A community of supporters bolsters South Florida hospitality industry, including alumni-owned restaurants and bars

For alumna Heather De La Torre and her husband Jesus, owners of Jr’s Gourmet Burgers in Miami Springs, business is a family affair. The “mom-and-pop” restaurant celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year, and the couple thinks of their small, close-knit staff as kin. But, like many restaurants nationwide, the COVID-19 pandemic dealt Jr’s a tough […]

FIUstrong: Providing emergency relief for students during the pandemic

The university is raising funds for students suffering financially during the health crisis. When FIU student Gabriella Llaña lost her job during the pandemic, she feared she might lose her apartment, too. Living alone, she wasn’t sure how she would afford rent. With support from the FIUstrong disaster relief initiative, the university was able to […]

Alumna leads effort to assemble, provide face shields to health care workers in need

–By Emily Castellanos for FIU News A spring biology graduate is proving you don’t have to be an essential worker to be on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. As an aspiring physician, Amanda Pina saw health care workers face a shortage of personal protective equipment. It was unsettling. When a mentor mused about […]

FIU expands 3D-printed PPE initiative to local fire-rescue departments with gift from alumnus, President’s Council member

FIU’s College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts has expanded its initiative to produce 3D-printed personal protective equipment (PPE) for those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported by a gift from FIU President’s Council member Angela Martinez and FIU alumnus Raul Chavez ’80, the college 3D-printed 1,000 protective face shields for local fire-rescue departments. […]

Staying home? Take some time to update your LinkedIn profile

As we practice social distancing, it’s a good time to evaluate your online presence and revamp your LinkedIn profile. John Nykolaiszn, director of the Office of Business Career Management at FIU Business, shares tips on how to make the most of your virtual “first impression” on potential employers: Over the years, recruiters and career experts have […]

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

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

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

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 […]

Several FIU programs among the best in the nation

–By Maydel Santana for FIU News FIU programs are among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report rankings released today. The new rankings placed FIU as the second university in the nation for international business and 12th for social mobility. “These rankings confirm that many of the improvements we have […]

FIU jumps 9 slots into top 50 in Washington Monthly’s 2019 College Rankings

–By Lourdes Perez for FIU News FIU is among the top universities that give back to their communities and country by promoting social mobility, research and public service, according to Washington Monthly Magazine. In the magazine’s 2019 College Rankings, FIU ranked No. 43 in the Public National Universities category (number 72 overall) out of 395 universities – up […]