Former FIU Football Star Johnathan “Cyp” Cyprien ’12 now making “big plays” off the field

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In both his personal and professional life, Johnathan “Cyp” Cyprien ’12, who played for the FIU football team and then in the NFL for eight years, is committed to others’ success. He believes it’s all about “making investments that help people to be their best,” be it family and friends, community, his real estate business, […]

Education alumna becomes assistant principal at 24

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–By Angela Nicoletti for FIU News Amanda Hernandez became an assistant principal at 24 years old — in the middle of a global pandemic. The FIU early childhood development alumna works at the Ann Storck Center, a Fort Lauderdale nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with special needs and developmental disabilities. She […]

Alumnus creates film for Amazon Prime Video using smartphone

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–By Zion Sealy for FIU News Award-winning filmmaker Gabriel Rhenals ’16 produced his first full-length feature film “For My Sister”—now streaming on Amazon Prime Video—on his smartphone. In 2019, Rhenals was looking for a simple, cost-effective way of creating the movie; he decided to film the entire production using his Samsung Galaxy S9+. “There was […]

Alumna makes her mark on the film and entertainment industry

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–By Tatianna Basanta for FIU News Michelle Jubilee Gonzalez MA ’08 (@michellejubilee) is a self-proclaimed storyteller and has made a career for herself in the film and entertainment industry in whatever capacity she could – actor, voice-over talent, singer, stunt performer, producer and, most recently, writer. Gonzalez graduated from FIU’s School of Music with a master’s […]

Alumna to lead refugee team at Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

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–By Tatianna Basanta for FIU News Architecture alumna Ileana Rodriguez ’08, M.Arch ’11 was appointed chef de mission for the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) Refugee Paralympic Team (RPT) at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. As chef de mission, Rodriguez will be a mentor, sponsor and spokesperson for the RPT team throughout the Paralympic games. Born and raised in Cuba, Rodriguez […]

Exceptional Alumni: Indie music business pro John Guinan

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Head of content and operations for an independent label and co-founder of another, this 2016 grad has seen his star rise in no time flat. –By Sarah Hernandez for FIU News School of Music alumnus John Guinan (@jay.__.peh) graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s in music business and has been steadily making a name for himself […]

New FIU Young Alumni Network hosts wellness, professional development, financial literacy ‘Growth Conference’ for students, recent grads

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On August 15, the FIU Alumni Association and Young Alumni Network (YAN) hosted the 2020 Growth Conference, designed to equip students and recent graduates with tools to succeed in the workplace after graduation. “GrowthCon” brought together prominent alumni and other industry leaders on Zoom to help attendees identify goals and strategize their paths to personal […]

Annual Torch Awards Gala returns to FIU this year, and you’re invited!

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The Torch Awards Gala returns to FIU this year! The annual celebration pays tribute to Panthers who are making an impact in their professions, the community and at the university. Last hosted on campus more than five years ago, the event will take place at FIU’s Ocean Bank Convocation Center for the first time on […]

Online degree propels education alumna to success against all odds

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By Michael Martin In January 2011, during her first year of college at another university, Lauren Apodaca was struggling with severe anxiety when, one night, she felt a tingling sensation in her legs. As time went on, walking became increasingly difficult. One day, as she slogged her way to class, she passed out. When she […]

Journalism, business alumna takes home 8 Emmys®

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By Sarah Hernandez FIU journalism alumna Amanda Ramirez ’05, MBA ’10, WUVG 34 Univision Atlanta Executive Producer/News Anchor, recently took home 8 Emmys® in several categories, including General Assignment Report – No Time Limit; Weather – Feature, Segment, Program or Special; and Continuing Coverage for the station’s outstanding coverage of Hurricane María, throughout the storm’s passage across Puerto Rico and […]