From middle school teacher to college professor


FIU graduate to become a teacher’s teacher

Victor Malo-Juvera knows the value of inspiration. After all, it was his mother, a college professor, who first inspired him to become a teacher.

Malo-Juvera has paid that inspiration forward, guiding students away from gangs and drugs and into college. Malo-Juvera’s track record is clear: his 8th grade Redland Middle School students have yielded the highest FCAT Writing scores in the county for two years in a row and the highest Middle Grades Assessment for three years.

That need to inspire – and to be inspired – drove him to further his education at Florida International University, where he will graduate Monday with a doctorate in education.

Malo-Juvera will be among 4,311 graduates receiving their diplomas this semester, most of them participating in one of six commencement ceremonies taking place Monday, April 30, and Tuesday, May 1, at the U.S. Century Bank Arena, located at FIU’s Modesto Maidique Campus, 11200 S.W. 8th St. in southwest Miami-Dade County.

“FIU students graduate with a world class education and the tools necessary to compete in this modern, fast-paced economy,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “They will go out in the world and use their FIU degree to make a difference.”

This fall, Mr. Malo-Juvera, 7th and 8th grade teacher, will inspire a new generation of teachers as Dr. Malo-Juvera, professor of education, at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Malo-Juvera will be recognized on Tuesday, May, 1 at 10 a.m. For more on Malo-Juvera and other Worlds Ahead graduates, click here.

FIU will welcome Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll at the third commencement ceremony, taking place on Monday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m.

The university also will bestow medallions and honorary degrees to the following distinguished community members: Dean of INSEAD Dipak C. Jain, honorary degree, Doctor of Public Service; Professor Emerita Kathleen Blais, FIU Medallion – Outstanding Alumna and University Service; Environmentalist Roger L. Hammer, honorary degree, Doctor of Science; Miami-Dade County Public Schools Associate Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction Milagros Fornell, FIU Medallion – Outstanding Alumna; FIU Director of Protocol and Special Events Josefina Cagigal, FIU Medallion – University Service; and former President of the Telemundo Communications Group Don Browne, FIU Medallion – Cal Kovens Distinguished Community Service Award.

The full commencement schedule can be found here.