SAVE THE DATE: ALL ALUMNI ANNUAL WALKATHON - DECEMBER 5, 2026

The Coalition of Jamaican Alumni Associations of Florida

Uniting Jamaican alumni associations in Florida to support education in Jamaica and community growth in Florida and Jamaica.

History and Mission of the Coalition of Jamaican Alumni Associations of Florida (CJAAF)

Coalition of Jamaican Alumni Associations of Florida (CJAAF), Inc. was established in 2010 as a unifying umbrella organization for Jamaican high‑school alumni associations across the State of Florida. Formed as a charitable entity, the Coalition emerged from a shared desire to strengthen collaboration, streamline activities, and ensure that the Jamaican community in Florida remained informed and connected—especially on matters relating to education in Jamaica.

From its inception, CJAAF has served as a central hub for information on Jamaican alumni associations registered in Florida. By coordinating communication, sharing resources, and promoting transparency, the Coalition helps member associations work more effectively both individually and collectively. Through its website, public outreach, and its monthly publication, The Coalition Monthly, CJAAF plays a vital role in disseminating information, aligning initiatives, and fostering unity among organizations with a common heritage and purpose.

At the heart of CJAAF’s mission is a deep commitment to education and community development. Like the alumni associations under its umbrella, the Coalition is dedicated to improving educational opportunities for students in Jamaica, for those who have migrated to the United States, and for learners within Florida’s own communities. Through scholarships, mentorship, school support, and collaborative projects, CJAAF and its member groups work to uplift students and strengthen institutions across borders.

The Coalition’s impact extends beyond education. Through its member organizations, CJAAF supports and promotes community development initiatives in Jamaica, Florida, and throughout the United States. It encourages cooperation among alumni groups, hosts seminars and community events, and organizes its annual walkathon—an event that brings together individuals and organizations united by shared values and a commitment to service.

Today, CJAAF continues to honor its founding purpose: to unify, inform, and empower Jamaican alumni associations in Florida while advancing education and community well‑being at home and abroad. Its work reflects the enduring spirit of the Jamaican diaspora and the belief that collective effort can create lasting, meaningful change.

Dr. Sandra Schrouder is a Professor of Public Administration in the Andreas School of Business at Barry University. She holds a BA (Honors) from the University of the West Indies, an MBA from Nova Southeastern University, and a PhD in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. Her research spans Management, Public Policy, Public Finance, Education Policy, Organizational Studies, Bureaucratic Discretion, and Juvenile Justice. She has published in several peer‑reviewed journals, including Development in Practice, Journal of Economics and Finance Education, International Review of Economics Education, Applied Economics Letters, and Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, among others.

Dr. Schrouder is the co‑author of Contemporary Issues in the Development of Caribbean Economies and the author of BarCharts: QuickStudy Business: Management Leadership, a guide highlighting the role of leadership in business. She has served on the editorial review board of the Journal of Asia Business Studies and has reviewed numerous academic journals, textbooks, and online or web‑assisted courses for Quality Matters.

Deeply engaged in community service, Dr. Schrouder serves on the Community Relations Council Board of North Broward Hospital (Broward Health) and on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for the City of Parkland. She is the co‑chair of the Coalition of Jamaican Alumni Associations of Florida and co‑editor of its monthly newsletter. She also serves on the executive board of Florida’s University of the West Indies Alumni Association and is a member of the education committee of the Wolmer’s Alumni Association of South Florida.

Dr. Rupert Rhodd is an Associate Professor of Economics and Associate Dean in the College of Business at Florida Atlantic University. He earned a BSc (Honors) in Economics from the University of the West Indies and both an MA and PhD in Economics from Fordham University. His research focuses on Development Economics, Economic Modeling, and Regional Economics, and his work has been published in journals such as Applied Economics, Journal of Policy Analysis, Journal of Economics and Finance Education, International Review of Economics Education, and Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development. He is also the co‑author of Contemporary Issues in the Development of Caribbean Economies and the author of BarCharts: QuickStudy Business: International Business.

Dr. Rhodd has been deeply involved in community service within the City of Parkland, where he has served on the Education Advisory Board, the Community Advisory Board, and the Planning and Zoning Board. He has also contributed to the education committees of both the Wolmer’s Alumni Association of South Florida and the University of the West Indies Alumni Association (Florida). He is the co‑founder and first president of the South Florida Chapter of the Wolmer’s Alumni Association and a past president of the Florida Chapter of the University of the West Indies Alumni Association.