Monroe Community Rallies to Support Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa

The Monroe University community is showing what it truly means to come together.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, students, faculty, and staff joined forces to raise funds supporting two Jamaican institutions -- Westwood High School and Moneague College -- as they continue rebuilding and restoring their campuses.

Thanks to this collective effort, Monroe will donate J$1 million (about $6,750 USD) to each school, helping ensure students can return to a strong, supportive learning environment. University representatives will be on the ground in Jamaica on March 23 to present the donations in person, starting at Westwood High School in the morning, followed by Moneague College later that day.

But the visit is about more than giving back; it’s also about staying connected.

Members of Monroe’s Admissions and Alumni Relations teams will be hosting information sessions for prospective students in Montego Bay and Kingston, along with a special alumni reunion in Montego Bay. It’s all part of strengthening the University’s long-standing relationship with the island.

That connection runs deep.

More than 30 years ago, Monroe welcomed its very first international students -- eight students, all from Jamaica. Since then, that bond has grown into a vibrant, close-knit community of Jamaican students, alumni, faculty, and staff who continue to shape the University in meaningful ways.

“Many in our Monroe community have family and friends in Jamaica, so the impact of Hurricane Melissa felt very personal,” said Marc Jerome. “By supporting these schools, we hope to help them rebuild and continue nurturing the students who are at the heart of their communities.”

This effort is just one part of Monroe’s broader commitment to Jamaica. The University also recently introduced a new scholarship honoring the late Alsion Roach Wilson, designed to help promising Jamaican students pursue their educational goals at Monroe.

From fundraising to face-to-face support, these initiatives reflect something bigger than a single moment. They highlight a lasting partnership rooted in community, opportunity, and care.

At Monroe, making an impact doesn’t stop at campus -- it reaches across borders.