Honors Connection
Volume 1, Issue 1 August 2009
Read this newsletter because:
It is about YOU and for YOU: your stories, your questions, your experiences, your events, your achievements, and your Honors community. Main features include: • Advising Section: Email us your advising questions! • Ask Honors: Have questions about the Honors College? Suggestions on what we can do to make your Honors College experience better? Write to us! • Your Faculty/Staff: Learn more about your Honors faculty and staff through brief biographies. • Student Spotlight: Highlights an Honors student’s research, leadership, volunteer, or internship experience. • Event Spotlight: Announces Honors events or comments on past events. • How It Works: Email your questions, comments, ideas, stories, and pictures to Cecile Houry at choury@fiu.edu
Advising Section
Meet the Honors College Student Services Staff Jayne Klein Coordinator of Student Services at BBC
Jayne grew up in Manhattan and got her BA from Hunter College (NY). She then worked for publishing company Harcourt Brace Jovanovich as a college textbook editor. She moved to Miami in 1988 and worked as an Account Executive for a number of radio stations. She has been at FIU for 14 years, the last 4 in the Honors College. She earned a Masters degree in Religious Studies at FIU in 2004. She then began doctoral studies in Higher Education (also at FIU). At present, she is in the data collection phase of her dissertation, hoping to complete it in the spring or summer of 2010. She has been teaching as an adjunct professor for the Religious Studies Department for the past 5 years, and discovered how much she loves to teach.
Q. Do I need to take nine credits during the summer ?
A. All students are required to take nine credits of
coursework at a public university in Florida during any summer semester before they graduate.
Students who enter FIU with a total of nine credits or more of AP, IB or dual enrollment credit or those who enter FIU with an AA degree from a state college, are exempt from this requirement.
Students with fewer than nine credits of AP, IB or dual enrollment credit when they enter FIU will need to adhere to the nine credits of summer coursework rule.
Her passion is the work she has been doing for the past 21/2 years with the Overtown Youth Center, with which she formed a partnership to provide tutoring, mentoring, and other services, to underprivileged youth in Overtown. She expects that the remainder of her life’s work will be dedicated to helping kids transcend their living circumstances and develop their inherent potential. Her other interests include basketball (watching, not playing – she is a Heat season ticket holder), scuba diving, reading, traveling, music, and art. Lilian Hernandez Coordinator of Recruitment and Scholarships
Lili manages all recruitment activities and provides admission and scholarship advising to incoming and prospective students. As a magna cum laude Honors College alumna, she is able to share her own experiences with Honors and pay forward the same type of opportunities she as an undergrad.
Q. Can I take the CLAST exam? A. In June 2009, the State of Florida Legislature
suspended funding for the CLAST exam. While the requirement still exists, there is no longer a paperpencil or computer-based exam. Students can meet the requirement in one of two ways: • Score at least 500 in math and verbal on the SAT or 21 in Math, 22 in Reading, and 21 in English on the ACT. • Have a 2.5 GPA in six credits of ENC courses, and have a 2.5 in six credits of math courses (including College Algebra).For more information, visit http://testing.fiu.edu.
Lili earned a bachelor’s of business administration with a concentration in finance in 2004 from FIU. Her competitive spirit has led her to train for the NYC Marathon, which she will run this November.
He also teaches business communication, public speaking, freshman experience, and Honors Leadership.
Cecile Houry
Rachelle was an Honors College student and graduated from FIU with a bachelor’s in psychology. Participating in the Honors College and going to Italy through the College Study Abroad Program is her favorite memory of her undergraduate years. Rachelle is currently earning a master’s in mental health counseling through the College of Education.
Coordinator of Student Enrichment
Cecile was born and raised in France. She graduated with a BA in English from the University of Orleans in 2000. She moved to Miami in 2000 to study history at the University of Miami and earned a master’s in history in 2002. Cecile then began working on her Ph.D. Her doctoral dissertation focuses on American women and the summer Olympic Games. For the last two years, she taught U.S. history, world history, and civics at the Belen Jesuit School. Her interests include basketball, which she played for more than ten years in France, and all other types of sports. Jose Rodriguez Assistant Dean
José has served students for nearly a decade, beginning as an academic advisor at the University of Miami’s Department of Psychology before moving to Florida International University in 2005. At FIU, he has served as an academic advisor with the College of Business, Director of the Office of Student Services for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He is currently an Assistant Dean in the Honors College.
