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FIU celebrates the legacy of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen with launch of fellowship program
This week, Florida International University (FIU) launched the Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Legacy Project and Fellowship Program, a multifaceted initiative designed to preserve the historic contributions of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and influence the next generation of civic leaders.
Ros-Lehtinen, a two-time FIU alumna, shattered barriers throughout her career, becoming the first Hispanic woman elected to the Florida House of Representatives, the Florida Senate, and the U.S. Congress. She also made history as the first woman and the first Hispanic to chair the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the first woman to lead any standing committee in the House of Representatives—all while being the first FIU graduate ever elected to Congress.
Her legacy includes championing human rights globally, launching the Florida Prepaid College Program, advocating for Everglades restoration and Miami River revitalization, and securing key research opportunities for FIU, including the Aquarius Reef Base.
“Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen represents the very best of public service—principled, fearless and deeply committed to human rights, education and opportunity,” said FIU President Jeanette M. Nuñez. “We are proud to ensure her legacy lives on through the students who will be a part of this fellowship program.”
Central to the project is an extensive archival collection that captures Ros-Lehtinen’s decades-long career in public service and her role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. The collection includes hundreds of photographs with U.S. presidents, world leaders, and dignitaries; historic news articles and legislative records; and rare political items such as Air Force One manifests, White House briefing documents, and menus from state dinners. Among the most notable artifacts is the pen used by President Bill Clinton in 1996 to sign the Helms-Burton Act, a law that tightened U.S. sanctions against the Cuban government and reinforced American opposition to foreign investment in Cuba, symbolizing Ros-Lehtinen’s influence on landmark legislation.
The archive will be curated by graduate FIU history students, who will organize the materials into a permanent exhibit and digital archive as part of the America 250 commemoration, the nationwide celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. This effort ensures that Ros-Lehtinen’s remarkable history is preserved and accessible for generations to come.
“It is humbling to see my journey preserved and used to inspire future leaders,” said Ros-Lehtinen. “FIU opened doors for me and gave me the foundation to serve. This project is my way of giving back—ensuring that students have the same opportunities to make a difference for their communities and our nation.”
The Ros-Lehtinen Fellowship Program, anchored at FIU in Washington, D.C., will provide FIU students with unmatched opportunities to engage in public service. Program components include:
FIU in Washington, D.C. is a hub for policy engagement and leadership development. It offers students access to policymakers, think tanks, and national institutions, while serving as a venue for research, residencies, and public policy forums.
To learn more about the Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Legacy Project and Fellowship Program, visit: https://washingtondc.fiu.edu/talent-lab/rl-legacy
Ros-Lehtinen, a two-time FIU alumna, shattered barriers throughout her career, becoming the first Hispanic woman elected to the Florida House of Representatives, the Florida Senate, and the U.S. Congress. She also made history as the first woman and the first Hispanic to chair the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the first woman to lead any standing committee in the House of Representatives—all while being the first FIU graduate ever elected to Congress.
Her legacy includes championing human rights globally, launching the Florida Prepaid College Program, advocating for Everglades restoration and Miami River revitalization, and securing key research opportunities for FIU, including the Aquarius Reef Base.
“Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen represents the very best of public service—principled, fearless and deeply committed to human rights, education and opportunity,” said FIU President Jeanette M. Nuñez. “We are proud to ensure her legacy lives on through the students who will be a part of this fellowship program.”
Central to the project is an extensive archival collection that captures Ros-Lehtinen’s decades-long career in public service and her role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. The collection includes hundreds of photographs with U.S. presidents, world leaders, and dignitaries; historic news articles and legislative records; and rare political items such as Air Force One manifests, White House briefing documents, and menus from state dinners. Among the most notable artifacts is the pen used by President Bill Clinton in 1996 to sign the Helms-Burton Act, a law that tightened U.S. sanctions against the Cuban government and reinforced American opposition to foreign investment in Cuba, symbolizing Ros-Lehtinen’s influence on landmark legislation.
The archive will be curated by graduate FIU history students, who will organize the materials into a permanent exhibit and digital archive as part of the America 250 commemoration, the nationwide celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. This effort ensures that Ros-Lehtinen’s remarkable history is preserved and accessible for generations to come.
“It is humbling to see my journey preserved and used to inspire future leaders,” said Ros-Lehtinen. “FIU opened doors for me and gave me the foundation to serve. This project is my way of giving back—ensuring that students have the same opportunities to make a difference for their communities and our nation.”
The Ros-Lehtinen Fellowship Program, anchored at FIU in Washington, D.C., will provide FIU students with unmatched opportunities to engage in public service. Program components include:
- Semester-long, paid congressional internships in bipartisan offices on Capitol Hill
- Quarterly leadership seminars at FIU in D.C., featuring policymakers and experts
FIU in Washington, D.C. is a hub for policy engagement and leadership development. It offers students access to policymakers, think tanks, and national institutions, while serving as a venue for research, residencies, and public policy forums.
To learn more about the Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Legacy Project and Fellowship Program, visit: https://washingtondc.fiu.edu/talent-lab/rl-legacy