FIYou: Bronwen Bares Pelaez

Name: Bronwen Bares Pelaez

Hometown: Port Washington, NY

Job Title/Department:  Director, Women’s Center

Campus: Office, MMC; work with MMC & BBC

In a nutshell: The Division of Student Affairs Women’s Center at FIU provides women with programs and services related to their intellectual, professional, social and emotional growth. We educate and advocate for systemic changes that will improve the lives of women and men.

Number of years at FIU: 8

What do you enjoy most about your job?: Working with and supporting students who are at many different stages of their educational goals!

What do you think students and your fellow faculty/staff should know about your department?: In addition to offering our own programming curriculum throughout the year, the Women’s Center serves as a liaison between so many student, faculty, administrative, and community groups who are working to raise consciousness and awareness at FIU and beyond on a wide variety of women’s and gender equity issues.  Many of these groups are small in numbers, with clearly defined missions specific to the interests and goals of their members; some of the Women’s Center’s greatest successes have been to connect these groups when they share common goals for an upcoming event or awareness campaign. The Women’s Center also often facilitates collaborative partnerships across the university because we believe that the more we work together, the more we accomplish.

Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?: The Graham Center – what a great place to live, laugh, learn…and eat!

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU?: FIU is the university of the future!

How is FIU “Worlds Ahead”?: FIU is Worlds Ahead in the way we seek to grow, learn and innovate our way into the future. I have seen FIU advance every single day that I have worked here and it’s one of the things that keeps me coming back – I can’t wait to see what will happen next!

Family snapshot: My parents and brother live in NY, and my sister lives in San Francisco. I live in Miami with my husband, Robert Pelaez, who works at Barry University.

Word that best describes you: Compassionate.

First paying job: Babysitting for families in my hometown.

Favorite TV show: Anything on HGTV!

What is playing on your iPod? Anything Muse, RHCP, Prince Royce, Ellie Goulding, 80’s, Classical, and so much more!  I love many different types of music and I’m often on the lookout for something new!

Your proudest accomplishment: Being the “first” to hold the position at FIU of coordinator and assistant director for the Center for Leadership & Service and the Women’s Center at BBC for the Division of Student Affairs.  Together with countless students, colleagues, campus partners and community members, we created programs and services that continue to grow and mature for BBC students and community members today.  I loved being a part of that process!

What do you do when you are not working at FIU?: I am enrolled in the Ed.D. in Higher Education program at FIU, so for now, that takes up the majority of my time.  But, when I do find free time, I like to spend it with my partner, family, friends and pets.  I also like to run, walk, kayak, bike, volunteer, travel, cook, read and work on home improvement projects.