~Samana College Mission Statement~

Samana College Research Center (SCRC) is a U.S.-sponsored, Caribbean-based study-abroad institution of higher learning with a dual mission: promoting global competency among underserved student populations in the U.S., the Bahamas, Haiti and the Dominican Republic; and fostering educational tourism as a tool to support sustainable development of the Dominican Republic. Ideally, the study model developed for SCRC will be replicated throughout the Caribbean.

~Samana College Overview~

SCRC's prime gated land is situated on the Samana Peninsula in Samana, Dominican Republic, and offers more than a traditional college curriculum or environment. SCRC will bring together diverse individuals and institutions to create a vibrant atmosphere that promotes synergistic, collaborative study and fresh solutions to the needs of the United States, the Dominican population and other neighboring countries.

Through innovative, hands-on service programs—and through affiliations with outstanding partners, including leaders of several United Nations' initiatives, Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S., USAID-DR, InterDom, Columbia University, etc.—students and interns attending SCRC will develop the skills they need to compete in the global economy, acquire an appreciation of other cultures that will deepen pride in their own, experience first-hand the issues faced by a third-world population and become part of the solution to these issues.

· Students from underserved populations and often undervalued schools will study and work together with students from main-stream and Ivy League institutions--thereby giving all participants the opportunity to learn from each other within SCRC's dynamic and supportive environment.

· The curriculum—developed in conjunction with accredited U.S. host colleges—will include classes in Alternative Energy, Spanish, African heritage, Dominican and Caribbean culture, Caribbean literature, and a wide variety of social and community services. Service programs will include learning and implementing organic agriculture and aquaculture techniques, health and hygiene, cooperative studies with local residents in the culinary arts, and restoration of damaged environmental areas, among others.

SCRC is being developed by Inmobiliaria Minaya y Willmore, S.R.L., in association with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S. (HBCUs); Columbia University's ESEG-DR Program; City University (CUNY); College of the Bahamas (COB); Gerace Research Center (GRC); Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo (UASD); InterDom, an initiative of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD); USAID-DR; Pacto Global-DR; and the Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation.

For development opportunities, please contact Frank Minaya y Willmore at frankminaya@samanacollege.org