{"id":8085,"date":"2015-08-24T09:06:16","date_gmt":"2015-08-24T09:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/?p=8085"},"modified":"2018-05-09T15:04:58","modified_gmt":"2018-05-09T15:04:58","slug":"president-mark-b-rosenberg-welcome-to-fall-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/2015\/08\/24\/president-mark-b-rosenberg-welcome-to-fall-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"President Mark B. Rosenberg: Welcome to Fall 2015!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Dear FIU family:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Here we are\u2014ready to go into the new academic year full of optimism about what lies ahead. The Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero wrote that, \u201cThe beginnings of all things are small.\u201d But for our academic community, the only thing bigger than the first week of the new fall semester, is graduation day for our students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Fall at FIU is a very special time. Our campuses come to life as parking lots and garages are jammed, students hurry to classes and our Graham and Wolfe University Centers fill with music, laughter, and the fellowship of a community reunited in a common purpose. Renewal is in the air. There is so much to look forward to.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This year we are welcoming nearly 9,000 new freshman and transfer students and more than 200 new faculty members. You can easily identify them around campus. They are our new residents who may look slightly disoriented or lost in the tumult that is our beginning. If you see them, ask them if they need some assistance\u2014an understanding gesture and warm smile can go a long way to send the message that we are a special caring community and that we get it!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In true Panther fashion we are continuing our tradition of kicking off the academic year with a video that embodies and represents our FIU spirit.\u00a0 Here is your official welcome to fall:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"responsive-embed widescreen\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Panther Funk- Welcome Back 2015\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/djbU_WoMoUk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">2015 is a very special year for our FIU because we had another beginning just 50 years ago, when our FIU was chartered.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">On June 22, 1965, Florida Governor W. Haydon Burns signed Senate Bill 711, introduced by Senator Robert M. Haverfield, paving the way for the creation of our FIU.<br \/>\n<\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8086 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-12.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-12\" width=\"266\" height=\"336\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Since our first president, <a href=\"https:\/\/president.fiu.edu\/about\/past\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Charles E. Perry<\/span><\/a>, arrived on an abandoned airfield, FIU has spread its wings and taken off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">From our opening day enrollment of less than 6,000 students our Panther family has grown to more than 55,000 students and more than 200,000 alumni strong.\u00a0 We have prepared generations of students not only to take good jobs but to create good jobs; we have grown into an anchor institution and are a beacon of hope for our community and beyond.<\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Performance Funding<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Higher education is in the midst of a profound transformation. Every facet of education \u2013 what is delivered, how it is delivered, to whom and at what cost \u2013 is under scrutiny and impacting change within and throughout every university. This has opened up unprecedented opportunities for universities to rethink how best to educate the next generation of leaders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Florida\u2019s public university system, like in other states around the country, operates under a Performance Funding Model, marking a definitive move toward increased accountability and efficiency.<\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This new approach to funding is output based. The Board of Governors (BOG) <a href=\"http:\/\/www.flbog.edu\/about\/budget\/performance_funding.php\"><span class=\"s2\">Performance Funding Model<\/span><\/a> has nine metrics on undergraduate student success outcomes and one metric on percentage of graduate degrees in areas of strategic emphasis. Universities are ranked and can potentially receive (or lose) funding based on their score using the BOG model.<br \/>\n<\/span><span class=\"s1\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8088 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-13.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-13\" width=\"483\" height=\"288\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">I am happy to report that in the latest round of performance based funding results, FIU tied for third among the other SUS institutions, earning 39 of a maximum of 50 points. FIU made particular gains in both the number of bachelor\u2019s graduates employed full-time or continuing their education (up 5 percent) and increasing the percentage of students who enter their second year with a 2.0 GPA or higher (up 4 percent).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">But every year, there are new rankings and fresh funding based upon the performance of the previous year.\u00a0 We cannot rest on our laurels because we expect continuous improvement and funding is driven by how well we do in this improvement!\u00a0 That means that we must take ever-more seriously the delivery of our product and the progress of our students! \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Preparing Students for the World of Work<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">To be competitive in this state, and to do right by our students, we are committed now more than ever to building a strong culture of student success here at FIU. We believe that every one of our students is poised for greatness, and that their victories are our community&#8217;s victories.