Mico University College
The Mico University College is an institution of higher education in Kingston, Jamaica. Its mission is "to offer its students opportunities for academic success and professional advancement through a rich and diverse curriculum".
The Mico was founded in 1835 through the Lady Mico Charity, one of four teacher training institutions established during this period in the British colonies and the only one to survive until the present
. The institution is thus the oldest teacher training institution in the Western Hemisphere and English-speaking world.
The Mico University College was established as a non-denominational Christian institution that caters both to male and female students. Over the years the institution has undergone expansion and development both physically and in its academic programmes.
Degree programmes
The Mico over the years has offered Certificate, Diploma and Degree programmes in:- Early Childhood Education
- Primary Education
- Secondary Education
- Special Education
- Education Administration
The Primary and Secondary Programmes offered at The Mico University College result in a BEd after successful completion of your four-year study. All BEd Degrees are accredited or awaiting accreditation by The University Council of Jamaica.
Management
The Mico University College is managed by a Board of Directors and The Mico Foundation which has a 12-member Board. The President is a member of each board. He is the Managing Director of the Foundation.The president of the University College as of 2015 is Dr. Asburn Pinnock
. He is assisted by three vice presidents.
In December 2008, Professor Errol Miller was appointed as Chancellor of the institution
. The Pro Chancellor is Dr. R. Karl James.
The University College offers undergraduate degree programmes through three faculties: the Faculty of Education and Liberal Arts, the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Science and Technology. Each faculty is managed by a dean.
Additionally, further studies are being offered through the School of Continuing Studies which supports students in upgrading their qualifications to enable them to matriculate into undergraduate and graduate programmes.
Facilities
Residence
There are two halls of residence for male students, Glen Owen Hall and Mills Hall, located on the main campus. The female students reside close by at the Errol Miller Hostel. The students are assisted on Halls by Resident Advisors most of whom are alumni who volunteer their services to the university college. The student leadership on hall is directed by a hall chairman elected by residents of the hall.The chief resident advisor for male student is Mr. Denver Holt who is also a lecturer in the Department of Language, Literature and Literacy and chief female resident advisor is Mrs. Karen Morgan who is also a lecturer within the same department. Other male resident advisors include Ewan Peart, Errol Haughton, Devon Blake, Leon Flemmings, Ricardo Prince,Ricardo Lee-Chang, Mark Bingham, Shamar Smith, Raymond Graham,Roger Johnson Danva Duncan and Ramaine Butler.
Students on the male students halls of residence live according to their houses. Mills Hall accommodate students from Arthur Grant House, Bishop House, Buxton House and Some members of Lushington House. Glen Owen Hall Accommodates Lushington and Rodgers House members. Each house is headed by a House Captain who is generally a final year student.
Health
There are resident nurses who attend to the medical needs of students and staff. They operate from The Mico Health Centre, located centrally on the main campus.Meals
Students are served meals daily at the Bonham Carter Hall.The cafeteria serves lunch and supper to students and staff of the institution.
Breakfast is provided for students and staff on the weekends.
Museum
There is a museum located on the main campus which boasts The Mico INAFCA collection donated by a past student Aston Taylor. The curator and senior lecturer is Hyacinth Birch. There are collections on education in Jamaica among items donated by past students. The museum also contains a collection on the history of the institution.It is the first museum of education in Jamaica, a collaborative venture with the Institute of Jamaica, and was established on 31 March 2004. Under the theme, "Winds of Change: the Evolution of Education in Jamaica," it aims to feature the growth of education from the pre-emancipation era to the present. The concept behind its formation is that students especially need knowledge of the past in order to sustain the future. The museum was declared opened by an outstanding Miconian, the Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke, former Governor General of Jamaica.
Notable graduates
Past principals
The following have served as principals of the institution:| Name of Principal | Year Of Service |
| Dr. William Gillies/ Col. L. G. Gruchy | 1884–1898 |
| John Hartley Duff | 1920–1923 |
| Arnold A. Moore | 1923–1924 |
| A. J. Newman | 1924–1959 |
| John James Mills | 1943–1945 |
| Hon. Glenville H. Owen | 1959–1972 |
| Professor Errol Miller | 1972–1981 |
| Renford Archibald Shirley | 1981–1996 |
| Dr. Claude Montgomery Packer | 1996–2014 |
| Asburn Pinnock | 2015–present |