Get Excited for Homecoming 2025! | | |
Homecoming Week is quickly approaching and we're brining the WILD energy!
Experience a week of Panther Pride from Friday, November 7 to Saturday, November 15, featuring celebrations and events that connect students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, and our greater community.
Show your blue and gold spirit and encourage your colleagues to rally and take part in these fun and festive activities before the deadlines close:
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Deadline Approaching! Homecoming Faculty & Staff Royalty
Who will lead the pride this year? Nominate a colleague no later than Wednesday, October 29.
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Homecoming Spirit Decorating Competition
Register and submit your entry and competition pictures by Monday, November 3!
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Roaring Spirit Bake-Off
Do you have what it takes to be named the Roaring Spirit Bake-Off Champion? Submit your image and recipe by Monday, November 3.
| | Visit hc.fiu.edu for a full list of fun events and activities like Roary's Rocking Run, Clash of the Panthers, the Uncaging, and the Homecoming game! | | Upcoming Office of Employee Assistance Programs | | |
The Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) is here to help FIU faculty and staff thrive! From mental health assessments, to wellness programs, the OEA strengthens well-being and fosters a healthier campus community.
Discover their upcoming programs below and explore new ways to care for yourself and those around you!
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Reframing Depression: A Mindful and Compassionate Exploration
Depression affects many people, often quietly, and can influence how we feel, think, and relate to others. Join the OEA in their Fall webinar, Reframing Depression: A Mindful and Compassionate Exploration, and take a thoughtful look at depression, including its emotional, physical, and cognitive dimensions, in a way that fosters understanding rather than judgment.
In this interactive workshop, attendees will learn to distinguish sadness from depression, reframe it as a signal guiding compassionate self-awareness, and explore the many layers of the human experience through curiosity, mindfulness, and self-compassion strategies.
Discover ways to support your well-being and RSVP for a 12 p.m. webinar on the following dates:
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Let's Talk About It: Conversations About Mental Health
The OEA invites you to the second Let’s Talk About It: Conversations About Mental Health session on Tuesday, October 28 at 12 p.m. in the Green Library, room 220!
Join Officer Michael "Mike" Black from the FIU Police Department as he shares his personal story in honor of National Depression Awareness Month, highlighting how to recognize the signs, seek help, and find strength in recovery.
Be sure to register ahead of time to attend!
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Seasonal Perks & Promotion
Check out the great savings offered to our faculty and staff through the Employee Perks & Services Program:
- AAA Auto Club Group
- Alzheimer's Association
- Florida Prepaid College Plans
- Tropical Smoothie Café
For a complete list of employee perks, please visit the FIU’s Employee Perks site.
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Benefits Reminders
Keep yourself informed with the latest benefits updates and reminders designed to support you:
- Open Enrollment is ending soon on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 6 p.m. ET
- Third paycheck of the month | No premium deductions
- Financial planning resources from your state of Florida retirement plans
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Discover Your Scholarship Options!
Are you or your dependent(s) currently pursuing a degree at FIU? Please make sure to explore the exclusive scholarships available to our workforce.
Applications are open until Monday, November 3, for the following scholarships:
Be sure to check out the rest of our scholarships and take advantage of these exclusive educational benefits!
| Questions? Contact the Benefits Administration at (305) 348-2181. | |
Save the Date for the Virtual Graduate School Fair
Are you ready for the next stage of your academic career or looking to level up in your profession? RSVP to the Virtual Graduate School Fair on Wednesday, November 5 from 12 to 4 p.m.!
Explore over 140 graduate programs at FIU by participating in interactive sessions, connecting with program representatives, and learning about funding opportunities to help you succeed.
As an FIU benefit, faculty and staff should review the criteria for utilizing Tuition Waiver to make the most of this opportunity.
Questions? Contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (305) 348-8419.
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FIU KOFE Financial Wellness
KOFE (Knowledge of Financial Education) is here to help Panthers take control of their finances with confidence.
