The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona Campus proudly celebrates the exceptional achievements of five graduating students whose academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to service exemplify the highest ideals of the institution. Each graduating with First Class Honours, these individuals represent diverse disciplines yet share a common vision: using knowledge, innovation, and service to transform Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.
Cordelia Copeland, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, embodies perseverance, discipline, and compassion. Raised in the agricultural community of Junction, St. Elizabeth, and the fourth of five children in a single-parent household, Copeland excelled academically and athletically from an early age. Despite financial challenges delaying her entry into The UWI Mona, she emerged as a top performer—earning consistent Dean’s List recognition, Honour Society membership, and the Sagicor Scholarship. She received multiple awards for academic excellence, including highest GPA in her cohort, and her research on alcohol use and gender will be presented at an international conference. In 2024, she represented Jamaica at the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s student-led conference, earning recognition as a Global Ambassador. A dedicated volunteer and student leader, Copeland aspires to become a Nurse Anaesthetist or Nurse Practitioner and to establish a youth mentorship group in her community.
Cam-Ron Davis, graduating with a Bachelor of Science with double majors in Economics and Statistics, has consistently demonstrated academic distinction and leadership. A former Senior Prefect at Immaculate Conception High School, she ranked 2nd in the Caribbean for CAPE Economics Unit 1 and earned a place on the CAPE Territorial Merit List. At The UWI Mona, Davis made the Dean’s List each year, served as First Vice President of the Honours Society, and received a Mona Student Performance Award. As the eldest child in a single-parent household, she developed resilience and empathy that have guided her professional experiences in wealth management, banking, and quality assurance. Deeply committed to sustainable development, Davis aspires to be a transformative leader in the Caribbean’s financial sector.
Abishua Johnson, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, distinguished himself as a first-generation university graduate who entered the field without prior coding experience and quickly rose to academic prominence. A consistent recipient of Academic Commendations, a Dean’s List honouree, and a member of the Computing Department’s Honour Society, Johnson has demonstrated a strong commitment to socially impactful technology. He led The UWI Mona team at the international DESRIST25 Conference, presenting eLife, an open-source platform designed to streamline proof-of-life verification for Jamaican pensioners. His leadership also earned top honours at the Jamaica Artificial Intelligence Association Hackathon and accolades at the BARITA Skills Optimisation Challenge. Selected for the prestigious CariSurg Surgical Robotics Programme at the University of Leeds, Johnson contributed to advancing AI and robotics solutions tailored to Caribbean healthcare needs. Beyond academics, he founded The UWI Recreational Tennis Club and served as a French language tutor, reflecting his holistic approach to leadership and service.
Zantaye Thomas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication (Major) and Caribbean Sign Language Interpreting (Minor), is a trailblazing advocate for inclusion and Deaf empowerment. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Sign Clubs of Jamaica, the region’s first association of Sign Language Clubs, and creator of initiatives such as Deaf Debates. Selected as a National Youth Parliamentarian in 2025, Thomas has contributed meaningfully to national youth policy discussions. Her academic excellence is matched by a record of prestigious awards, including the GraceKennedy Jamaica Scholarship and the Jamaica Centenary Scholarship. A former Faculty Representative on the Guild Council, media intern at CVM TV, and accomplished creative, Thomas continues to use her voice and talents to elevate underrepresented communities.
Courtney McGregor, graduating with a Bachelor of Science with double majors in Accounting and Computer Science, is driven by a philosophy of hard work, opportunity, and empowerment. A proud alumnus of St. Jago High School and recipient of the TVJ School Challenge Quiz Scholarship, McGregor fully funded his university education through academic excellence. At The UWI, he served in several leadership roles, including Deputy Guild Treasurer of Initiatives, and founded the So-Sci Scholar Hub, a peer tutoring network supporting students across faculties. Now pursuing an MPhil in Computer Science, McGregor aspires to become a lecturer, expanding access to education and inspiring future generations of scholars.
Together, these graduates exemplify The UWI Mona Campus’s mission to produce globally competitive, socially responsible leaders. Their achievements stand as a testament to resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of education in shaping Jamaica’s future.