More than 1,000 students in the College of Business at Florida International University (FIU) graduated in Summer Commencement ceremonies on Tuesday, August 14, 2012. In the morning, 523 business students received their bachelor’s degrees; 511 graduate students, three of them new PhDs, graduated in the afternoon.
Among the many special moments: FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg acknowledged the contributions of Joyce J. Elam, executive dean of the college, who is stepping down from that position after fifteen years; Daniel Zamora (MACC ’12, BACC ’10), who passed away on August 4, 2012, was awarded his Master of Accounting (MACC) posthumously. Dean Elam presented the diploma to his parents, Iliana and Colon Zamora.
Three new Worlds Ahead Graduates have business degrees.
The Worlds Ahead Graduate designation singles out individuals with strong leadership qualities, a desire to change lives and a record of academic achievement. Three FIU Business students received this prestigious recognition.
Carlos E. Gomez (BBA ’12) majored in international business and finance, and is pursuing a master’s degree in East Asian studies at Stanford University. As an undergraduate, he participated in case competitions—including as a member of the Johnson & Johnson Case Competition team that finished in third place nationally—traveled to Beijing where he learned to speak Mandarin, presented at prestigious research conferences and wrote his honor’s thesis on social responsibility.
Andres Dominguez (PMBA ’12) completed the Professional MBA, a program that he credits with giving him the essential knowledge he needed as the cofounder and director of Natural Sins, which develops, manufactures and sells healthy snack foods. Natural Sins products are now selling on Amazon as well as in Costa Rica and Panama, with several new Latin American markets planned this year. He graduated with a 3.83 GPA.
Teresa Hernandez (MACC ’12, BACC ’10) completed her Master of Accounting (MACC) with a 4.0 GPA and has accepted a full-time position with Deloitte and Touche. She began her college career at Miami Dade College and went on to receive a Bachelor of Accounting (BACC) from FIU, graduating with a 3.97 GPA. After her selection for an internship at Deloitte and Touche, she took three of the four CPA Examinations and passed them on her first try.
Valued employees earn degrees.
Thirteen staff members in the business school were among the graduates, completing business programs and many others.
Christian Aguilar (MACC ’12), accounting tutor in the Ernst & Young Student Learning Lab and student assistant for the School of Accounting, received a Master of Accounting. Aguilar, who previously completed the Graduate Certificate Foundations in Accounting and Auditing, has accepted a position as an assurance associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Cassandra Alonso (MSHRM ’12, BA ’08), manager of undergraduate academic support services in the Landon Undergraduate School, received the college’s Master of Science in Human Resource Management. Her undergraduate degree was in history with a minor in international relations.
Carolina Berget (MS ’12) program manager, graduate management programs in the Chapman Graduate School, received her Master of Science in environmental studies.
Denni Florian (MSMIS ’12), dean’s office, Business-IT Alignment liaison, received her Master of Science in Management Information Systems.
Rosa Garcia (MSHRM ’12, BS ’09), departmental functions manager, Department of Management and International Business, received her Master of Science in Human Resource Management. Her undergraduate degree is in criminal justice.
Amelia Honores (MSF ’12, BBA ’10), the college’s PhD program coordinator, received her Master of Science in Finance and is now the program’s manager. She majored in finance as an undergraduate.
Sara-Michelle Lemus (BS ’12) received her Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. She was a student assistant in the Department of Management and International Business and is now an office assistant in the department.
Christine Montero (BS ’12), program assistant, Global MBA programs, received her Bachelor of Science in political science.
Shyrose Razwani (MSF ’12), finance tutor in the Ernst & Young Student Learning Lab and a graduate assistant in the Department of Finance and Real Estate received the college’s Master of Science in Finance.
Karen Riera (PMBA ’12, BBA ’09), the senior program manager for the business school’s finance and real estate graduate programs, completed the Professional MBA. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with majors in finance and marketing, and was promoted from program coordinator to her new position upon completing the master’s degree.
Cristobal Ruiz (MSF ’12, BS ’10), assistant director, School of Accounting, received his Master of Science in Finance. His Bachelor of Science was in recreation and sports management.
Sara Tippit (MSF ’12, BBA ’05), associate director, finance in the college’s Department of Finance and Administration, received her Master of Science in Finance. She majored in finance as an undergraduate.
Adrian Vengoechea (BS ’12), accounts manager, Center for Leadership (CFL), received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering.
