FIYou: Stephany Alvarez-Ventura

Name: Stephany Alvarez-Ventura

Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Job Title/Department: Program Manager for the School of Environment, Arts, and Society (SEAS) in the College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Campus: Modesto A. Maidique Campus

Number of years at FIU: 12 years. I started my undergraduate degree in 2004 and never left!

What do you do at FIU, in a nutshell: I help manage programmatic activities within SEAS. By working under Dr. Evelyn Gaiser, executive director for SEAS, I am able to help advance partnerships, research and development needs for biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and understanding human and environmental relationships. I received a B.S. (09’) and M.S. (11’) in environmental studies at FIU. I also managed the Agroecology Program for more than six years, so I am fully committed to FIU.

What do you enjoy most about your job?: I feel that I am a part of advancing FIU in connecting our community with environmental initiatives. It is great to be part of both planning and executing such programs that help prepare our students in addressing tomorrow’s environmental challenges.

What do you think students and your fellow faculty/staff should know about your school?: SEAS has built partnerships throughout the community to engage both students and the public in understanding our ecosystems through science and the arts, while making the proper connections to address environmental challenges such as sea level rise and restoration of the Everglades.

Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?: The FIU Organic Garden. There is this one cinder block that I look at every time I visit. I helped place this first cinder block with students and faculty back in 2008. Together, we laid the foundation and this cornerstone reminds me all that we have accomplished through the Agroecology Program.

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU?: Just like our student body and employees, every program at FIU is also diverse and connected to the humanities in some way, because we understand that inclusion of diversity is key to obtaining a global perspective in training tomorrow’s leaders.

How is FIU “Worlds Ahead”?: By embracing diversity and challenging convention, FIU is positioned to serve both local and international communities with a continual strive for excellence.

Family snapshot: I have an 8-year-old daughter who is an aspiring environmental artist and a 6-year-old son who plans to be the first to genetically modify dinosaurs. He knows so much about wildlife that I am scared he actually might! My husband is really handy in the operation room and around the house.

Word that best describes you: Balanced

First paying job: Subway

Favorite TV show: The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones

Your proudest accomplishment: My two little environmental scientists.

What do you do when you are not working at FIU?: Usually, I am a soccer mom, but I enjoy traveling, camping, gardening, and celebrating special events with friends and family.

Read more about Stephany Alvarez-Ventura in FIU Magazine.