FIYou: Mohammad A. Qureshi ’92, MS ’97

Name: Mohammad A. Qureshi ’92, MS ’97

Hometown: Okara and Lahore, Pakistan; Miami Fla.

Job Title/Department: Assistant Dean, Facilities and Administration, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Campus: Biscayne Bay Campus

In a nutshell: I provide leadership and supervision to the school’s day-to-day operations, including budgets and facilities projects. This also includes the Kovens Conference Center, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival and our China program.

Number of years at FIU: Twenty years, including two years of undergraduate. Seventeen years as an employee.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy everything about my job, especially the chance to make a difference in students’ overall experience at FIU. This includes providing them with state-of-the-art facilities conducive for learning, a chance to participate in one of the largest wine and food festivals in the country and providing them with grounds for some practical experience at one of our very best conference centers on campus.

What do you think students and your fellow faculty/staff should know about your department?

FIU’s is one of the Top 5 hospitality schools in the world. One of the only schools in the world that has campuses in two different continents, with two different cultures and time zones that still offer the same high-quality education and learning experience to their students. The diversity in student, staff and faculty is one of our strongest suits and adds to the learning experience for our students. Our faculty are world-renowned and have industry backgrounds and strong industry contacts. Our staff embodies the essence of hospitality.

Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?

I actually enjoy the whole of Biscayne Bay Campus. We are renovating an area that will be known as the Carnival Student Center. This will be one of the best student centers with the best view, facilities and technology. I believe that when it is finished, it will be one of my favorite spots. It will allow me to interact with students outside of the classroom environment.

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU?

FIU has come a long way and has become one of the top urban universities, one that offers the best value in higher education. My degrees from FIU have added enormous value to my career.

How is FIU “Worlds Ahead”?

FIU has a large number of international students, so due to this and our location, in comparison to other organizations, we are way ahead in finding solutions that are impacting regional, national and international areas. The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management’s China program is an example of FIU being Worlds Ahead.

Family snapshot:

It’s my spouse, Saadia Qureshi (who also works for FIU), and four children – a daughter and three sons: Rabia, 14; Rahil, 9; Aadil, 5; and Nabil, 3.

Word that best describes you: Gracious.

First paying job: I was a dishwasher at LUMS restaurant.

Favorite TV show: NBC’s Outsourced.

What is playing on your iPod?

Do not own one.

Your proudest accomplishment:

Getting promoted to assistant dean.

What do you do when you are not working at FIU?

I spend time with the kids. We like to do outside activities like bike riding, going to parks and watching movies.