All of FIU’s 200,000+ graduates now belong to the Alumni Association.
Every FIU graduate will now have access to the association’s benefits for free, including its alumni networking programs and events, career development resources, the FIU Panther Perks program, which features discounts at retail establishments nationwide, and more. The idea is to provide new ways for FIU graduates to connect with the university and with each other nationwide.
“I was thrilled when I heard the news about these strategic changes,” said alumna Maria D. Garcia ’05, JD ’08, who serves as secretary of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. “We’re part of an exciting time at FIU, and I look forward to even more alumni engagement at our alma mater.”
Tiffany Roman Biffa, a former Student Government Association vice president who graduated in December, intends to move to Washington, D.C. soon to start her new job, so the Panther Network of Greater Washington, D.C. will be a valuable resource for her to connect with fellow alumni in a new city. She said her fellow alumni can all benefit from being part of the Alumni Association.
“I am excited to see how the Alumni Association will share networking and other benefits with young alumni and current FIU students,” she said.
With these changes comes the end of annual and lifetime memberships. Former lifetime members will be recognized as FIU Forever Panthers, and the membership fees they paid will now be counted as tax-deductible, charitable donations to the university.
Former lifetime members will also be among the first alumni privy to special benefits, including priority registration and reduced pricing at events, a desktop calendar and more.
“We are excited for the future evolution of our organization,”said Duane Wiles, associate vice president for Alumni Relations & Annual Giving and executive director of the Alumni Association, “which we hope will help us better serve all alumni.”
Tags: Alumni × Alumni Association × FIU Magazine
This post “FIU Alumni Association now 200,000 strong” was originally published on FIU News.