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Name: Barbara Manzano ’07 (I am currently in the MBA program.)
Hometown: I was born in New Jersey and spent my childhood in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico but have lived in Miami ever since, so this is my hometown.
Job Title/Department: Director, Finance & Operations, College of Arts and Sciences
Campus: Modesto A. Maidique Campus
In a nutshell: As part of the senior leadership team for the college, I work closely with the dean, senior associate deans and associate deans directing the planning and development of the college’s annual budget, managing of personnel resources and coordinating all the administrative and financial operations.
Number of years at FIU: Just a little more than four years.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The opportunity to regularly meet so many intelligent, diverse and interesting people who challenge me daily. I do my best to provide top-notch service and to develop solutions that are as efficient, progressive and student-centric as possible.
What do you think faculty/staff and students should know about your department?
That the College of Arts and Sciences is undergoing a transformation that will create three schools based on FIU’s international (SIPA), environmental (SEAS) and biomedical (SILS) themes. Faculty in these three schools will be working together on interdisciplinary courses and research projects.
Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?
I’ll say the lake area between my building (ECS) and the Green Library, especially the view I have of it from my window. Every time I walk by there on my way “downtown,” I see something new and interesting – from turtles and fish to very cool student art and research projects. I also love the Graham Center (especially Bustelo) because of the constant hustle and bustle and the fabulous positive energy. Walking through it is like immersing myself in a fountain of youth.
If there is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU, what would it be?
That the College of Arts and Sciences truly is the heart of FIU because the courses we teach are the core of everything else we teach at FIU. We are constantly striving to find ways to help our students be successful.
Family snapshot:
My husband, Ulises, and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We have a 19-year-old son, Anthony, who is a freshman at FSU. The newest addition to the family is our almost-perfect dog Ringo, a lovely Belgian Malinois we adopted a year ago at the animal shelter. I am an only child and also fortunate to still have both my parents, as well as lots of extended family including many wonderful nieces and nephews of all ages on my husband’s side.
Word that best describes you: Committed.
First paying job: Working during the summer for FIU’s Athletics Department when I was 14. I went to high school around here, living a few blocks from this campus, and would ride my bike and come jogging here frequently. It was a temp appointment, but, at the end of the summer, the manager asked me to stay on. Although I truly loved working here, I was starting the 11th grade and wanted to focus on school, so I decided not to continue.
Favorite TV show: Can’t say I have one because I don’t watch that much TV, but I enjoy most shows on HGTV and the Food Network, crime shows, The Big Bang Theory, Jeopardy and Letterman.
What is playing on your iPod?
I haven’t chosen to own one but enjoy most music (especially listening to alternative and classic rock and dancing to island music).
Your proudest accomplishment:
I have several. After quitting my studies at FIU in the mid-’80s, I joined a Fortune 500 company. After working my way up the ladder, in only nine years, I became a vice president. Only 30 years old, I think I was the youngest female VP in the company and the only one without a college degree. I accomplished that by learning as much as possible while working hard developing valuable systems and processes. Although a great career and job at the time, that job was extremely demanding, so I left to focus on being a mom. Later, I started my own business. In 2005, I went back to school and shortly thereafter started working full time in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Psychology Department, where I also learned as much as possible and worked hard to make things better and more service-oriented. Finally, going back to school and earning my business/finance degree in 2007 was extremely rewarding and satisfying.
What do you do when you are not working at FIU?
I enjoy working out, karate, biking, the beach, water and outdoor activities, traveling, movies, dancing, cooking, reading, crossword puzzles and just hanging out and spending time with family and friends.
Our most impactful research: