Office of Alumni Relations Overview

Our Mission

To serve the community of FIU alumni, students, and friends by providing lifelong connections to Florida International University

 

Our Vision

To be recognized as a vital partner in advancing the strategic goals of Florida International University.

Our Organizational Structure

Office of Alumni Relations is comprised of 9 professional staff and 2 student assistants

George DraughonAssociate Vice President, Alumni Relations

44904

Alina AlfonsoOffice Manager

41900

Melissa MarerroOPS

Student Assistant

Isabella LopezOPS

Student Assistant

Silvia InfanteSenior Secretary

45977

Duane WilesAssoc. Executive Director, Alumni Relations

43889

Dianne ValdiviaMembership Manager

34705

TBAOPS

Student Assistant

TBAAsst. Director, Student and Campus Outreach

44957

TBAAsst. Director, Chapters & Young Alumni

45204

Elena BalsindeAssistant Director, Outreach & Special Events

42825

TBACoordinator, Special Events

42083

Robert PerezSenior Program Coordinator

34168

TBACoordinator, Alumni Special Projects

41514

Our Demographics (as of 11/29/10) 

  All living alumni in database (152,556)All living alumni with verified mailing addresses (102,736)All living alumni with verified telephone numbers (64,609) All living alumni with verified email addresses (61,401)All living friends of FIU (40,385)All living alumni residing in SoFla area (116,993)  Miami-Dade (86,085)  Broward (24,176)  Palm Beach (6,238)  Monroe (494)All living alumni Female (87,989)All living alumni Male (64,567)Alumni who are dues paying members (16,263)  

Our Strategic Directions

1. MEMBERSHIP: The Association will aggressively increase the number of alumni members. Membership in the Association is the gateway for alumni involvement at FIU. We offer valued benefits to attract and retain alumni as members of the Association. Membership is a commitment each member makes to maintain his/her connection to FIU, not just a means of revenue to support the Association’s business and programs.  2. STUDENTS: The Association will support today’s students and their life-long relationships with FIU. The Association will work to improve the quality of the student experience by creating opportunities for meaningful relationships between alumni and students, preserve and enhance campus traditions that increase affinity, develop student leaders, and increase scholarship support to undergraduate and graduate students.  3. DIVERSITY: The Association will reflect diverse representation in its membership, volunteer leadership, and staff. The Association must continuously change and adapt to understand and acknowledge the interests, lifestyles and priorities of alumni, appealing to them in meaningful ways that help them feel welcome and valued.  4. LEADERSHIP: The Association will continue expanding the pool of qualified and informed alumni to provide leadership for the future. The Association must continue to develop a comprehensive volunteer development program, encompassing recruitment, orientation, training, placement, leadership opportunities, advocacy, and recognition.  5. CAMPUS RELATIONS: The Association will strengthen its relationship with other University leaders to increase collaboration on issues, activities and priorities. The Association will partner with FIU’s Career Services to develop a career program for alumni. The Association will partner with Student Affairs to grow the Panther Parents Association and work with Continuing and Professional Studies to promote lifelong learning and continuing education opportunities for alumni.

Our Strategic Directions (Continued)

6. GIVING: The Association will actively promote alumni giving to FIU. In partnership with Advancement, we will focus on increasing the number of alumni donors, fundraising to build an Alumni Center, and growing an alumni Scholarship endowment.  7. REACH: The Association will create and promote benefits that maximize its impact and reach in the alumni population. The Association will focus its efforts in ways that will reach the largest concentrations of alumni. The Association will provide consistent and up-to-date communication to alumni, students and friends of the University through vehicles such as the FIU Magazine, Bi-weekly alumni e-announcements, social networking sites (i.e. Linkedin, Facebook, My Panther Network, Twitter), and our online community at fiualumni.com.  8. COMMUNITY: The Association will identify and provide opportunities to help alumni build their personal and professional networks and relationships. Every interaction between alumni promotes their individual involvement and development. We will become more involved in community outreach developing partnerships with various community groups (Chambers, Leadership Broward and Miami).  9. FINANCIAL STABILITY: The Association will pursue an active growth-based strategy, creating, identifying, and expanding its revenue sources through affinity partnership and sponsorship opportunities.  10. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: The Association will secure and manage its resources to effectively and efficiently support strategic growth. Staff training and environmental/technical resources must keep pace with the growth of the Association.

