Thriving as a first-time teacher during a pandemic

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–By Ayleen Barbel Fattal for FIU News A new teacher will never forget her first class — especially if she was teaching during a pandemic. For first-time teacher Vivianna Caballero, the 2019-2020 school year would turn out to be particularly challenging. Not because it was the first time she would be teaching a class of […]

Mentorship inspired him to become a thriving entrepreneur. Now this alumnus is paying it forward

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–By Brittany Torres Rivera for FIU News Joel Gandara is the CEO and founder of Morro Capital, a privately-owned e-commerce apparel company with a portfolio of more than 20 men’s apparel brands. He immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba in 1980 on an overcrowded boat full of hopes and dreams. Having always had an entrepreneurial […]

Alumnus helps companies navigate the new world of remote work

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–By Jordan Cross-Ogiste for FIU News Ilan Timerman ’19 has never been one to sit back at any organization of which he has been a part. During his time at FIU—before he graduated with a bachelor’s in sustainability and the environment—Timerman was campus director for Hult Prize; a staff member at StartUP FIU; secretary of transportation […]

Q&A with FIU Alumnus Michael Hernandez ’04, MPA ’11

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FIU alumnus Michael Hernandez ‘04, MPA ‘11, shares a relationship with FIU that dates back to 1986 – the year his mother started working for Dr. Modesto A. Maidique, our former university president. Now, Hernandez serves as the Board President for the FIU Alumni Association Board of Directors, and is part of the Mercury Florida […]

Giving Back to the Institution that Gave So Much to Her

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Cristine Figueroa MS ’07 grew up with FIU. Her mother was a teacher and would always bring her to campus, which became Figueroa’s playground as a young girl. Little did she know that her playground would soon turn into her dream institution for both school and work. “In 2007, I came to FIU to fulfill […]

Q&A with Alexandra Ramirez ’10

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FIU alumna Alexandra Ramirez ’10 arrived to the United States from Colombia as a single mother seeking educational and financial freedom. Her ultimate goal was to achieve the “American Dream” of becoming a business professional in the United States. She is currently the TV Finance Expert of “Despierta America,” the CEO of Moneywise Business Group and […]

Q&A with Head Coach Ryan Heberling ’09

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Carrie and Ryan Heberling
Ryan Heberling was named head coach of both the men’s and women’s track and field/cross country programs at FIU on July 9th, 2014, after spending the previous four years as an assistant and the 2014 season as the interim head coach at FIU. Before accepting these positions, Heberling was a student at the university and a […]

Architect of craft beer Eddie Leon ’96, MAA ’98 is ready for 2019 NoMi BrewFest

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–By David Drucker for FIU News Eddie Leon ’96, MAA ’98 wanted to be an inventor as a kid. Now, he has his laboratory: a 21,000-square-foot brewery in Doral. Inside the warehouse of M.I.A. Beer Company, blue and pink neon lights—reminiscent of Miami Vice—splash onto the long walls. A sprawling chalkboard offers more than 50 […]

Loving inner city America: One alumnus’ journey to fight for civil rights

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–By Gisela Valencia for FIU News As a teenager raised in inner city neighborhoods—including Compton, California—Ronald Fox MA ’19 didn’t think he would find success. He dropped out of high school his senior year. But he didn’t give up on education. Inspired by the election of Barack Obama in 2008, Fox decided he could dream […]

Young Tiffany & Co. director got her head start at FIU

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–By David Drucker for FIU News Calfskin leather bags and sterling silver money clips adorn the aisles of Tiffany & Co. in New York City. The company’s flagship store, a 10-story landmark on Fifth Avenue, dedicates its fourth floor to home and accessories, where ordinary objects like silverware and sunglasses meet modern luxury. It’s a […]