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">And that starts with making sure that our students find meaningful employment upon their graduation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We love the fact that our FIU graduates command higher salaries than graduates of any other university in the State University System!\u00a0 And they are employed or attending graduate school at higher rates as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We are giving our students the skills they need:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Ten of our students that participated in the Miami-Dade County <a href=\"http:\/\/www.miamidade.gov\/mayor\/internships.asp\"><span class=\"s2\">Mayor\u2019s Executive Internship Program<\/span><\/a>, under the direction of a Deputy Mayor or a Department Chair are now with working with the county thanks to the program.\u00a0 The partnership offers juniors and seniors the opportunity to meet the County&#8217;s leadership and get a first-hand look at County government. Learn more about the program here:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"responsive-embed widescreen\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Miami-Dade County Executive Internship program with FIU\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yvLA_PiKAos?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s3\"><a href=\"http:\/\/breakthroughs.fiu.edu\/2015\/07\/20\/rebecca-desirs-stempel-success-story\/\"><span class=\"s6\">Rebecca Desir<\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\">, a graduate from our <a href=\"http:\/\/stempel.fiu.edu\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work<\/span><\/a>, is starting her dream job as a health promotions manager with the American Lung Association.\u00a0 She says the guidance and support our faculty and staff gave her were essential to her success!<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Recently the Florida Department of Transportation recognized FIU for providing the greatest number of students of any university for their summer internship program.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Our Spring Career Fair hosted 320 recruiters from 132 companies who were vying for FIU talent! 1,485 FIU students and alumni attended the event, and 45 interviews took place in the Career Services Office the following day. Be on the lookout for the career fair this upcoming semester!<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">This year, a record 60 students held competitive internships in our nation&#8217;s capital, half of which were thanks in part to our partnership with The Washington Center and the State of Florida. Like our local interns, these students are destined for greater responsibility and opportunities upon their return to South Florida.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"s1\"><b>Impact<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Our FIU continues to receive national recognition and accolades. Here are some highlights from the past year:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\">FIU is the top university in the continental U.S. in graduating Hispanics with bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), according to<a href=\"http:\/\/www.edexcelencia.org\/about\"><span class=\"s2\"> Excelencia in Education<\/span><\/a>. In fact, we award more bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees to Hispanics than any other institution.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Three programs, Nursing, Engineering and Journalism and Mass Communication renewed their full national accreditation this year.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">FIU was named one of \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.forbes.com\/best-employers\/\"><span class=\"s2\">America\u2019s Best Employers<\/span><\/a>\u201d by Forbes. FIU is ranked third among the 19 Florida-based employers recognized, and ninth in the education category. On the overall list of 500 employers, FIU is ranked 64th.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Our Model United Nations team is the highest ranked team from a public university, continues to be the highest ranked team in Florida and is ranked number four in the nation.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Our College of Business is widely recognized for its quality and impact. Recently U.S. News &amp; World Report placed the College of Business at No. 15 among the top business schools for the International MBA in its 2016 edition of the Best Graduate Schools. The College of Business\u2019 Online Corporate MBA program also was ranked No. 14 in the Financial Times 2015 edition of the Online MBA Rankings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Metro U<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We are also partnering with other Florida universities to help more students graduate from college while boosting economic development across our state.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Along with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/\"><span class=\"s2\">University of Central Florida<\/span><\/a> and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.usf.edu\/\"><span class=\"s2\">University of South Florida<\/span><\/a> we have created the <a href=\"https:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/06\/new-florida-consortium-hires-executive-director-for-3-universities-partnership\/88900\"><span class=\"s2\">Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities<\/span><\/a> (Metro U), which aims to produce more career-ready graduates with lower debt, better training and adaptable skill sets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Combined, our universities currently enroll about 162,000 students, which is 47 percent of the enrollment of the 12 institutions of the SUS. We serve 63 percent of the state\u2019s population \u2014 including 70 percent of the minority population, and 25 percent of the state\u2019s first-generation students.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Our FIU is also deeply involved locally. We see ourselves as a force for good.