Iyka Dorival

Throughout her time at UWI, Dorival served as the Secretary of the Dominica Students Association at Cave Hill for the academic year 2019/2020. She then contested and won the elected position of Sir Philip Sherlock Hall Chairperson becoming the first woman and Dominican to ever hold the post since the hall’s inauguration in 1971. She also served as this hall’s representative on the Guild of Students, as well as the Constitutional Chairperson of the UWI Debate Society. Moreover, she was the Vice President of Membership for the UWI STAT Vice Chancellor’s Ambassadors and was appointed the Official Convener for the Commonwealth of Dominica for the organization, Global Peace.

Last year, Dorival co-founded a non-governmental organization dubbed “The Unmasked 7” with six other promising law students (three of whom are also alumna of the Lead Institute) which provides legal and socioeconomic education of topical issues plaguing the region. She also founded her own blog, “Dori’s Daily” as she believes it to be a small avenue for motivating and inspiring others through the myriad of the challenges life may throw their way.

Apart from juggling so many responsibilities, Dorival has managed to maintain strong academic standing which led her to be awarded a First Caribbean International Bank Scholarship for academic excellence last year. She has also been awarded the “Most Outstanding Dominican Student” at the University of the West Indies by the Dominican Students Association for her exemplary academic and extra-curricular performance.

Dorival credits the Lead Institute for laying a solid foundation for her future. The CAPE Associate’s Degree in Law, in particular, was instrumental in sensitising her to the basics of Caribbean law and jurisprudence which placed her at an advantage when entering the LLB program. Lead Institute afforded her the opportunity to jumpstart her love for law, and for that, she will be forever grateful.