Stroll across the campus of Florida International University on any given day and you will easily recognize the vibrant diversity that distinguishes our university. Faces of all hues and shapes hailing from all corners of the globe will pass you by. You might overhear conversations in Yoruba, Japanese, or Creole. The rhythms of bossa nova or African drumming will set your feet a-tapping. Yet, this issue of Diversity Exchange reminds us that 510diversity runs deeper than what can be seen and heard. It encompasses socioeconomic class, age, values, religion, and sexual orientation.

I have long been attuned to the importance of promoting diversity. My identity as an Hispanic – I was born in Cuba – has deepened my appreciation for the contributions of others from across the diversity spectrum. Each perspective offers something unique and when they come together as a synthesis, the results – whether in the classroom or workplace – can be even better. Hispanics, for instance, have unquestionably enriched the United States with their music and cuisine, but also with their strong religious faith and family values.

I am the product of these two distinct cultures. I received my education in the United States; professionally, I am 99 percent American. In my family life, I am largely Cuban. Each culture has positively shaped my life. As a member of a group that has suffered discrimination, I also have a special sensitivity for anyone considered a minority. My New York City public school had only two Hispanics – including me – so I understand both the challenges and the opportunities minorities face.

Institutions, both public and private, are made stronger when they actively embrace diversity. Inside this issue, you will find a series of insightful articles that address the critical need to achieve diversity in health professions. We are acutely aware of this problem in South Florida where there is demand for culturally competent physicians to serve the region’s large immigrant population. As you will read inside, FIU is taking steps to address the issue. As a public university serving a large, multi-ethnic, multi-racial community, we endeavor to set an example by representing all aspects of diversity in our hiring, our student selection, and our academic programming. To use Maya Angelou’s words, “diversity makes for a rich tapestry.”

Modesto A. Maidique
President