Each year, the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) awards the Brillante Award for Excellence to outstanding corporate and educational leaders that reflect the society’s mission to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development.
The 2008 Brillante Award for an educational institution went to Florida International University’s (FIU) College of Business Administration. The college was recognized at the Brillante Awards Gala, hosted by Deloitte, which capped the NSHMBA 2008 Conference and Career Expo held October 9-11, 2008, in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Our active support of NSHMBA’s mission to enhance opportunities for Hispanics in the business world comes naturally,” said Joyce J. Elam, executive dean. “Not only are we number one in the country in granting bachelor’s and master’s degrees to Hispanics according to Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, but also our students have cultural roots from all across Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and Europe—a diversity that reflects Miami’s unique position as ‘the crossroads of The Americas.’”
Other 2008 award recipients place the college in very good company and include Rudy Beserra, vice president of Latin affairs for The Coca-Cola Company; Loida Rosario, with DePaul University; Tillie Hidalgo Lima, president and CEO of Best Upon Request Corporate, Inc.; American Express; and the National Hispanic Business Association.
Established in 1989, the Brillante Award remains the most prestigious honor granted by NSHMBA.
“The individuals and organizations awarded the Brillante Award for Excellence are truly dedicated and determined to make a significant impact in the business world and the Hispanic community,” said Lourdes Hassler, NSHMBA CEO.
NSHMBA event provides excellent networking opportunity.
Twenty-four students in the university’s graduate programs made their way to Atlanta to participate in this year’s event.
Current International MBA (IMBA) student Emmanuel Roman (BBA ’08) saw the NSHMBA Conference and Career Expo as an excellent opportunity to connect directly with a diverse group of Fortune 500 companies.
“If you are serious about getting a job after graduate school, NSHMBA is the place to go,” he said. “I talked with recruiters looking for people at every experience level in a variety of fields—from finance to consulting to management.”
For Grace Ugalde, now enrolled in the Evening MBA program, attending NSHMBA provided a strategic step in her plan to move from a smaller company to a global organization.
Her advice to other MBA students?
“Do your research and go prepared to take full advantage of this incredible opportunity to interact directly with top companies,” she said. “It’s a great way to network with corporate recruiters so they can connect your face with your résumé—always a plus in this competitive world.”
