College of Business Administration graduate students looking for a way to connect on a personal and professional level with fellow students now have a new way to do so: the Chapman International Students Association (CISA).

With support from the Chapman Graduate School of Business at Florida International University (FIU), CISA encourages students to become involved on campus and in the community.

“Our vision is to create an atmosphere that is welcoming to graduate students who come to FIU from all parts of the country and the world,” said Amir Vasquez, CISA president. “

Vasquez notes that the new organization now has around 25 members—and is still growing.

“We’re a very diverse group,” he said. “We have members between the ages of 21 and 40 and from locations as diverse as Belize, China, Haiti and Kazakhstan.”

Priscilla Ferreira (MSHRM ’06, MBA ’00), senior manager, graduate recruitment, adds that “the club was formed to facilitate interaction among students enrolled in different graduate degree programs as well as to offer a home-away-from-home to our students.”

First club activities are a sign of great things to come.

The newly formed CISA hosted a well-attended potluck Thanksgiving dinner in November 2011, and a toy drive for Miami Children’s Hospital in December 2011.

“Future CISA events will focus on not only building friendships and networking connections but also will include more community service activities as well as guest speakers, company visits and professional development,” Vasquez said.

The organization is also committed to enabling members to attend area conferences at little or no cost.

“Some of us attended the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Economic Summit on January 13, 2012 for free.” Vasquez said. “It was a great opportunity to meet with the business community and gain insight and knowledge on the outlook for South Florida’s key industries in 2012.”