Rachelle Galindo Academic Advisor
Alan Raudez Academic Advisor
Originally from California, Alan began his academic career in Miami. He earned an Associate in Arts degree from Miami Dade College. He transferred to FIU and earned a BA in history and a second BA in liberal studies. He is currently enrolled in FIU’s University Graduate School to complete his master’s degree in public administration. Before joining the Honors College, Alan advised undergraduate and graduate students at FIU for about four years as a recruiter/advisor with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and as Coordinator of Enrollment and Advisement for graduate students at the School of Architecture.
Program Assistant
While serving as the Program Assistant for the Students Services Division, David is also completing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. When he is not working or studying he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter at the beach or catching a late night movie.
Important Dates
David Aviles
08.28.09 Payment due 08.29.09 Last day to drop courses or withdraw from FIU without financial liability 08.31.09 Last day to add courses 09.18.09 Last day to withdraw from FIU with a 25% refund 10.16.09 Last day to drop a course with a DR grade 11.12.09 Registration reopens by appointment
CHECK YOUR FIU EMAIL! The Honors College and FIU will be sending you important dates and deadline information.
Don’t be left behind!
Student Spotlight: William Dovale After serving four years in the U.S. Navy, William Dovale joined FIU and the Honors College. He benefitted from the Willis Holcombe Scholarship and participated in the Spain Study Abroad program. In August 2008, he graduated cum laude with a B.A. in international relations and a minor in economics. William is currently a graduate student in the School of Business, working on his M.S. in management of information systems. He will graduate in December 2009. In the Fall of 2009, he will begin to pursue a second master’s degree in international affairs, planning to switch to the Ph.D. track sometimes in 2010. William was selected as the 2009 Public Service Leader Scholar by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. The Agriculture Department pays for his tuition and books, and provides him with a laptop until he graduates. Every summer, he will fly to Washington, D.C., to work in one of the functional fields in the Foreign Agricultural Service. William is especially interested in international economics, global analysis, or international development. Upon graduation with his master’s, he automatically becomes a permanent employee of the USDA in international trade. Top: William Dovale with his wife, his 5-year-old son, Keanu, and his 8-month-old daughter, Lylah. Bottom: The Secretary of Agriculture awarding William Dovale a plaque for being chosen as the 2009 PSLS for FAS.
Ask Honors
Q. What are the Honors College citizenship requirements?
A. Every Honors College student must fulfill the
following requirements to stay in good standing in the Honors College: • Attend at least one Honors Excellence Lecture and one Honors Colloquium per year • Participate in the Honors Convocation on October 15th, 2009 • Attend at least three Honors Hours per semester
Honors students can also participate in some optional citizenship opportunities: • Community service • Student organizations • State, regional, and national Honors Conferences • Contributions to the Honors College Summa Cum Laude newsletter • Participation in Honors enrichment events, such as the business etiquette dinner, brunches with leaders, workshops on careers, and so on. Stay in good standing!!!
Honors Hour Fall Schedule 3:30 - 4:45 pm
September 17 DM100 22 BBC 24 DM100 29 BBC
MUSE Colloquium: Prof. Jane Daugherty Study Abroad Study Abroad
October 1 TBA 6 DM100 8 DM100 13 BBC 20 DM100 22 DM100 29 GC 243
Colloquium: Prof. Bennett Schwartz Financial Workshop Dept. of State Internships and Fellowships Grad and Med School Grad and Med School Scholarships & Fellowships Excellence Lecture: Dr. Garth Graham
November 3 DM100 5 DM100 10 DM100 12 DM100 12 BBC 19 TBA
Fishbowl SRAI Pre-Health Profession Stress Management SRAI Colloquium: Prof. Marifeli Perez-Stable
Important Dates Sep 11 Honors College Reception at the Wolfsonian Sep 26 Honors College Football Tailgate Oct 15 Convocation Dec 4 Awards Assembly