The Caribbean Recruitment Program began in the fall of 1993 with eight students from Antigua, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, and St. Vincent. They joined a small group of Grenadian students whose academic achievements gave life to the idea. Since then, we have recruited over 900 students.

Midwestern State University takes tremendous pride in this showpiece program. Our president, Dr. Jesse Rogers, presented a paper on the success of the Caribbean program at Oxford University in London. And what a success! Over 97% of our students graduate from Midwestern State University on time. In fact, the attrition rate for the past five years is about one percent. Over half of our students graduate with honors. We have numerous Ph.D.’s, MD’s, Accountants, Engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers, and other professional and medical personnel.

Our recruitment for this program is limited to the islands of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States-the Windward and Leeward Islands. We currently have 250+ students enrolled and have graduated over 600 since 1995. We typically accept between 75-100 new students each year on a competitive basis. Almost all of our recruits are considered for a Merit Scholarship which carries a Competitive Waiver. This allows them to pay in-state tuition in addition to earning a $1000 academic scholarship. Additional scholarships are available from departments on campus and external sources. A small number of Caribbean students earn fellowships from the Organization of American States, with whom we have established a special relationship.

Several other universities are now actively recruiting Caribbean students following our lead. However, we offer the most comprehensive program geared towards the development of the student with full awareness of their cultural nuances. As such, we are actively involved in assisting students with housing, graduate school placement, programming activities, and cultural exchanges.


Several Caribbean dignitaries and entertainers have visited our campus in the past five years. They include:

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell (Grenada)
Prime Minister Edison James (Dominica)
Premier Vance Amory (Nevis)
Minister George Odlum (St. Lucia)
Minister Leonard Montoute (Grenada)
Minister Vince Henderson (Dominica)
Hon. D. Gisele Isaac, (Antigua and Barbuda)
OAS Deputy Sec. General Dr. Chris Thomas
Ambassador Dr. Denis Antoine (Grenada)
Ambassador Dr. Patrick Lewis (Antigua)
Ambassador Dr. Robert Millette (Grenada)
Ambassador Dr. Izben Williams (St. Kitts)
Ambassador Kingsley Layne (St. Vincent)
Ambassador Derrick James (Grenada)
Charge D' Affairs Sonia Leonce-Carryl (St. Lucia)
Calypsonian Dr. Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool
Calypsonian Winston “Gypsy” Peters
Calypsonian Alston “Becket” Cyrus
Calypsonian Edson "Ajamu" Mitchell
Soca Artist Shurwayne Winchester
Artist Rupert “Rupee” Clark
Clint Henderson of WCK