USC Alumni Association Trinidad Chapter welcomes President Leslie Hislop, uniting graduates for a vibrant centenary.
Some alumni leave university with a degree. Others leave with a lifelong commitment to the institution that helped shape them. For Mr. Leslie Hislop, the newly elected President of the Trinidad Chapter of the Alumni Association, the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) has never been merely a place of study. It has been a community, a professional foundation, and a continuing source of purpose for more than three decades. His journey reflects the enduring impact of a university experience that extends far beyond graduation and a commitment to ensuring future generations of students benefit from the same sense of belonging.
His story with USC began in 1995 when he enrolled at what was then Caribbean Union College (now the University of the Southern Caribbean) as a Biology major. During his undergraduate years, he immersed himself in campus life, taking advantage of opportunities for leadership, service, research, and spiritual growth. Although he commuted to campus, distance never limited his involvement. Student leadership quickly became a significant part of his university experience, culminating in his election as Associated Student Body President for the 1997–1998 academic year. Leadership, however, represented only one aspect of his USC journey.
Research opportunities provided some of his most memorable experiences as a student. Under the guidance of faculty members committed to scientific inquiry and environmental conservation, he participated in field studies throughout Trinidad and Tobago. One project, conducted in Tobago, focused on monitoring the population of an endangered hummingbird species whose numbers had been severely affected by Hurricane Flora in 1963. The experience exposed him to hands-on scientific research while reinforcing the value of applying academic knowledge to real-world challenges. Additional marine studies conducted during those years resulted in the publication of a research article through the Institute of Marine Affairs, an achievement that remains a significant milestone from his undergraduate experience.
The opportunities extended beyond academics. Worship services, student activities, athletic events, and campus traditions contributed to a university experience that helped shape his values, relationships, and professional outlook. Looking back, he credits USC with providing an environment that encouraged both personal and intellectual growth. More than twenty-five years later, that connection remains as strong as ever.
His appointment as President on January 1st, 2026, represents an opportunity to give back to an institution that has played a defining role in his life. Throughout the years, he has remained actively engaged with the university through service, mentorship, and participation in campus initiatives. His connection to USC has also become a family legacy. His wife, Mrs. Arlene Edwards-Hislop, earned her qualification in Teacher Education at the university, his son, Aleksei Hislop, graduated with a degree in Music in year 2025, and his daughter, L’lyse Hislop, is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology as she completes her final year of study in 2027. In addition, he has contributed to the university as a part-time lecturer within the Teacher Education programme. The role provides a platform to strengthen alumni engagement while encouraging graduates to remain connected to the institution that contributed to their development.
“USC is more than a university. It’s a family,” he explains.
That belief serves as the foundation of his vision for the Alumni Association. A primary goal during his tenure is increasing active participation among alumni, particularly younger graduates who may not yet see the association as a meaningful extension of their university experience. While many alumni remain supportive of USC from across the Caribbean and internationally, opportunities exist to deepen engagement and strengthen connections among newer generations of graduates. Membership growth, however, represents only one component of a broader vision.
Creating meaningful opportunities for alumni to reconnect, collaborate, and support one another remains a central priority. Professional networking initiatives, mentorship opportunities, and alumni partnerships have the potential to strengthen both individual careers and the wider USC community. Graduates possess a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources that can benefit current students while fostering stronger connections among alumni themselves. Alumni engagement also creates valuable opportunities for institutional growth. Former students bring unique perspectives shaped by their experiences on campus and in the professional world. Encouraging open dialogue allows the university to learn from those experiences while continuing to improve the student journey for future generations.
The timing of his appointment carries additional significance as USC approaches its centennial celebration. One hundred years of history represents generations of students, faculty, staff, and alumni whose lives have been transformed by the institution. The milestone provides a natural opportunity to reconnect graduates with the university while celebrating the shared legacy that unites the USC family. For the new Alumni Association President, preserving that legacy is both a responsibility and a privilege.
His vision is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: graduation should not mark the end of a student’s relationship with USC. The bonds formed through shared experiences, lifelong friendships, spiritual development, and academic growth deserve to be maintained long after students leave campus. As USC enters its next century, he hopes to help build a culture where alumni remain active participants in the university’s story. Through service, mentorship, networking, and engagement, graduates have the opportunity to contribute to an institution that continues to shape lives across generations. The university’s greatest strength has always been its people. Strengthening those connections ensures that the USC family remains vibrant, supportive, and united for years to come.