With this free benefit to faculty and staff, you have access to a wealth of online self-help tools and unlimited financial coaching. Register for free using your FIU credentials and don't miss KOFE’s monthly webinars, held every third Wednesday, for expert tips on budgeting, saving, and more.
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Wellness Bite Webinar
Hosted by: Benefits Administration
Wednesday, October 29 at 12 p.m. via Zoom
| Questions? Contact Benefits Administration at 305-348-2181. | |
Mindful Mondays Drop-In Sessions
Start off your work week feeling recharged by tuning into virtual Mindful Mondays sessions, taking place every Monday from 12 to 12:30 p.m.!
In short, rejuvenating lunchtime sessions, you'll explore techniques that cultivate presence, awareness, and resilience.
Each session features a brief introduction, a guided meditation, and Q&A. Whether you're just starting out or have been meditating for years, you'll acquire practical tools to integrate mindfulness into both your work and personal life. We hope to see you there! Register today to participate!
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Final Reminder: Upcoming Training with Records Management
The Records Management 101: FIU's Guide to Compliance and Efficiency training is almost here!
Don't miss this chance to strengthen your knowledge on how to properly handle and protect FIU records. Join your fellow faculty and staff in supporting a culture of compliance, and earn development hours along the way!
Make sure to RSVP to attend and don’t miss this chance to learn practical tips!
| Questions? Contact the Records Management at (305) 348-1377. | | |
Play to Win in the Cyberween Challenge!
From now until Friday, October 31, employees can put their cyber hygiene skills to the test for a chance to win a $50 Panther TECH gift card.
Join the fun and compete against other Florida universities; the school with the most participants will take home the title!
This is your chance to showcase your cybersecurity knowledge! It only takes a few minutes to complete, and your participation makes a difference. Get started and help FIU secure the win!
Questions? Contact the Division of IT
at (305) 348-2738.
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Save 15% at the Graham Center's CVS Beauty Machine
If you haven't had a chance to visit the new CVS Beauty vending machine in the Graham Center (GC), be sure to check it out!
Offering products from brands that include Neutrogena, e.l.f., Sun Bum, CeraVe and more, it's your one-stop shop for self-care.
The CVS Beauty machine is located in the vending bank near Wayki's and the Cyber lounge in GC. To celebrate this new venture, they are offering 15% off all purchases between now and Sunday, November 30. When checking out, use the code "ILOVEFIU" to claim the discount.
Questions? Contact Business Services at (305) 348-7247.
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FIU’s 34th Annual Children’s Holiday Celebration
Join a cherished FIU tradition by welcoming 100 students from Miami-Dade County Title I elementary schools for the Children's Holiday Celebration, taking place on Tuesday, December 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Graham Center (GC) ballrooms!
Tickets for this event are $45 each or $450 for a table of ten. Be sure to contact Leif Amrhein, outreach & partnership manager, Division of Student Affairs, via email to purchase your ticket(s).
You can also make a bigger impact through the Sponsor A School campaign. A $1,000 departmental sponsorship fully supports one of seventeen participating schools, providing holiday gifts and engaging activities.
To sponsor a school, make sure to complete the brief Qualtrics Survey. Questions can be directed to Anthony Teague, director of operations and outreach, Innovative Education and Student Success, via email.
Questions? Contact the Office of Student Access & Success at (305) 348-7588
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EH&S News and More!
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) would like to send a special thank you to those who participated in September's Stormwater Labeling event. Your volunteering helps increase awareness and promote good maintenance practices. Let’s continue to keep FIU’s stormwater systems bootiful and compliant!
As the season brings spooky fun, it’s important to remember that stormwater runoff can carry pollutants like trash, oils, and chemicals into our waterways. Help us prevent frightful situations by keeping work areas clean and never dumping anything into storm drains. If you spot anything suspicious like spills or discharge, don’t ghost it - Report it to EH&S!
Make sure to check out the EH&S October Newsletter for more safety highlights and the EH&S website upcoming events.
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| | 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 accommodations@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. | | | | |