A breathtaking video that describes FIU’s Everglades restoration activities. An engaging, heart-thumping commercial that captures high school seniors’ excitement upon receiving acceptance to FIU. A colorful, eye-catching brochure that boldly and succinctly describes the university’s cutting-edge hurricane research.
These are among the projects that have earned recognition this year from the global nonprofit Council for Advancement and Support of Education. FIU won in five categories for work that includes publications, videography and innovation in data management.
“The honors speak to the deep talent of employees who put their heart and soul into showcasing FIU,” said Senior Vice President Michelle Palacio, whose Division of Strategic Communications, Government and External Affairs includes designers, writers and videographers responsible for several of the winning entries. “They are individuals who take great pride in presenting FIU in the best way possible, for all the world to see.
“At the same time, we acknowledge that strong promotional assets are based on strong content,” Palacio added. “We can create award-winning publications and videos because our researchers are conducting top-notch investigations and our faculty and students are making real impact.”
Todd Crowl serves as the director of the Institute of Environment, which for more than two decades has played a central role in a multi-organization, multi-billion-dollar collaboration to recover a healthy, thriving South Florida ecosystem. A five-minute video around that effort earned the highest achievement – “Grand Gold” – from the awards committee.
“Research in the Everglades, one of the world's iconic wetlands, is a perfect example of research that informs the world,” Crowl said. The NSF-funded work “is one of the crown jewels” of FIU’s environmental science portfolio, he added.
A commercial intended to air during televised FIU football games won gold status from the judges. And a diecut piece that features the university’s research investment in environmental resilience took bronze in its category.
The Division of University Advancement received awards for two initiatives. “Difference-Driven Fundraising and Change-Making at FIU,” a full-color, 36-page case statement, supports the FIU Foundation Office of Inclusive Philanthropy, which was established in 2021.
“It was really an opportunity for us to brand the office and the work that we’re doing,” said Adjua “Maia” McGill, founding executive director.
The judges responded overwhelmingly, writing that the material “demonstrated a remarkable ability to capture the essence of diversity, celebrating inclusivity in both the design and narratives.”
Separately, the CASE organization has invited McGill to speak about her work at several conferences.
The division was also recognized for developing a digital tool to ensure data integrity and streamline the auditing process within the FIU Foundation. Judges were impressed by the “meticulous attention to detail and strategic adjustments” that showed an ability “to optimize resources and generate more impactful outcomes.”