 30th West Indies Agricultural Economics
• Conference Publisher: The Caribbean Agro-Economic Society (CAES)
• How to Develop Agri-tourism in The Bahamas
• Presented and Trainer for Inter-American Institute for Agriculture
• Climate Change and Adaption Measures: The Road to Increase Food Security in The Bahamas
• Presenter: The Caribbean Agro-Economic Society (CAES)
• The Impact of Hurricane Sandy (2012) on Local Farmers in The Bahamas"
• Conference Proceeding (Students co-authoured)
• To What Extent do Farmers Use Modern Technology to Improve Crop Production Value Chains in the Bahamas
• Conference Proceedings (Students co-authoured)
• Investigating the Level of Interest in the Implementation of Nanoscience as a Vehicle Toward Enhancing Food Quality and Security in the Bahamian Agricultural Sector
• Conference Proceedings (Students co-authoured)
• Agro-tourism: A Way Forward
• Bahamas National Agricultural, Agribusiness and Marine Resources "Proceeding towards Food Security"
• Agri-tourism: A Modern Development in Bahamian Agriculture
• Presented: Bridgetown, Barbados
• Published: AgEcon

CERTIFICATES AND TRAININGS

•  Certificate Rural Enterprise Management & International Marketing and Global Competiveness
•  Commonwealth of Learning Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth’s (VUSSC)
•  Training Program on Agriculture Technology for Caribbean and South – Pacific Countries
•  Export Marketing Training for SMEs and BSOs
•  Certificate of Agro-Eco Tourism
•  Certificate of Climate Change
•  Certificate in Sustainable Development
•  Certificate for Modern Technology in Agricultural Systems
•  Certificate of Plant Pathology Techniques