Avia Ustanny, Outlook Writer

Dr. Thelora Reynolds has reinvented her role, making the University of the West Indies into a student-friendly campus. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

'Dear Hurga' is what they call her. Dr. Thelora 'Hurga' Reynolds, known among her academic peers as a capable educator and administrator, is better known to the student body, past and present, as the woman who has made the campus a much friendlier place for many of those who have left home for the first time.

The mother of two sons, she has brought much more than administrative prowess to her role in student affairs.

Dr. Reynolds is the manager in charge of student services at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.

One UWI post graduate student, who describes herself as a 'Seacolite' states, "I know a lot of people with personal problems who have gone to her and received assistance.

Genuine concern

"She has great presence and is extremely confidential. In her talks about interpersonal relationships and leadership, you can see that everything she does is out of genuine concern for students. Her main theme has been communication and respect for everyone, down to the security guards and cleaners on campus.

"I can never hear the term 'interpersonal relationship' without hearing the voice of Dr. Reynolds."

"I want to add," the student said, that "she is still very much beloved by all Seacolites."

Dr. Thelora Reynolds supervises a number of departments, including the halls of residence, placement and careers, sports, the office of Special Student services, lodgings and all qualitative development programmes.

Student services is a relatively new office at the UWI. Established in 1989, it was in 1996 that Thelora Reynolds succeeded Cedric Harper in the post of dean of students.

Student programmes

She has since been engaged in projects which have benefited both resident students and those who commute.

Dr. Reynolds has been responsible for implementing the student shuttle bus service, oversaw the introduction of the Annual Student Leaders' Workshop, the development and implementation of the Annual Summer Programme for UWI Distant Learners and also initiated the Annual Exchange Programme with the University of Costa Rica.

Dr. Reynolds developed and implemented Parent Orientation and introduced the 'interpersonal skills' Programme for First Year Students in Residence.

All of this has significantly improved the quality of life of residential and commuting students.

She was also responsible for developing a department manual for all student services practitioners at Mona and also initiated the process that led to the building of the Rex Nettleford Hall.

The office of student services, additionally, introduced the 'Living Learning Community' at Preston Hall, for Preliminary students in the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences many of who had difficulty in adapting to the living and academic demands of university life.

Especially for commuting students, Dr. Reynolds revised the locker system for Commuting Students and established a commuting students lounge and an Ad Hoc Commuting Students Committee, as well as commuting student advisors.

Last year, she also took a group of fifty residential and commuting students on a tour of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, to get them familiar with their sister campuses and the cultural differences of their island neighbours who were also their classmates.

All of this is intended to enhance the learning experience at the University.

Improving academic performance

" The idea of qualitative learning is new," comments Dr. Reynolds. In the past, "the emphasis has been on academics (but now that ) we get a wide variety of students coming from different backgrounds (we find that - parents - do not spend enough quality time with students. Some of the intangibles, including relationship building and social etiquette - are not addressed."

The varied programmes of the student services unit are intended to address such needs as well as those relating to improving academic performance and performance in the world of work which will follow the completion of studies.

"In institutions all over the world, the concept of a holistic approach to education is very advanced. Focus is increasing on such needs as leadership skills, interpersonal skills, character building, motivational team building.

"These are the things which make one effective on the job. We design programmes to reach character-building goals," explains Dr. Reynolds.

Dr. Thelora 'Hurga' Reynolds, a graduate of Shortwood Teacher's college has collected advanced degrees from universities as diverse as the UWI, the University of Manitoba and Nova Scotia University in Canada, the American College Personnel Association (Washington DC-Institute for Deans of Students) and Florida State University.

In 1967, she was a teacher of A 'level economics and O level geography at Munro College when her leadership were recognised. She recalls the day when the headmaster came to her and said, "Hurga, I want you to be the housemistress for Harrison house."

She was stunned, as the housemasters at Munro College ran the school. Not one to back down from a challenge, she accepted and did well.

In 1986 Thelora Reynolds accepted the position as principal of Junction Secondary School and made a name for herself at that institution until l she left that post to study at the University of the a West Indies where she chose to remain.

In 1990 she was appointed Student Services Manager, (Warden) at Mary Seacole Hall while lecturing in Micro economics until 1996 when she was appointed director of student services .

Today, she continues to lecture and do significant research in the areas of education and student services and has been responsible for the development of qualitative programmes for students at other local university campuses and several others in the Caribbean. In 2005 she was made a Diamond Honouree of the American College Personnel Association

The student services manager has, on UWI campus, co-ordinated the development of six (6) Co-curricular offering as three credit courses and initiated a regional professional organisation in student services and the chartering of the Organisation as an International Division of ACPA. She also implemented the 'First Class Honours' Faculty Boards.

Family life

Dr. Reynolds, a Justice of the Peace is also a member-Board of Governors, Jamaica Theological Seminary and the Chairperson - UWI Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee (F&GC).

A resident of Mona, Dr. Reynolds is also a member of Mona campus Council and Mona Management Committee.

Dr. Reynolds is married to Roy Reynolds, a man who she says has never complained about the numerous students who have taken up residence in their home - numbering at last count - 16.

The Reynolds are parents of Roy Junior and Richard. Her sons, Dr. Reynolds notes, have inherited her love of sports. When not following such activities in her spare time, she reads and enjoys motivational talks.