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">For the South Florida economy to continue to grow and thrive, talented and highly skilled college and university graduates must be able to find the quality, high-paying jobs they desire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">To retain the region\u2019s \u201cintellectual capital,\u201d we have teamed up with local academic and economic development institutions to provide students with meaningful work experience in key, targeted industries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Talent Development Network<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The <a href=\"http:\/\/home.tdnmiami.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Talent Development Network<\/span><\/a> (TDN) is based on the Beacon Council\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/beaconcouncilfoundation.org\/onecommunityonegoal\/\"><span class=\"s2\">One Community One Goal<\/span><\/a> Targeted Industry Strategic Plan and focuses on creating paid internship opportunities for high school and college students.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Here&#8217;s a video on the work we&#8217;re doing with TDN:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"responsive-embed widescreen\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Talent Development Network\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/f7rdFVtPTyE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We know small businesses that learn to compete effectively and globally pay better wages and are better equipped to deal with the rapidly changing marketplace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">FIU has partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to create a Small Business Development Center, housed at FIU Downtown on Brickell.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The <a href=\"http:\/\/business.fiu.edu\/sbdc\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Florida SBDC at FIU<\/span><\/a> team has assisted more than 900 entrepreneurs and small-business owners, has helped launch more than 21 companies, and given local businesses access to more than $8.6 million in capital.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The SBDC at FIU also has helped create or retain more than 200 jobs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>FIU as a Solutions Center<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">At FIU we are helping build our community, and finding solutions to our community&#8217;s most pressing issues. The work we do has an impact and makes a difference.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Let me share some of our recent initiatives:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\">On the morning of April 1, 2011, FIU Law student <a href=\"https:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/07\/new-program-honors-slain-law-students-memory-with-legal-help-for-domestic-violence-victims\/90091\"><span class=\"s2\">Dannette Willory<\/span><\/a> was shot and killed by her longtime boyfriend. He then turned the gun on himself. That tragic moment put Dannette among a growing number of women who have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">In her memory, our <a href=\"https:\/\/law.fiu.edu\/academics\/learning\/clinical-program\/\"><span class=\"s2\">FIU Law Clinic Program<\/span><\/a> and the Liberty City Advocates (LCA), a legal services organization, recently launched a clinic to give victims of domestic violence access to justice, education and empowerment through free counseling, legal consultation and representation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"s1\"><i><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8090 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-14.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-14\" width=\"384\" height=\"288\" \/><br \/>\n<i>Dannette Willory<\/i><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\">We are leading the way in helping mitigate and develop technology in order to better prepare our\u00a0 South Florida communities for extreme weather events.<\/span><\/span>Recently, our International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) in partnership with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s National Hurricane Center (NHC), launched a <a href=\"https:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/06\/new-spanish-language-website-for-hurricane-preparation\/89910\"><span class=\"s2\">new Spanish language website<\/span><\/a>.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Hosted by FIU, the website includes information on hurricane science, residential mitigation strategies, preparedness and descriptions of NHC information products, including tropical cyclone advisories. The goal of the website is to help the Spanish-speaking community be better educated, informed and prepared for hurricanes, including safe-guarding their families, homes and businesses.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/08\/researchers-confront-weather-extremes-through-infrastructure-resiliency\/90870\"><span class=\"s6\">FIU Researchers<\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"s1\"> are also part of a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded network to support the development of infrastructure that can survive hurricanes and other extreme weather events.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Sea Level Rise Solutions Center<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">South Florida ranks as one of the world\u2019s one of the most vulnerable urban region in terms of assets exposed to the effects of sea level rise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This is why FIU has launched the Sea Level Solutions Center to help people understand, adapt and persevere.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The center combines expertise in the natural, physical and social sciences, along with architecture, engineering, computer sciences, law, communications, business, health and tourism management to develop long-term strategies in the face of rising seas. Without question, FIU\u2019s Miami location will be key in advancing the center\u2019s mission.