CIMA Awards Thomas Jefferson Memorial Scholarships to Two Young Caymanians

Keisha James (left) and Janique Samson receive their scholarship awards from Managing Director, Cindy Scotland. Joel Jefferson, son of the late Thomas Jefferson, Deputy Managing Director - Operations, Patrick Bodden, and previous scholarship recipient, Shanaz Whittaker, look on.

GRAND CAYMAN   (Thursday, 17 July 2014) The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) has awarded two scholarships this year, as part of its Thomas Jefferson Memorial Scholarship programme.  The recipients are Keisha James and Janique Samson. 

Ms. James intends to pursue a Master’s degree in Financial Regulation and Compliance from BPP Law School in the United Kingdom.  She earned a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) Degree from the University of Liverpool in 2010, and completed the Legal Practice Course with Distinction at BPP Law School in 2011. She says this course will enable her “to understand the impact that more stringent laws, regulations and compliance policies and procedures have on financial industries from an academic perspective.”

Ms. Samson is a graduate of Pace University, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (Cum Laude) in 2009. She has been accepted at the University of the West Indies (Mona) to study for a Master of Science degree in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). Ms. Samson says, “I would like to commend CIMA for their investment in the development of Cayman’s young professionals. Companies that fulfil their corporate responsibility by providing scholarships will contribute to the development of our country’s human capital.  I am honoured to have been selected for such a prestigious award and am grateful to CIMA for believing in me and helping me attain my goals.” 

Managing Director, Mrs. Cindy Scotland, says “We are extremely pleased that this year the Authority is able to award two scholarships to assist these young women in achieving their academic goals.  They are both in areas of study which are very relevant to CIMA’s work.  We look forward to the completion of their studies, and anticipate their return to contribute to CIMA’s regulatory work and to the financial services industry of the Cayman Islands.”  

Shanaz Whittaker, the first scholarship recipient, graduated from the University of Tampa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management last May, and is now employed as an Analyst in the Authority’s Investments and Securities Division. CIMA established the scholarship programme in 2007 in memory of the late Honourable Thomas Jefferson, former Financial Secretary and Leader of Government Business.