Our Events & Programs 

• Torch Awards Gala – recognizing university’s most outstanding alumni, plus a faculty member for contributions to their fields, the community and their alma mater; Award Categories include: Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna, Charles E. Perry Visionary Award, FIU Service Award, Community Leadership

• Fishing Tournament – annual competitive family event held at the beautiful Miami Beach Marina and Monty’s South Beach

•Scholarships – recognizes high school seniors, current undergraduates and transfer students for their academic and leadership achievements

• Career Fairs – providing alumni an opportunity to meet with a variety of companies and graduate schools from around the nation to find the job or school of their choice

• Book Awards – partnership between participating high schools and the Alumni Association whereby select outstanding high school juniors are presented a book written by a FIU faculty member

Our Events & Programs (Continued)

• Alumni Chapters – volunteer alumni groups supporting the mission of the Alumni Association

• Young Alumni Programming – programming specifically geared toward alumni 39 years or younger

• Student Alumni Association – programming specifically geared toward currently enrolled students

• FIU Alumni Day (aka Corporate Day) Program – programming specifically geared toward alumni working within major corporations

• Alumni Association Tailgate Parties – pre-game festive event for home and away games starting 2 ½ hrs. prior to kickoff

•Grad Send-Off – event geared toward fall and spring graduates providing an opportunity for them to take care of their graduation needs and join the Alumni Association

Our Events & Programs (Continued)

• Golden Panther Getaways – traveling program for FIU alumni and friends

• Order of the Torch – an honorary leadership society of current students (juniors/seniors)

• FIU Nights – alumni gatherings at local sports events including the World Champion Marlins, Miami Heat, Florida Panthers and Miami Dolphins

• Mentoring Program – program whereby students are matched with FIU alumni who have similar academic/career aspirations as well as personal interests and hobbies

• Greek Alumni Reunion – annual event for our Greek affiliated alumni

• Peer Advisor Reunion – annual event for our former Student Orientation leaders

• FIU Day at the Capitol – annual alumni reception hosted by the Alumni Association in Tallahassee to celebrate FIU

• Annual Meeting – an annual meeting of the FIU Alumni Association Board of Directors and its members

Our Volunteer Opportunities

Student Mentoring – Meet and interact with our future Golden Panther alumni and help them with their career goals and aspirations. As a mentor, you help define the level of interaction and work with students to coordinate a flexible schedule for mentoring activities.

Student Recruitment – Alumni participation is key to FIU continuing to attract the best and brightest students. Alumni are needed for various recruitment activities both in and out of state.

Chapter Development – Alumni chapters are chartered organizations of the FIU Alumni Association consisting of alumni and friends that support the goals and mission of Florida International University. The Association is always looking for leaders to help existing chapters as well as starting those on the horizon.

Our Volunteer Opportunities (Continued)

Special Events – Planning for the many events the Association coordinate annually takes a lot of effort and energy. These events include the Torch Awards Gala, Fishing Tournaments, and Football Tailgate Parties.

Board Committees – Help carry out specific responsibilities and support the Alumni Association’s mission and goals by providing leadership to a specific activity. Committees are formed on fairly broad areas of responsibility or organized around specific events, activities, and programs.

MembershipMembership is vitally important to the Alumni Association and the university. It is the primary method of involving alumni and friends in the FIU community.

WHO CAN JOIN

Anyone can join the Florida International University Alumni Association. You don’t have to be a graduate or even have attended the university. Currently, we have over 20,000 dues paying members.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

1. Identification as a loyal supporter of FIU and the programs sponsored by the Alumni Association

2. Personalized membership ID card, keytag, and car window decal

3. Annual subscription to the FIU Magazine

4. Receive bi-weekly e-announcement

5. Discount season tickets to home football games

Membership (Continued)

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

7. Panther Perk discounts of 10-20% and above on shopping, dining, car rentals, theme parks, travel and more

8. Exclusive lifetime membership premiums

MEMBERSHIP TERM

Annual memberships run from one year from the date of joining. For example, if you join in October, your membership runs from October to October.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

We currently offer annual, multi-year, lifetime dues for alumni, students, friends and parents. We have an installment plan for lifetime dues and payroll deduction option for all FIU employees.

Membership (Continued)

MEMBERSHIP SOLICITATION

The Alumni Association conducts direct mail campaigns at least 2-times each year to all former members (both alumni and friends alike), and all alumni who have never been members.

MEMBERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Alumni Association along with Data Management & Gift Services handles all membership administration. When someone joins, a database record is created, a personalized card and membership package is mailed.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

The Alumni Association manages the entire renewal process. A series of up to 3 buck slips are mailed along with 2 e-renewals to every member, encouraging them to renew.