Associate Vice President for Risk Management and Environmental Health and Safety Jennifer Mwaisela passed away Aug. 15, 2009, after a year-long battle with cancer.
Jennifer was well known for her good humor, her quick wit and her passion for environmental health and safety and emergency preparedness.
Jennifer created from scratch the award-winning emergency management program we have today. She transformed the environmental health and safety culture at FIU and, in so doing, became a leader among her peers in the State University System. Through her leadership and hard work, she founded the Emergency Management Group and systematized emergency management procedures at the university.
An accomplished professional, well respected by her peers and a recognized expert in her field, Jennifer earned a reputation as a passionate and driven individual. Under her leadership, her team won numerous awards and recognitions including the Florida Interagency Advisory Council Loss Prevention Award for the last two years.
“I had the privilege of seeing first-hand the tremendous impact Jennifer’s constant creativity and foresight had on the health and safety of the university community,” said Cristina Mendoza, FIU vice president and general counsel, in an email to the university community advising everyone of Jennifer’s passing.
Jennifer came to FIU in 1990 as a health and safety coordinator and on the weekend Hurricane Andrew blew through South Florida in August of 1992, she was promoted to interim director of Environmental Health and Safety. Insurance Program Assistant Mary Cruz, who worked with Jennifer during her entire tenure at FIU, says Jennifer was, by nature, a problem solver, which served her well during those first few weeks on the job.
She was an integral part of the university community by virtue of her professional role and her service in numerous committees, many of which she chaired, including the Substance Abuse Taskforce and the Access and Equity Committee. Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies in her native Jamaica and two master’s degrees from the University of Miami: Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety and Public Health. In 2005 she earned a third master’s degree, this time in business administration from FIU.
Jennifer maintained her upbeat and gregarious demeanor despite her illness. She attended former President Modesto A. Maidique’s tribute in early August where she greeted many colleagues with hugs and smiles.
With her passing, FIU has lost a leader, a dedicated and loyal employee and a friend.
Jennifer is survived by sister Ann Marie Grant and father Albert Grant. Cards and condolences should be sent to the Environmental Health and Safety office in CSC 162 for forwarding to the family.
The FIU family will gather to celebrate Jennifer’s life in the early fall. More details on this celebration will follow.
Very very sad news.
Diego Hurtado
Jennifer has always been a great friend of mine. As I was talking with her days before she passed she shared with me that she was "ready to go home to her father Jesus" In her last days she was the happiest that she had been in the many years that I was blessed to be her friend. I feel great to know by our conversations that she was ready and was … Read Morehappy. Her family and friend should know that. Florida International University has truthfully lost a caring professional that will be missed and could never be replaced.
2 seconds ago ·
Jennifer has always been a great friend of mine. As I was talking with her days before she passed she shared with me that she was "ready to go home to her father in heaven Jesus" In her last days she was the happiest that she had been in the many years that I was blessed to be her friend. I feel great to know by our conversations that she was ready and was More happier then ever . Jennifer was truly at PEACE. Her family and friend should know that.
Florida International University has truthfully lost a caring professional that will be missed and could never be replaced.
I had the pleasure of working with Jennifer for many years when I worked for Public Safety. Jennifer was always a true professional and displayed a passion for the health, safety, and well being of the students and staff. FIU has indeed lost a valued member of the university community.
I am saddened to learn this news. I had the pleasure of working with Jennifer when I was at FIU. A very nice person and true professional.
Jennifer shared her illness with myself, my wife Felecia and Boyce Level soon after she was diagnosed. Even so,the news of her passing caught us by suprise. To her family– FIND JOY IN KNOWING THAT GOD KNEW HER ROAD WOULD BE GETTING ROUGH, AND HER HILLS WOULD BE HARD TO CLIMB. SO HE GENTLY CLOSED HER LOVING EYES AND WHISPERED, PEACE BE THINE. THE WEARY HOURS, THE DAYS OF PAIN, THE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS ARE ALL PAST. HER EVER LOVING, WITTY AND PROFESSIONAL SOUL HAVE FOUND SWEET REST AT LAST.
Jennifer was an enthusiastic and energetic Golden Panther family member. I am so sorry that her youth and attitude did not work in her favor. Rest in peace, Jennifer – there is no more pain. Watch over all those who will miss you. God Bless.