Center for Caribbean and Central American Initiatives

School of Education

About Us

The College of Education & Psychology is devoted to education in East Texas and beyond. Throughout the years, UT Tyler and Belize have worked together to further educational opportunities and advancements in Belize through study abroad opportunities, professional development, research, and through specific Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).

Current Projects

Memorandums of Understanding

• The Government of Belize, Ministry of Education and The University of Texas at Tyler
• The University of Belize and The University of Texas at Tyler
• Centro Escolar Mexico Jr. College and The University of Texas at Tyler

Research Center for Belizean Studies (RCBS)

• The RCBS was established to support U.S. scholars in their efforts to conduct research in Belize. In collaboration with COBEC, the University of Belize and Galen University, the RCBS will work to match U.S. scholars' expertise with the interests of Belize scholars. The RCBS will house a collection of publications and manuscripts related to Belizean Studies. For more information about this initiative, please contact Dr. Oliveras at yoliverasortiz@uttyler.edu.
• Scholarworks

CARSI

• Dr. Oliveras received a Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) grant ($241,502) to fund the Instructional SuperVision for Educational Excellence in Belize (i-SEE Belize) project.  Through the i-SEE Belize project, in collaboration with the Belize Ministry of Education, Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College, and The University of Belize – Toledo, The University of Texas at Tyler faculty will support efforts to enhance the education of children in Toledo and Stann Creek through the increase of educational capacity of teachers and supervisors in the districts. Through a trainer of trainers model, participating Belize field supervisors, education instructors and principals will develop their instructional skills with the goal of increasing student achievement throughout Belize.
• As part of the 2-year CARSI Grant, The University of Texas at Tyler in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology in Belize launched the start of a series of teacher training sessions in Dangriga Town: https://www.facebook.com/731595060242366/posts/4158895277512310/
• Belize press release: https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/222297 

Study Abroad

• Students in the School of Education have the oppurtunity to travel and study abroad in Belize to receive international experiences that help broaden their scope of education, service, and research. 

Belize Principals in Texas

• Since the fall of 2015, Dr. Hickey and the School of Education faculty have hosted Belize principals in Texas. While in Texas, the principals visit K-12 schools and universities as professional learning experiences. For more information about this initiative, please contact Dr. Hickey at whickey@uttyler.edu. 

The Consortium for Belize Educational Cooperation (COBEC)

• UT Tyler became a COBEC member institution in February 2019.
• COBEC was established in the late 1980s to link post-secondary educational institutions in Belize and other countries for the purpose of strengthening and expanding their capabilities in higher education.
• In 2020, the College of Education and Psychology, under the leadership of Dean Hickey and Dr. Oliveras, hosted the Summer 2020 COBEC Conference. The conference was the first virtual COBEC conference, and the conference with the highest attendance ever, with over 140 registered participants from U.S. and Belize institutions.
• As part of the UT Tyler’s work with COBEC, we are supporting the research committee, and collaborating with COBEC institutions to launch the Research Center for Belizean Studies.
• In 2021, the College of Education and Psychology hosted the Summer 2021 COBEC Conference.
• Dr. Wes Hickey, Dean of the College of Education and Psychology at UT Tyler was elected COBEC U.S. Co-Chair at the 2021 Conference.
• Our CARSI team visited the COBEC Belize Institutions during the Summer of 2021. They visited Independence JC, Centro Escolar Mexico & SC Ecumenical JC, and visited/spent time with the deans from Centro Escolar Mexico JC, San Pedro JC, Muffles JC & Wesley JC.