As the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) continues to re-organise its operations in the wake of the more than two-year-old corruption scandal enveloping former president Fritz Pinnock, the University Council has appointed five new vice presidents after a rigourous selection process.

According to Council Chairman, Professor Gordon Shirley, “these vice presidents will finalise the executive team, complementing the Interim President Professor Evan Duggan and the University Treasurer Ms Joy Patricia Harrison who joined the CMU in June 2020”.

Shirley added: “Their appointments are critical to the re-organisation of the CMU in line with the mandate given by the prime minister when the board was appointed in January 2020.”

The newly appointed vice presidents are Professor Ibrahim Ajagunna, Professor Noel Brown, Dr Taneisha Ingleton, Dr Jacqueline Leckie Johnson, and Dr Eron McLean.

Ajagunna, who previously served as Vice President of Academics & Student Affairs/Deputy to the President will serve as Vice President/Deputy to the President.

Brown, formerly Vice President of Technology and Innovation, has been appointed as Vice President of Academics.

Ingleton, scholar-practitioner, author and educator, joins the CMU as Vice President of Administration effective September 6, 2021. She will have responsibility for Human Resources, Student Administration/Services, Legal Services, Marketing and Communications, Security, General Services and the Secretariat. In that role, she will be in charge of all university functions.

Leckie Johnson joins the CMU as Vice President in charge of Digital Transformation. She has extensive experience in the private as well as non-profit sectors having served several organisations as an Information Technology and Business Process consultant, General Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Internal Auditor, among other roles.

McLean has been appointed as Vice President in charge of Planning and Development. He previously served as the Vice President in charge of the Office of University Advancement and Development at the CMU. 

According to Duggan, “these are critical appointments as the CMU’s re-organisation and re-alignment continues, to complement the significant work that has already been completed in several key areas of the organisation”.

Pinnock and former Education Minister Ruel Reid were among five persons arrested in October 2019 amid allegations of financial impropriety resulting in funds being siphoned on from the ministry and university.

Pinnock, after going on leave during the intial phase of the investigation, eventually separated from the university while Reid was replaced as education minister.

They and their co-accused are currently before the courts and are to face trial on various charges.