FIU Alumnus Carlos Becerra Celebrates his Birthday with a Fundraiser for Student Scholarships

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For his 40th birthday, FIU alumnus Carlos Becerra ’98, M.P.A. ’01 did something special for his FIU family. Together with FIU friends at Miami Ironside and Biscayne Bay Brewing Company, Carlos hosted a fundraising event for FIU’s Make a Difference DC Fund. The Make a Difference DC Fund allows first generation students to experience valuable internships […]

Love and Acceptance Reign in Miami with Miss Black Florida USA

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Leyanis Diaz ’15 envisions a bright future for Miami. Currently representing our city as Miss Black Florida USA, Leyanis is using her platform to inspire young girls while promoting and advocating for health, education and entrepreneurship among minorities. She’s also shining light on Florida as a hub for diversity, creativity and opportunity. Despite facing her […]

Good Gift Box: A Better Way to Shop

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If you’re like so many of us, holidays, birthdays and special occasions somehow seem to creep up unexpectedly. You’re suddenly left fighting holiday crowds or racing to the mall in a desperate attempt to discover the perfect (usually last minute) gift for that special someone. Meet three female entrepreneurs and FIU alumnae who are ready […]

Voyage into the Unknown with Science Fiction Author and FIU Alumna Lala Hassenberg ’13

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Escape to another dimension full of mystery, magic and danger with science fiction author, Lala Elizabeth Tudor Hassenberg ’13. Combining her love for law, literature and fantasy, Lala delves into an adventure-filled world, taking readers on a perilous journey through time and space. With twelve published books in Russian and more on the horizon, Lala plans […]

Investing in your Future

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With the desire for instant gratification nearly embedded into our DNA, it’s no wonder we often overlook the journey – or lose sight of it entirely. Carefully curated success stories and lush vacation photos flood our social media, filling us with unrealistic expectations. What we don’t see is the hard work involved or the less […]

Alumna Makes Her Mark in Media

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Are you following your heart? Are you fulfilling your purpose? If not, what is holding you back? Johanna Salazar ’10 shares her inspiring journey of self-discovery while learning to look at everything through a lens of empathy and gratitude. Born in Colombia, Johanna and her younger sister were raised by their fiercely independent grandmother, Aceneth. […]

Creating a World of Change with Karlyn Emile ’05, ’11

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In a country as richly diverse as ours, you may be surprised to learn that a large segment of our population is virtually overlooked in medical classrooms. Without training, graduates are left ill-equipped to provide proper care for these unique and often misunderstood individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Enter Karlyn Emile, DHSc, MPH, CHES […]

Wendy Barba ’02 and Valentina Izarra ’02 Strive to Uplift the Latina Community

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Wendy Barba ’02 and Valentina Izarra ’02 are determined to live full and passionate lives. Together, these best friends are working to inspire and empower other Latinas to live their greatest lives, both personally and professionally. Through original, multi-media content packed with personality, Wendy and Valentina have created a platform for women to connect, discuss, learn and grow […]

Finding Financial Freedom with Tonya Rapley ’07

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Debt is one word with which most of us are a little too familiar. Straddled with student loans, soaring rent and lower incomes, sometimes it feels like there’s no end in sight. Tonya Rapley ’07, CEO of My Fab Finance & The Not Just For Profit struggled with similar obstacles – then she decided to […]