Governmental Relations update: Oct. 26, 2012

Whether focused on Sweetwater or abroad, FIU was proving itself a solutions center in Washington, D.C., this week. University advocates were in our nation’s capital advancing a catalytic vision for University City, our global reach, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) opportunities for our diverse student body.

President Mark B. Rosenberg led a coalition of anchor partners, including the Florida Department of Transportation, the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, Miami-Dade County, City of Sweetwater and IBM on a visit to the Department of Transportation to discuss the group’s collaborative vision for the UniversityCity Prosperity Project. The UniversityCity Prosperity Project seeks to create a robust, sustainable and affordable Advanced Transit-Oriented community that hinges on a seamless connection between FIU and the City of Sweetwater by creating vibrant pedestrian pathways and bridges, safe bike paths, and efficient express bus services.

“I was very excited to support Miami-Dade County, FIU, and the City of Sweetwater to become the next smarter city in the United States,” said Brigette Anschuetz, client engagement director for IBM.

Representing at HACU conference

Elsewhere, nine FIU students participated in the 2012 Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Conference after having received scholarships for the event, which focused on expanding partnerships between HACU members and the private and public sector.

FIU’s faculty played a role in the conference, leading panels such as “Identifying and Coaching Students to Compete Successfully for Global Fellowships that Launch Global Careers,” presented by Associate Provost and Senior International Officer Lari Martinez, and “Improving Student Writing: An Innovative Approach to Writing Across the Curriculum at an HSI,” presented by Interim Vice President for Engagement Irma Becerra-Fernandez and Department of English Chairperson James Sutton.

Sharing successful STEM model

Mahadev Bhat, co-director of the Florida-Caribbean Consortium for Agricultural Education, participated in talks at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and featured FIU’s successful strategies and future plans aimed at training underrepresented minorities in agriculture sciences.

Growing research and fellowship opportunities

FIU’s leadership also visited with officials at the Departments of State, USAID, Inter-American Development Bank, and Organization of American States, among others, to further explore stronger research and fellowship opportunities in Washington and abroad.

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