With a little help and compassion we can go a long way. An act of kindness, a creative experience, an opportunity to grow, or a shared story can make a difference in our lives. “With love and special thanks to my mentors mom, dad and Ina Lee who make me want to be more.” Christine Garrett Davis
“Be a rainbow in someone’s cloud” (Maya Angelou).
Board and Affiliates
Marilyn Brissett
Marilyn is a former academic librarian at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and school librarian for the Virgin Islands Department of Educaiton. While at UVI Marilyn liaisoned with the School of Nursing and the National Library of Medicine. Her specialties include information literacy instruction, assessment, reference services, research and consumer health. Brissett is a published researcher and has collaborated with colleagues on several projects and papers. Her works have been presented inperson at Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries Conferences and the ACURIL 2020 Virtual Conference. The latter conference theme addressed “Design Thinking In Libraries“, particularly program response to natural disaster or pandemic. https://vi.linkedin.com/in/marilynbrissett
Christine A. Garrett Davis
Christine is a certified librarian with the Virgin Islands Board of Educaiton. Christine, the child of native St Johnian, Lillian Smith Garrett spent her entire adult life working with children, as a classroom teacher, then a school librarian. Christine collaborated on several projects with Marilyn Brissett at Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries Conferences, later at the ACURIL 2020 Virtual Conference; “Design Thinking in Libraries.” Before her retirement from the Christine taught at all three levels of public education in the K12 system, held ledership roles on school committees, the St. Thomas / St John Library Association and the VI Business and Professional Women’s Club. However, Christine’s greatest adventures were those shared with her husband Lueben L. Davis teaching in the Virgin Islands. https://vi.linkedin.com/in/christine-garrett-davis
Shawn T. Brookes
Shawn is an Information Technology Specialist II at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), St Thomas. Shawn has managed UVI’s St John Academic Center, a facility for St John’s UVI students where students attended classes supported by videoconferencing technology. Shawn is very proficient in education management systems, troubleshooting connectivity and software issues, network infrastructure, and end-user networking for enterprise-class data centers, including Polycom/Avaya and Dell-based systems. Shawn is very connected to his extended family spanning St Thomas and St Kitts. Shawn is interested in developing programs that promote health awareness and wants to make a difference in the St John community. https://vi.linkedin.com/in/shawn-brookes-398436a
Bodicea Powell Gordon
Bodicea is a native of Virgin Islands resides in St John, Virgin Islands. Bodicea holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secretarial Studies from Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. Bodicea acquired her Master of Arts in Business from the University of the Virgin Islands and taught Career and Technical Education with the Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE). During her thirty year tenure at VIDE Bodicea was also the advisor to Ivanna Eudora Kean High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Presently retired, she provides business services to local entrepreneurs, is involved in community-based organizations such as the Head Start Policy Council and Girl Scouts of the Virgin Islands. A devoted member of the Bethany Moravian Church, Bodicea is a choir member, church treasurer, serves the Board of Elders and the Board of Stewards.
Ardrina Scott Elliott
Ardrina is a dedicated executive with more than thirty years of leadership experience in K12 and higher education. She has an exceptional understanding of cross-functionality, fiscal responsibility, and institultional integrity. Her areas of expertise include Program and Project Management, Staff Leadership, Team Development, Strategic Planning, Budget and grant funding and Building Organizational Structures. Ardrina has worked with Federal Title III & Title IV program, Student Support Services, Public Speaking, Development Services and Gift Administration as well as teaching. She has served on the board of several non-profit organizations and is a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. A resident of St. Thomas Virgin Islands, Ardrina and her spouse, Alrick have three children and five grandchildren. https://vi.linkedin.com/in/ardrina-scott-elliott-462193124
Carla D. Blyden Burgess
Carla is the daughter of a St John native, Carl Blyden. Carla who has spent most of her life in New Jersey works for AT&T as trainer and coach in the use of Management Systems and Operational Control Processes. She is very adept in evaluating AT&T’s human information and financial resources. This she applies to strategic and production logistics via cross-team collaboration both remotely and inperson to achieve production goals. Carla is an advocate for well-being through personal development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-burgess-59b78088