Knight Foundation investment sparks anticipation among FIU students, alumni

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Knight School students
When the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation invested $10 million in the newly renamed Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences, students and alumni across the country – like Cesar Villa Garcia ’18, Jose Maldonado ’17, and Ph.D. candidate Mireya Jurado – were ecstatic. The value of their degrees had just received an important boost. The College of Engineering & Computing, which houses the Knight School, is […]

Jorge Mas and family make $5 million lead gift to CasaCuba at FIU

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On behalf of the Mas family, Jorge Mas, one of the most prominent Cuban American business leaders in the United States, has made a $5 million lead gift to CasaCuba at Florida International University. A founding member of the CasaCuba Board of Advisors and chairman of the Board and co-founder of MasTec, his gift will support the mission and […]

FIU Foundation brings together diverse voices to guide new Office of Inclusive Philanthropy

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The university has raised $10 million in support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives since announcement of institutional Equity Action Initiative. In support of the university-wide effort to strengthen equity and inclusion at Florida International University, the FIU Foundation has designated a team of diverse development officers focused on philanthropic investment in diversity, equity and […]

Young alum joins Pathway to Philanthropist program with gift to establish scholarship for first-generation students

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With a recent gift to establish the Ruth Andrade – Jose Alberto Maldonado Zavala Scholarship Endowment, computer science alumnus and first-generation college graduate Jose Maldonado ’17 has become one of the first members of FIU’s Pathway to Philanthropist program. The scholarship will benefit first-generation students in the Honors College, of which Maldonado is a graduate, […]

Donors inspired by a campus experience that continues to enrich their lives: Meet Herb Gruber and Donna Steffens ’06

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The BBC Student Food Pantry upgraded to a new space this year, and a group of highly motivated students in the College of Arts, Sciences & Education are getting a well-earned boost toward graduation, thanks to the support of a lifelong learning student named Herb Gruber and his partner, FIU alumna Donna Lee Steffens ’06. […]

With gift to establish scholarship endowment in honor of her teenage daughters, FIU employee joins new Pathway to Philanthropist program

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Inspired to set an example for her two teenage daughters about the positive impact women can make in the world, Smilka Melgoza recently made a gift to establish the Vivian and Vanessa Melgoza Scholarship Endowment at FIU. The scholarship is named for her 13- and 15-year-old daughters and will support students in the Honors College, […]

Maurice A. Ferré Foundation gift to establish Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership at FIU

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–By Amy Ellis for FIU News The Maurice A. Ferré Foundation has announced a $2 million gift to Florida International University and pledged to raise additional funds, totaling $5.55 million, for the university to establish the Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership at the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs. The new […]

BankUnited iCare Scholarship targets students engaged in diversity

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–By Ellen Forman for BizNews In the summer of 2020, BankUnited launched its iCARETM program. The mission of iCARETM, which stands for Inclusive Community of Advocacy, Respect and Equality, is to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace where individuals are valued for their talents, feel free to express themselves and are empowered to achieve their […]

W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports StartUP FIU Food program to help entrepreneurs of color digitally transform their businesses

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The W.K. Kellogg Foundation recently granted FIU $400,000 to launch the StartUP FIU Food Digital Transformation Program. Launched in 2017 as a collaboration between StartUP FIU and the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, StartUP FIU Food helps local food entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their businesses. The StartUP FIU Food Digital Transformation Program is designed for low-moderate income entrepreneurs […]

REAL Panthers Making a REAL Impact: Meet Cesar Villa Garcia ’18 and Jose Maldonado ’17

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On February 24, the College of Engineering & Computing (CEC) announced its newly named Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences (KFSCIS), in recognition of a $10 million gift from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to enhance FIU’s role in technology, create new, cutting-edge programs, attract top talent, and graduate more […]