April 28, 2025

Mother's Day is upon us, and it's the perfect occasion to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary #PantherMoms who help shape our FIU community.

Whether you’re a mother, stepmother, grandmother, guardian — or even a beloved "work mom" — we’d love to celebrate you! Submit an image and a short quote to be featured on our social media pages (Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook). If you have images with your FIU graduates in the family, be sure to share that Panther pride!

To be included in our social media shoutout, be sure to submit an image and quote no later than Tuesday, May 6, by 5 p.m

We can't wait to highlight the amazing #PantherMoms who make our community stronger every day!

Questions? Contact HR Relations at (305) 348-6099.

This year's FIU Bring Your Child to Work Day was Out of This World! We hope all our future Panthers enjoyed a rewarding experience learning more about the important contributions our faculty and staff make at FIU. We also want to thank all the participating units that offered enriching activities for children to explore the cutting-edge research and programs available at FIU. 

We are updating our Human Resources Flickr album to commemorate this special occasion, and invite all Panthers to share their favorite Bring Your Child to Work Day memories with us. Simply email your images to us no later than Friday, May 2. 

Questions? Contact HR Relations at (305) 348-6099.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Meredith Newman, Distinguished University Professor, Public Policy and Administration, Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA), will commence her well-deserved retirement on Monday, May 12.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Newman by sending her well wishes via Empower.

Want to recognize your deserving colleagues nearing retirement? Complete the Retirement Token of Appreciation and University Announcement form to be featured in upcoming newsletters.

Questions? Contact the FIU Retiree Association at (305) 348-6099.

Calling all parents!

Join the Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) in their support group, Parents Growing Together, and join a welcoming space for Panther parents to connect, share, and grow.

These gatherings offer:

• Emotional Support & Community: Connect with others who understand your challenges and build meaningful friendships.
• Parenting Tips & Skill Building: Learn practical strategies and discover new ways to grow as a parent.
• Mental Wellness: Reduce stress and anxiety through shared experiences.
• Resources & Motivation: Access helpful tools and stay encouraged to reach your parenting goals.

These virtual sessions occur every second Friday of the month at noon. Be sure to register beforehand!

Questions? Contact the Office of Employee Assistance at (305) 348-2469.

Every year, the OEA joins millions of people around the country to promote awareness, provide resources, and advocate for everyone’s mental health.

The OEA is partnering with Mental Health America (MHA) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to provide tools and tips to help prioritize our wellness, reduce stigma, and support others.

This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Month is Turn Awareness into Action. The world is constantly evolving, and it can be overwhelming to navigate all the changes and challenges happening around us. The pressures of work, family, relationships, societal factors, and so many other things can significantly impact our mental wellbeing; often more than we realize.

Mental health can’t wait. Taking action for your personal mental well-being—whether by setting boundaries, reaching out for support, or practicing self-care—can make a lasting difference. This Mental Health Month, prioritize yourself and explore the resources we offer that can help you build resilience, manage challenges, and thrive.

The OEA’s goal is to provide faculty and staff with support and resources to help navigate through life's difficulties. Please use our confidential and free mental health screening program to learn more about what you might be facing.

Questions? Contact the Office of Employee Assistance at (305) 348-2469.

“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” – Glenn Close.

The OEA invites you to the new Mental Health Matters virtual workshop to learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month!

Attendees will explore mental illness prevalence, stigma, risk factors, warning signs, emotional resilience practices, available resources and much more.

Be sure to register for this virtual session held on Wednesday, May 14 at 12 p.m.

Let’s keep the conversation going and empower ourselves with knowledge that supports a healthier, more compassionate community.

Questions? Contact the Office of Employee Assistance at (305) 348-2469.

Join the OEA for their new speaker series, Let’s Talk About It, focused on promoting mental health awareness and fostering a supportive workplace culture at FIU.

In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, the first session features mental health clinician Diana Guzman, LMHC, MCAP, CCTP, CACTP. In her talk, From the Depths of Despair to the Light of Hope, Diana will share her personal journey and explore the importance of awareness, seeking help, and finding a path to healing.

Register ahead of time and join us for the first session on Wednesday, May 28 at 12 p.m. in the Green Library (GL), Room 220, MMC.

Light bites and refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!

Questions? Contact the Office of Employee Assistance at (305) 348-2469.

Beginning in the Fall 2025 semester, FIU will require all courses awarding academic credit and non-credit courses required for degrees or certificates to use Simple Syllabus. Simple Syllabus is FIU’s centralized platform for creating, managing, and distributing course syllabi.