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Here is some of the work they have already done:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\">Our <a href=\"https:\/\/sjmc.fiu.edu\/\"><span class=\"s2\">School of Journalism and Mass Communication<\/span><\/a> (SJMC) in conjunction with the <a href=\"http:\/\/maps.fiu.edu\/gis\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Geographic Information Systems<\/span><\/a> (GIS) Center has developed a web app, known as the <a href=\"http:\/\/eyesontherise.org\/app\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Sea Level Rise Toolbox<\/span><\/a>, which helps Miami-Dade residents visualize the possible impact of rising seas in South Florida on their neighborhoods.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">In addition, the Coral Gables Museum featured an exhibit on sea level rise put together by FIU students and faculty. A major feature is a 3-dimensional map of Miami-Dade County that lights up to show which areas of the county will be flooded at 2 feet, 4 feet and 6 feet of sea level rise. South Florida\u2019s topography is primarily low and flat, this could put nearly two-thirds of Miami-Dade County under water in 2100.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Video production students at SJMC filmed and produced a documentary titled South Florida\u2019s Rising Seas: Impact, which premiered on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wpbt2.org\/\"><span class=\"s2\">WPBT2<\/span><\/a>. The documentary is a compilation of stories about South Florida\u2019s future environmental challenges related to sea level rise. You can watch the documentary here:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"responsive-embed widescreen\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"South Florida&#039;s Rising Seas: Impact | Sea Level Rise Documentary\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xkFTcrK5E_8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/administration\/eop\/ceq\"><span class=\"s2\">White House\u2019s Council on Environmental Quality<\/span><\/a> named FIU as the host for its first Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seminar on developing locally relevant exercises supporting community resilience to climate change. The seminar will focus on climate adaptation, preparedness and resilience.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">FIU\u2019s leading environmental researchers, including Evelyn Gaiser, executive director of the School of the Environment, Arts and Society and director of the Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research (FCE LTER) program, met with White House officials in April to advocate for greater interagency coordination with South Florida research and adaptation partners on the emerging threat of rising tides. Much of FIU\u2019s work in the Everglades is based on research conducted within the FCE LTER, which studies how hydrology, climate and human activities interact with ecosystem and population dynamics in the Everglades.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s3\"><a href=\"http:\/\/earthenvironment.fiu.edu\/\"><span class=\"s6\">Earth and Environment<\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"s1\"> professor Ren\u00e9 Price, along with a team of international researchers, completed a study based on historical data that identifies the timings at which accelerations might first be recognized. Their results show that by 2020 to 2030, scientists could have some statistical certainty of what the sea level rise situation will look like in 2100. According to Price, that means policy makers will know what to expect and have 70 years to plan.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>More Worlds Ahead Research<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\">Our <a href=\"https:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/07\/historic-shark-census-catches-predators-on-camera\/90066\"><span class=\"s2\">FIU researchers are moving the needle in conservation efforts<\/span><\/a> and embarking on the largest-ever attempt to survey the world\u2019s shark populations.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Predators are disappearing from the oceans in alarming numbers with nearly a quarter of shark, ray and skate species threatened with extinction. The lack of comprehensive and up-to-date data on species abundance and distribution is hindering efforts to protect and replenish these ecologically important marine animals.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8092 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-16.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-16\" width=\"448\" height=\"288\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">By deploying baited underwater video equipment, researchers hope to catch the ocean\u2019s top predators on camera in their natural habitats. More than 400 reef locations will be surveyed during the three-year project dubbed Global FinPrint.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\">FIU is also <span class=\"s2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/03\/canines-battle-deadly-avocado-fungus\/86155\">helping to save our guacamole.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span>Redbay ambrosia beetles are on the move in Florida and are a major concern for the state\u2019s multimillion dollar avocado industry. FIU researchers are using a combination of drones and dogs to stop a deadly fungus spread by these invasive pests.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8093 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-17.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-17\" width=\"449\" height=\"288\" \/><br \/>\nDetection is a major challenge. Diseased trees can begin to wilt within two weeks, and by the time symptoms are visible, the fungus has likely spread to nearby trees via root grafting. This is a particular problem in commercial groves, where trees are planted close together.As part of an FIU research program, three specially trained canines were recently deployed in a grove where the beetles were suspected. The dogs were able to identify infected trees, though the trees were not yet showing symptoms.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\">According to FIU researchers, <a href=\"https:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/04\/butterflies-fall-victim-to-mosquito-control\/86794\"><span class=\"s2\">South Florida\u2019s butterflies<\/span><\/a> have become the unintended victim of insecticide control.