Summer in D.C.


The lazy days of summer were in short supply in the nation’s capital last week as FIU’s Washington team stayed busy advancing the university’s priorities, engaging FIU alumni at federal agencies, and positioning university faculty researchers.

FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg with alumni staffers and interns at the House Foreign Affairs Committee: (l to r) Javier Lopez, Raphael Garcia and Andrew Alonso.

The FIU Governmental Relations team visited with alumnus Pedro Pavon, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Energy in the Office of Economic Impact & Diversity. Pavon, who will be mentoring FIU student interns this semester, provided valuable insight into how the university can help address the lack of minorities in leadership positions within federal agencies. The Department of Energy is an important partner in furthering our biomass energy research and DOE Fellows program — managed by FIU’s Applied Research Center — which provides our students with internships at the agency. Pavon’s engagement is one example of how we are connecting our priorities with alumni who can make a difference.

Members of the team also attended this week’s Senate hearing of the DREAM Act, which was recently reintroduced, and advocated for the passage of the America Invents Act which passed the House last week. This reform of current patent law can play an important role at FIU due to the university’s expanding research portfolio, much of which has the potential to lead to patents. (A common frustration for universities has been the slow pace of the current patent review process.)

John Proni of FIU’s Applied Research Center and Dick Dodge of Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Center visited with agencies to discuss the timely issue of Cuban oil drilling and the need for a monitoring network off the Florida Coast. The team met with the Department of Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to discuss proactive measures FIU can implement to ensure that the South Florida community is prepared in case of another spill.

In town for a visit with the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg took the time to visit some FIU student interns on Capitol Hill while alumnus Oscar Grau (the founder of the Student Alumni Association) was honored with the Jefferson Award at the National Building Museum. The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. Grau was recognized for his community service endeavors, having founded an organization called FIU Leaders in Practice (F.L.I.P.) where at-risk teens visit FIU to learn about career and college placement options.

There’s a lot going on in Washington, D.C., this summer. Here are several ways you can stay connected:

Twitter: @fiudc
Facebook: facebook.com/fiugov
Website: government.fiu.edu

Check out this video produced by the Washington, D.C., Office: