FIYou: Donnie Hale Jr.

Name: Donnie Ray Hale Jr. EdD

Job Title: Director, The Education Effect

Campus: MMC/SASC 217

Hometown: Stockton, California

What do you do in your role? In a nutshell: As director of The Education Effect, I lead a team of educators working in Liberty City, Overtown and Little Haiti committed to coordinating resources and services to improve academic achievement for students in elementary, middle and high school.  My team and I are dot connectors that work between FIU, community, schools and strategic partners focused on student access and success. Specifically, we focus on school improvement, student success, family involvement and community engagement as well as increasing strategic partnership.

Number of years at FIU: Two years

What do you enjoy most in your position? My position allows me to meet incredible people, share the amazing opportunities at FIU and help young people make college graduation a reality.

What do you think your fellow Panthers should know about your department? The Education Effect is a truly an amazing partnership that helps dreams come true for students, families and underserved communities by bridging the opportunity gap and providing consistent resources that demonstrate FIU’s commitment as an institution of access and equity.

What is your favorite place on campus? My favorite place on campus is GC because of the diversity of our student body and the level of engagement.

Words that best describes you: Energetic, Passionate and Purpose Built.

First paying job: Paperboy for the Stockton Record (hometown newspaper)

Favorite TV show: Luke Cage

Your proudest accomplishment: Walking across the stage to receive my doctoral degree and celebrating my parents for providing a foundation for service and community.

What do you do when you are not working at FIU? When I am not working, I can be found playing basketball and spending time with my lovely wife and incredible children (Donnie Boy and Chloe).