At the invitation of Joyce J. Elam, executive dean, College of Business Administration, Mark Rosenberg, the new president of Florida International University (FIU) spoke to the college faculty on November 2, 2009.
Since becoming president, Rosenberg has been describing his commitment to “Hit the Ground Running.” The plan seeks to:
- revitalize and expand the financial base
- achieve results-oriented student-centered academic excellence
- enhance the quality and impact of research and creative initiatives
- engage the community
It was the last notion, focused on community involvement, that struck Irma Becerra-Fernandez (PhD ’94), professor, Department of Decision Sciences and Information Systems, and Pino Global Entrepreneurship Center director and fellow, who was one of more than 40 members of the faculty to attend.
“What I found most valuable in his remarks was to hear about the new emphasis on community, in particular in terms of defining our research priorities, such as disaster management and entrepreneurship,” she said. “I think this new strategy of building on our strengths will enable the university to synergize the efforts of the faculty across different disciplines.”
For Kenneth Henry, lecturer, School of Accounting, Rosenberg’s long-term vision resonated.
“It was very useful for me to have his view of where FIU would likely be at the end of the next decade,” he said.
A reception followed the presentation.