Alumni in Action

Cheryl Walkine - NOD Connections International (1st National Family Week Organiser)

Cheryl Walkine - Organiser of the 1st National Family Week

What year did you graduate from Queen’s College? 1985

In which Sports House where you place (Dyer Heath King Rogers)? Heath

What were your interests while you were a student at Queen’s College? Student Christian Movement

What are your interests today? Today, I am chiefly engaged in building capacity in Family Life, Self-sufficiency, providence, and Life-long spiritual and secular education. I am currently working toward a degree in Marriage and Family Studies, online. I hope to one day attain a doctorate in Organizational Development and Leadership. My passion and advocacy are anchored in the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability and if we then prove our dependability, He will increase our capability...It’s service, NOT status, that counts.”

What made you decide to become a QC parent (that is, to enrol your children at Queen’s College)? I have no biological children but often encourage others to consider Queen’s College because of its enduring, notable legacy of producing highly contributory citizens in The Bahamas.

When did you start working, and what made you decide to share your talents with McFAM? My professional work journey started during the late 80s, in the training and development arena. This is the sphere I have continued to gravitate toward, whether it was in my entrepreneurial pursuits, spiritual devotions, or the insurance, HR management, food service or communications fields. In 2020, I founded National Organization Development (NOD) Connections International, in response to Hurricane Dorian and the onslaught of Covid19. A focus of the organization, through its MCFAM (Marriage, Children, Family Alliance Movement) initiative, focuses on bringing family life, providence, self-sufficiency, and human relations education to the Bahamian public as a means of strengthening individual’s resilience capacity. What was the deciding factor in accepting your position with NOD Connections International? In answering the call to lead this organization is my belief that developing individuals, families, my brothers, and sisters is the work of God, and each is a child of God. I am humbled to be intimately involved in this work during the time.

What is the most memorable day in your life on the QC Campus? A most memorable day at QC was when I was recognized in the areas of Achievement and Effort in 10th grade school performance. I now understand more than I did during my high school years the importance of an effort grade in encouraging students to continue trying in the development of a growth-mindset.

What is your philosophy to maintain a healthy work-life balance? One must be intentionally mindful of achieving a delicate balance to wholeness of person by appropriately connecting orderly with God, family, work, community, and self. I am continually motivated by lyrics of the song learned as a child, “J-esus and O-thers and Y-ou, what a wonderful way to spell JOY!

What would you say are the main areas in which QC has informed who you are today? My connection and pride in being a graduate of a premiere, highly reputable institution that delivers quality education has heighten my sense of responsibility in similarly contributing to the Comet pride and Bahamian community.

What teacher(s) stands out in your experience at Queen’s College and why? Mr. Alexander Roberts. He was my homeroom teacher. His disciplined style that held a high standard of excellence helped me to raise the bar in my performance and pursuits. Mr. Roberts made me acquainted with two truths that continue to resonate with me: “There is always room for improvement!” and “Time wasted can never be regained” Mrs. Johnson (at the time, a Caribbean-born substitute teacher) had a profound impact. She was always kind, compassionate, and concerned about me personally, particularly at times when my selfesteem was low. I felt a special connection with her.

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