Alumni Spotlight
A Commitment to Excellence
Our Alumni Overview
Evril H. Powell, MS, LSW, CPM, #5 of Joseph and Ynette Tyson’s 7 children who all attended and graduated from the St. Croix Seventh Day Adventist School. She was born on St. Croix and attended the St. Croix Seventh-day Adventist school from the 1st to the 12th grade. Thankful to her parents commitment to Christian Education, Evril attest that it was the foundation that she needed to become the person that she is! She graduated with the Elite Class of 1985 and completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services with a Specialty in Juvenile Justice from Alabama State University in historical, Montgomery, Alabama. Upon graduating from college, Evril decided to return home to seek employment because she wanted to work in a community that she loved and cared about with the aspiration to be able to help and make a difference in the lives of our youths. She began her career as a Licensed Social Worker with the Department of Human Services in 1991 with Children and Family Services in Foster Care/Protective Unit and Juvenile Prevention/Delinquency. After a few months she realized her true calling as a Social Worker was working with at risks youths and their family, thus requested to be the permanent Social Worker at the Youth Rehabilitation Center which is the only Juvenile Detention Facility in the territory. In September of 2009 she decided to return to college to obtain a Masters Degree. She successfully completed a Masters Degree in Human Services with a specialty in Counseling Studies from Capella University in 2011. While working on her Masters Degree her career kicked off, She was given the position as the Director of Treatment and Programs at the Youth Rehabilitation Center a position that she held for five years before being named the Interim Superintendent of the facility in 2011 and officially appointed in 2012 by then, Governor John P. DeJong as the Superintend. In 2013 she enrolled in the first Certified Public Manager (CPM) course at the University of the Virgin Islands and completed said program in August 2014. In March of 2017, former Governor Kenneth Mapp appointed her as Assistant Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services where she served until April of 2019. In her capacity as Assistant Commissioner she had territorial oversight for the Division of Juvenile Justice, Child Care and Regulatory Services, Division of Financial Programs, Medical Assistant Program, Psychological Services and the Youth Rehabilitation Center. Following career of 28 years with the Department of Human Services she worked briefly with the Department of Education Diagnostic Center with the Division of Special Education as a School Social Worker. In January 2020, Evril became employed with the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and served as the Patient Relations Specialist with oversight of the Patient Advocate Department. After actively serving the Virgin Islands community as a Public Servant for 30 years and 5 months, Evril decided to retire in February of 2022. “I am eternally grateful for all the experiences I have gained throughout my career as a public servant, each experience good or indifferent, definitely contribute to my professional growth.” She continuously expresses love and gratitude to God, her family especially her mother, siblings, nieces and nephews who are her greatest and most loyal supporters along with some colleagues that have become friends who are irreplaceable! Although retired she is still dedicated to serve and continues to serve as a Per Diem Medical Social Worker in our community with Continuum Care, Inc., working with Hospice Care patients and families and enjoying every second of making a difference! So far she has been enjoying her retirement and plans to continue spending time and creating memories with her family and traveling whenever the opportunity arise and it is affordable!
Dwight Cartier is an entrepreneur, consultant and mental health advocate who has a passion for
community outreach and a strong business acumen. Dwight is the youngest child of two siblings
born to Stanislaus Cartier and Petrina Mike-Cartier. He attended the Seventh-day Adventist School
from second to twelfth grade – graduating in the class of 1986. He went on to attend Capella
University where he earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Management.
Dwight carved his path to entrepreneurship after years of working in the travel industry as a
consultant to major companies such as American Airlines, American Express and The Home
Depot. When travel came to a halt after the September 11 attacks, Dwight reinvented himself and
his go-forward strategy and discovered his niche as a businessman. He is now the chief executive
officer and leading consultant for Georgia-based Dwight Cartier and Associates, Inc. – a firm
specializing in travel, expense, information technology and information systems solutions and
management. His clients include:
● Department of Health and Human Services
● Department of Homeland Security
● PwC
Dwight’s love for community outreach and mental health awareness stems from his time at the
Seventh-Day Adventist School. He says, “being in a caring environment made me want to get more
involved in mental health awareness and give back.” When Dwight was in 7thgrade, he and a few of
his classmates participated in a school program where they were introduced to the needs in their
community such as food insecurity and homelessness. After learning about what was happening in
their own community, Dwight and his classmates raised money by fundraising for donations from
businesses and organizations to help fill the local need. Upholding his tradition of giving back,
Dwight is currently an avid volunteer with Community Action NOW.
Affectionately known as “Dwight Mike,” he is also a proud dad and grandfather. In his spare
time, Dwight enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball, traveling, and getting in a
good workout with the Peloton community.
Those who know Dwight would describe him as smart, motivated, driven and family oriented. One
of the things he is most proud of is the solid foundation he received from S.D.A.
Dwight’s words of wisdom to recent graduates of his alma mater are, “It is not only about who you
know, but also about WHAT you know.” Dwight encourages those who may venture into business,
or the workforce in general, to have a strategy and embed themselves in its culture.
In terms of what is next for Dwight, he is looking forward to stepping into the political scene and
running for candidacy soon. He’s excited to get more involved in the community and become more
available and accessible to members of the community and his hometown – through his business.
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Dwight Cartier