This includes pass/fail and in-progress courses like dissertations, internships, and independent studies. In preparation for the Fall term, faculty and instructional staff are encouraged to reach out for support or to attend trainings.

Resources and in-person assistance are available at the on-campus Faculty Resource Centers below:

Modesto A. Maidique Campus

Green Library (GL)

Room 158

Biscayne Bay Campus

Academic Center 2 (AC2)

Room 240B

Check out the events calendar to view information on how to attend the Simple Syllabus Open House or register for a Simple Syllabus training session!

Questions? Contact the Simple Syllabus Support team at (305) 348-2814.

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) extends a special THANK YOU shoutout to all the volunteers who participated in the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Event on Thursday, April 10!

Participants helped protect our waterways by installing markers to remind everyone that only rain belongs down the drain. Let's continue to do our part to protect the environment by keeping our drains clean. Always dispose of waste properly, report any signs of pollution to EH&S, and never dump anything into stormwater drains. Together we can make a difference!

Do you know someone that actively promotes safe practices and behavior to ensure a safe work and learning environment? Recognize them with an EH&S Shout Out!

Do you have a topic you would like to be features in the EH&S newsletter? Submit a topic today! 

Questions? Contact Environmental Health & Safety at (305) 348-2621.

Looking for an on-campus early learning program for your child?

FIU’s Children’s Creative Learning Center (CCLC) offers a full-day, hands-on early education program for children ages 2 to 5. Designed to support development through play-based learning, the CCLC also serves as a demonstration site for university research, training, and community engagement.

The program is open to children of FIU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and nearby residents. Staff and faculty are eligible to receive a special discount on tuition rates.

Visit their website for more information and submit an application today!

Questions? Contact the Children's Creative Learning Center at (305) 348-2143.

Beginning Wednesday, May 7, phone call and SMS texts will no longer be an option for FIU's Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) login system.

To ensure uninterrupted access to your FIU accounts, it is strongly encouraged to setup the Duo Mobile application on your devices. This application will provide a secure and reliable way to log into your FIU accounts.

Questions? Contact the Division of Information Technology at 305-348-5081.

Stay informed and up-to date on FIU's policies! Please make sure to familiarize yourself with FIU policies and policy updates that may impact your work here at FIU.

The updated policies below have been recently published:

• 1930.001 Protection of Controlled Unclassified Information: This policy establishes compliance with all applicable cybersecurity standards prescribed by federal, state, institutional regulations as well as the government-wide online repository for federal-level guidance regarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and applicable grant and contract terms and conditions.

Visit the FIU Policy Library for more information.

Questions? Contact the University Compliance Office at (305) 348-2216.

Join us for the Wellness Bite Webinar: What to Do in an Emergency on Wednesday, April 30, at 12 p.m.

Wellness Bite Webinars provide our faculty and staff with bite-sized information sessions compact for a busy schedule. Be sure to review the upcoming wellness events to discover opportunities to learn, grow, and prioritize your well-being.

Remember, your time is valuable and your wellbeing matters. Register today!

Questions? Contact Benefits Administration at (305) 348-2181.

Stay current with the following important benefits updates and reminders:

• 9-Month Faculty Benefits | Reminder of Payroll Deductions for Summer Benefit Premiums
• Educational Retirement Webinars | Spring 2025
• Plan Your Financial Future with Your State Retirement Plan

Questions? Contact Benefits Administration at (305) 348-2181.

Don't miss out on these great savings offered through the Employee Perks & Services Program:



• AAA Auto Club Group
• Florida Prepaid College Plans
• Adrienne Arsht Center
• Miami Attractions & Museums
• PODS
• Equinox

Questions? Contact Benefits Administration at (305) 348-2181.

Knowledge of Financial Education (KOFE) is delighted to be back with more financial counseling resources for our workforce!

KOFE is designed to help Panthers stay financially fit by providing online self-help resources and unlimited financial coaching. To access these resources, faculty and staff can register for free using your FIU credentials.

Be sure to attend all upcoming webinars for an opportunity to win!

Questions? Contact Benefits Administration at (305) 348-2181.

Be sure to check out the FIU Calendar for a list of new and exciting events.

Want to share an event? Complete an event submission form to be featured on the FIU Calendar.

Questions? Contact calendar@fiu.edu.

FIU is a State University System of Florida member, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affirmative Action Employer for individuals with disabilities and veterans. FIU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, national origin, marital status, and veteran status in its employment decisions, programs, and activities.  For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination, contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility at 305.348.2785 or email ocrca@fiu.edu.

Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a university event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU’s Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility (CRCA) at (305) 348-2785 or accomodations@fiu.edu. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to CRCA at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.