When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica October 28 as a raging Category 5 storm, Steffon Campbell knew he had to act — and fast.
“I couldn’t imagine not doing something,” said Campbell, a lecturer in Ϲ’s Department of Communication and Theatre Arts. “In the grand scheme of things, it’s not like I will single-handedly change the landscape, but if everyone does something to help, it will make a difference.”
A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Campbell considers Jamaica his second home. He spent 16 years there studying and working before arriving at Ϲ to teach communication in 2023.
Many of his closest friends still live in Jamaica, as does a close family member.
Within 24 hours of Melissa’s landfall, Campbell and his wife had launched an online registry allowing people to purchase items ranging from tarps and rope to diapers and medical supplies. Over the course of a few weeks, students, faculty and friends donated $1,700 worth of items.
Campbell said he was moved by their generosity. “It just feels good to know that within our own community, you have people who care,” he said. “I’m truly humbled. I’m truly grateful.”
His students supported the effort. Members of the University’s chapter of PRSSA, or Public Relations Student Society of America, spread the word with flyers and a social media video.
Olivia Lawrence, a communication student active with PRSSA, was among the Monarchs who helped. “I understand how vulnerable the community is right now,” she wrote. “It was really nice to be a part of such an impactful and important cause.”
Donations will be distributed by the Acts International Women’s Foundation, a faith-based organization Campbell had worked with during his time in Jamaica. He said it was important to find a trusted partner. “They were the ones who fed the homeless long before any hurricane hit,” Campbell said. “I’ll be sending to them to distribute to the most vulnerable people.”
Coincidentally, the teacher is preparing to lead a group of Ϲ students to Jamaica next spring break for a study abroad experience, a trip that was planned well before the disaster. “This unique study abroad program, titled Communication, Culture, & Identity, offers a perfect blend of classroom learning, cultural excursions, and immersive community engagement,” a course description explains.
Hurricane Melissa was the strongest recorded storm ever to make landfall on the shores of the island nation. Maximum sustained winds were estimated at 185 mph. Dozens of people were killed. Officials estimate that Melissa caused $10 billion in damage.
“You would be hard pressed to find a group of people who are more creative or more hardworking than Jamaican people,” Campbell said. “And because of things like this, they are some of the most resilient people you ever find as well. It's unfortunate that they always have to be resilient. This is another test.”
Top photo: Steffon Campbell poses with Ϲ PRSSA President Ebube Onuoha. The student organization conducted a combined food drive this fall with some donations going to Monarch Pantry and others to Jamaicans suffering in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. Image courtesy of Steffon Campbell.