FIU President Kenneth A. Jessell (right) with CasaCuba Executive Director Lydia “Lili” Betancourt Space, MS ’00 (left), recognizing Benjamín León Jr. (center) for his support at the CasaCuba gift announcement in January 2024.

Benjamín León Jr.’s Legacy of Care and Giving

By Samantha Vargas For over six decades, the León family has dedicated their lives to providing healthcare to the residents of Miami-Dade County. In 1964, Benjamín León Sr. began the family’s legacy in healthcare by opening a small clinic for newly arrived Cuban exiles in Miami. The impact of this decision can be seen on […]

FIU Foundation Office of Inclusive Philanthropy event entitled, "Empowering Hispanics in Philanthropy

Empowering Hispanics in Philanthropy

The FIU Foundation Office of Inclusive Philanthropy hosts panel discussion with community leaders to converse about the Hispanic presence in philanthropy “Let’s take this national,” said George Corton. “This conversation isn’t happening at the levels that we need it to, so why not start at the most important city for Hispanics [in the US]: Miami?” […]

FIU Board of Trustees elects alumni as chair and vice-chair

In a unanimous decision on Thursday, the FIU Board of Trustees elected Rogelio Tovar as the new chair and Carlos A. Duart as the new vice-chair. Both will serve two-year terms effective July 1. Tovar, who has served as vice-chair for the last three years, will succeed Dean C. Colson, a former chair of the […]

Three CASE Faculty Receive Inaugural Dean’s Impact Awards

Three distinguished faculty of the College of Arts, Sciences and Education (CASE) received the inaugural Dean’s Impact Awards during a recognition event. Dr. Asia Eaton, Dr. Yannis Papastamatiou and Dr. Shayl Griffith were selected based on their outstanding achievements, impactful research and strategic collaborations with local and regional partners. Dr. Asia Eaton was recognized for […]

Benjamín León Jr.’s Legacy of Care and Giving

FIU President Kenneth A. Jessell (right) with CasaCuba Executive Director Lydia “Lili” Betancourt Space, MS ’00 (left), recognizing Benjamín León Jr. (center) for his support at the CasaCuba gift announcement in January 2024.
By Samantha Vargas For over six decades, the León family has dedicated their lives to providing healthcare to the residents of Miami-Dade County. In 1964, Benjamín León Sr. began the family’s legacy in healthcare by opening a small clinic for newly arrived Cuban exiles in Miami. The impact of this decision can be seen on […]

Meet the Dean: Q+A with School of Education and Human Development Dean Aaron Kuntz

In addition to teacher certification programs, what other programs have a demonstrated impact? Because education is inherently interdisciplinary, many of our programs complement one another, and this creates exciting ways for faculty to work together. For example, faculty in our Recreational Therapy program have been working in Kinesiology—merging areas of health and wellness with sport […]

Florida International University bridges industry needs with top researchers through unique cooperative research center

Originally published January 17, 20204, on news.fiu.edu. Written by Michelle Chernicoff Florida International University has secured the nation’s only forensic science Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) for the second time. The Center for Advanced Research in Forensic Science (CARFS) brings together top academic forensic science researchers to develop solutions to industry partners’ top needs. The CARFS Phase […]

Florida Keys city to replace sewage wells following FIU research findings

Originally published on December 18, 2023 on news.fiu.edu. Written by JoAnn Adkins The Marathon City Council says it will end the use of shallow sewage wells, a move that could drastically reduce the pervasive pharmaceutical contamination in local fish populations uncovered by FIU scientists. The announcement was made following a settlement with the citizen-based group […]

FIU alumni Tina Vidal-Duart and Carlos Duart gift to name wine studies program at Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

Originally published on December 8, 2023 on news.fiu.edu. Written by Yvonne Yee-Amor FIU alumni Tina Vidal-Duart ’02, MBA ’04 and Carlos Duart’94, MA ’99 have announced a gift establishing the Vidal-Duart Wine Studies program at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. The only wine studies program in the country named by a Hispanic family, this commitment underscores the couple’s […]

Researching “monster” cancer cells

Originally published on December 1, 2023 on news.fiu.edu Written by Angela Nicoletti Cristina Andrade-Feraud has seen how healthy cells change after exposure to arsenic. The transformation is radical. Exploding exponentially in size, the cells end up looking like “monsters,” she says. A Ph.D. candidate in the lab of FIU cancer researcher Diana Azzam, Andrade-Feraud is unraveling the […]

Baptist Health and FIU join forces to elevate care, address doctor shortage and boost medical research in South Florida

Originally published on November 28, 2023, on news.fiu.edu. Written by Dianne Fernandez Baptist Health, South Florida’s largest not-for-profit healthcare system, and Florida International University, South Florida’s public research university, today announced a collaboration that will expand physician training, research, and patient care for the benefit of the South Florida community. Under the new enhanced affiliation […]

Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences establishes Jorge M. Perez and Darlene Boytell-Perez 50th anniversary scholarship endowment

Originally published on November 20, 2023 on news.fiu.edu. Florida International University (FIU) today announced a generous gift from Jorge M. Pérez and Darlene Marie Boytell-Pérez ’89, MS ’96 to establish a new endowment at FIU’s Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences (NWCNHS). The Jorge M. Pérez and Darlene Boytell-Pérez 50th Anniversary of Nursing Scholarship […]

Fernandez Family Foundation makes $1M gift for scholarships at FIU Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership

Originally published November 8, 2023 on news.fiu.edu. Written by Todd Ellenberg The Miguel B. Fernandez Family Foundation has made a $1 million gift to FIU’s Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership in the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs to support student scholarships. The gift will establish the Miguel B. Fernandez […]