FIYou: Magnolia Hernandez


29931419206_96fb05851e_kName: Magnolia Hernandez

Hometown: Born in Miami. Raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Job Title: Starting Oct. 24, I will be the director of  Student and Alumni Affairs at the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work.

What do you do in your new role? In a nutshell: In this new position, under the leadership of Dean Guilarte and with the Office of Student and Alumni Affairs team, I will collaborate with the college’s faculty, staff and administrators, identifying and implementing best practices for student success and engagement. Our goal will be to facilitate a 360 integration of our students’ academic and professional growth, from the moment they come into contact with us, through the time they are with us as students, and once they’ve walked across the stage and have become part of our alumni family.

Number of years at FIU: I’ve been here a little more than 8 years now.

What are you looking forward to the most in your new position? I see two major elements that excite me most about this position. The first is the breadth of the students with whom I will be working, serving both undergraduates and graduates within the same college. I worked for many years primarily with undergraduates, and most recently with graduates, but never as comprehensively with both groups. Secondly, I am really looking forward to working with students who are entering fields that are so critical to addressing the challenges that we face in our local and global communities. I feel that in a way I am really getting the best of all worlds.

What do you think your fellow Panthers should know about your department/college?

I see FIU as a community of scholars who are leaders and problem-solvers. I feel that our college in particular is a true integration of groundbreaking research and community engagement, which is at the heart of our mission as a university. It is an absolute privilege to be part of a college that is so in touch with the community, that keeps its students excited about their impact in the community, and that helps us as a university to put knowledge to practice in the most critical areas of our community. 

Name one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU? I said this 8 years ago when I started, and I still continue to say it today: “At FIU, if you can imagine it, then you can make it happen.” FIU has an incredibly unique entrepreneurial spirit, and I don’t know that people really understand how critical it is to be the kind of university that can adapt to the times, continue to serve its community, and have the capacity to fast forward and prepare for what’s to come.

What is your favorite place on campus?

I’d say the walk between PC and the library. The path is filled with big shaded trees, and then you have students passing you by, heading every which way. It’s good energy all around! 

Family snapshot:

My husband (Ivan) and I have an 18-month old, Aurora. Ivan is a triple Panther (undergrad, master’s, and Ph.D.). On occasion, he joins me for lunch on campus—he loves to walk around, reminisce about his days at Gracie’s Grill , and see how much the campus has grown since his days here.

Word that best describes you: Collaborative.

First paying job: I taught afternoon ESL lessons at an English institute in Santo Domingo while I was in high school. 

What do you do when you are not working at FIU? Outside of work and my studies, I love to go for walks with my family and spend time outside working on our herb garden. However, in all honesty, lately most of my non-FIU time is spent running (literally running) after that toddler of ours.