<\/span><\/span>A five-year study by scientists in the FIU Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment Lab has found that exposure to naled, permethrin and dichlorvos \u2014 insecticides sprayed locally for mosquito control \u2014 are acutely toxic to butterflies.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">The FIU researchers studied the abundance and diversity of butterfly populations, and found that butterflies were most directly affected by insecticides sprayed in the air and on the ground, but they were also significantly exposed to the chemicals by eating contaminated plant leaves as caterpillars.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8094 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-18.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-18\" width=\"401\" height=\"288\" \/><br \/>\nOur research really has an impact.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">As a result of our work, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties <a href=\"http:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/news\/local\/environment\/article27299731.html\"><span class=\"s2\">have increased boundaries around endangered butterfly habitats<\/span><\/a>, changing how they spray.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Developing Africa&#8217;s Next Generation of Leaders<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">For the <a href=\"https:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/04\/fiu-selected-again-as-florida-site-for-obamas-fellowship-for-young-african-leaders\/87612\"><span class=\"s2\">second year in a row<\/span><\/a>, FIU was the only university in Florida to host a select group of emerging leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa. The group came to FIU over the summer as part of President Obama\u2019s Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders and lived at our university, where they participated in a public management curriculum. Their work at FIU will ultimately help them advance the community-focused work they do through governmental offices, ministries and non-governmental organizations.<br \/>\n<\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8095 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-19.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-19\" width=\"432\" height=\"288\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">For the first time this year, the fellows were also connected with peer collaborators \u2014 young leaders in Miami that have been identified through various sources, including a collaboration between FIU and The Miami Foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Cuba<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The U.S. government recently re-established diplomatic relations with Cuba. This action, together with the removal of Cuba from the State Department\u2019s list of countries that sponsor terrorism, removes the prior limitations on FIU and other public universities in Florida to use university dollars to travel to Cuba.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Office of Faculty and Global Affairs, shared more on this development and its implications for faculty engagement with colleagues on the island; research and educational programming; and study abroad trips, <a href=\"http:\/\/provost.fiu.edu\/docs\/7-23-2015_Cuba%20Travel%20Policy.pdf\"><span class=\"s2\">in a recent memo.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Partnerships<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/03\/fiu-royal-caribbean-launch-partnership-and-production-studio\/86270\"><span class=\"s6\">FIU and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.<\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\"> (RCL) recently unveiled a 130,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art rehearsal and production studio and announced details of a new partnership.<\/span><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8096 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-20.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-20\" width=\"448\" height=\"288\" \/><br \/>\nThe Royal@FIU World Stage Collaborative will create new opportunities for students in FIU\u2019s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the College of Architecture and the Arts (CARTA). These include paid internships, custom curricula and behind-the-scenes access to Royal Caribbean\u2019s experts and facilities.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\">We are also <a href=\"http:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/06\/fpl-and-fiu-partner-to-build-innovative-solar-research-facility\/88734\"><span class=\"s2\">joining forces with Florida Power &amp; Light Company<\/span><\/a> (FPL) on a new partnership to build a commercial-scale distributed solar power facility that will both generate electricity for FPL\u2019s 4.8 million customers and serve as an innovative research operation.<\/span><\/span>The project involves the installation of more than 5,700 solar panels on 23 canopy-like structures that will be built this summer in the parking lot of the university\u2019s Engineering Center.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8097 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-21.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-21\" width=\"443\" height=\"288\" \/><br \/>\nUsing data from the 1.6-megawatt solar array, faculty and students from FIU\u2019s College of Engineering and Computing will study the effects of distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) generation on the electric grid in real-life South Florida conditions.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\">2015 marks the <a href=\"http:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/06\/the-education-effect-marks-4-years-at-miami-northwestern\/89225\"><span class=\"s2\">four<\/span><span class=\"s7\">&#8211;<\/span><span class=\"s2\">year anniversary of our partnership<\/span><\/a> with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) at Miami Northwestern High School (MNW). Funded by grants from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, over the past four years FIU\u2019s Education Effect has worked in collaboration with M-DCPS \u2014\u00a0 as well as parents, teachers, administrators and the community \u2014 and supported the school\u2019s efforts to boost student achievement, promote 100 percent graduation and ensure that students are college and career ready.