Florida International University (FIU) recently acknowledged FIU Online and its staff members in a couple of award ceremonies.
Ignite Campaign Awards
Each year FIU recognizes departments and individuals for their generosity to the Ignite program. Ignite is a fundraising campaign that encourages employees to donate to a fund benefiting students through scholarships. Contributions are directed to one of over 200 specific fund initiatives or to funds with the greatest need.
Each university unit has the option to establish their own scholarship opportunity. FIU Online established the FIU Online Distance Learning scholarship. These scholarships provide the cost of a student’s distance learning fee for one course during one semester. Through these scholarships, students can more easily achieve their dream on their own time with one less expense on the table.
For the third year in a row, FIU Online received the Apex Award. The Apex is given to units who achieve a 100% participation rate during the course of each year’s Ignite campaign. FIU Online uses a few methods to achieve this accomplishment. During new employee onboarding the importance of the initiative is explained to foster buy-in and encourage participation. Additionally, throughout the year FIU Online hosts several fun, team-building activities to raise monies. One of these eagerly anticipated activities included a department basketball tournament.
Jaclyn Coello, Event & Administration Coordinator, was also recognized with the Spark Award for promoting Ignite and coordinating the department’s contribution efforts. Jaclyn’s valuable assistance ensured that the FIU Online family met the challenge of 100% participation and remained focused on our ultimate goal, helping our students.
FIU Service & Recognition Awards
Each year FIU has an opportunity to nominate its departments and individual staff for acknowledgement at the Service & Recognition Awards ceremony. During this year’s ceremony, the FIU Online Student Success Coach team was awarded a FIU Opportunity Award.
The team included Enrique Blanco, Cynara Suarez, Eddie Leon, Martha Campos Wiltz, Janessa Guzman, Jennifer Lopez Rosa, Stephanie Pacheco and Eatheana West. This award is given to those who contribute outstanding service with a focus on student learning, innovation, and collaboration.