<\/span><\/span>By all measures, the partnership has been a success.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">The school has gone from a historic D\/F grade to an A or B ranking. Ten percent more students are going on to post-secondary education \u2014 and they are receiving millions of dollars in scholarships to get there. This year\u2019s 345 graduates received more than 400 acceptance letters for college. Combined, they have earned nearly $5 million in scholarships to continue their education. The\u00a0number of MNW students enrolled at FIU has climbed as well \u2014 from 17 in 2010 to 58 last year.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8098 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-22.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-22\" width=\"431\" height=\"288\" \/><br \/>\nBased on this success, last year FIU secured $1 million from the Lennar\u00a0Foundation to expand The Education Effect to a second school, Booker T. Washington Senior High School in Overtown.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span class=\"s1\">And we continue to collaborate on even more projects.<\/span><\/span>The Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing &amp; Health Sciences (NWCNHS) <a href=\"https:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/2015\/07\/fiu-receives-federal-grant-to-launch-school-based-clinic-at-miami-northwestern-senior-high-school\/90786\"><span class=\"s2\">recently received a $1.45 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services<\/span><\/a>, Health Resources and Services Administration to fund a school-based, primary health care clinic at Miami Northwestern Senior High School in Liberty City.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8099 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-23.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-23\" width=\"432\" height=\"288\" \/><br \/>\nScheduled to open in November 2015, the clinic will serve as a health care \u201chub\u201d for children and families in Liberty City, an area affected by high rates of acute and chronic health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, HIV\/AIDS, teen pregnancy and infant mortality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Looking forward<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We have come this far thanks to hard-working students, world-class faculty, dedicated staff, successful and steadfast alumni and the support of our donors and community. All of them are telling and living the FIU story, helping us to truly become one of the world\u2019s great universities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This is still only the beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The <a href=\"http:\/\/stratplan.fiu.edu\/docs\/Strategic%20Plan.pdf\"><span class=\"s2\">FIUBeyondPossible2020 Strategic plan<\/span><\/a> is our bold blueprint for building a world class university for the 21st century.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We are preparing our students to graduate in a timely manner so that they can launch successful careers.\u00a0 We will build on the unique programs that have enhanced the FIU brand throughout the world.\u00a0 We will reach the next level in research and creative activity.\u00a0 We will make FIU a leading urban public research university.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>This is our Next Horizon<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Just a few weeks ago, we held our summer commencement in which a record 3,620 students graduated. Throughout the six ceremonies inspirational stories of love, perseverance and determination were heard through the corridors of our arena.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Looking back on that day, I saw a picture that caught my eye. A graduation cap that read \u201cBe the Change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive size-full wp-image-8100 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-24.jpeg\" alt=\"Unknown-24\" width=\"502\" height=\"336\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Taken from the popular saying, \u201cBe the change that you wish to see in the world,\u201d this simple phrase has so much meaning.\u00a0 Lead the way, inspire others. This embodies the values that represent our FIU!<\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">FIU is blazing a trail.\u00a0 We are taking responsibility.\u00a0 We are making an impact.\u00a0 I am proud to be part of such a great institution and excited for what\u2019s to come.<\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Now we get a chance to begin again.\u00a0 This is big\u2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Let\u2019s Go!<\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive alignleft size-full wp-image-8101\" src=\"https:\/\/fiualumni-eastus.azurewebsites.net\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Unknown-6.png\" alt=\"Unknown-6\" width=\"162\" height=\"72\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Mark B. Rosenberg<br \/>\n<span class=\"s1\">President<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear FIU family: Here we are\u2014ready to go into the new academic year full of optimism about what lies ahead. The Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero wrote that, \u201cThe beginnings of all things are small.\u201d But for our academic community, the only thing bigger than the first week of the new fall semester, is graduation [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":2518,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[225,370],"class_list":["post-8085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-announcements","tag-mark-b-rosenberg"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8085"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8085"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8085\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15167,"href":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8085\/revisions\/15167"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2518"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8085"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8085"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fiualumni.com\/stay-connected\/alumni-news\/newsroom\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}