“When I learned I could at last finish my college degree by taking classes at 7:00 a.m. and still get to work on time, I thought ‘That’s perfect!’”
Those words from Joel D. Valencia (PBBA ’11) capture the spirit and determination of the latest graduating class earning their Professional BBA from the College of Business Administration at Florida International University (FIU). These students celebrated their achievement at a graduation dinner this spring at Texas de Brazil.
The class of 45 took advantage of the Professional BBA (PBBA) Sunrise program which offers early morning classes for people who have earned an Associate of Arts degree in a Florida public institution or 60 college credits but never completed their degree. The college also offers a Weekend program. In both PBBA programs a group enters at the same time and takes all courses together.
Valencia, whose daughter attends FIU, fulfilled his lifelong dream of receiving his bachelor’s degree.
“I’ve been busy running my own real estate brokerage company, but FIU made earning my degree within my reach,” said Valencia, a class valedictorian. “In July, I’m starting on my MBA.”
Julio Arboleda (PBBA ’11) was also a class valedictorian.
“Earning my degree has been my desire for two decades,” said Arboleda, a Department of Defense contractor working as an audio video technician for X-eeto. “Now in my forties, I am starting the life I always wanted.”
Class has reason to celebrate.
At the dinner, Associate Dean Clifford Perry, who serves as PBBA program director, congratulated the students on their determination and hard work.
The Circle of Excellence Award was presented to faculty member Wendy Gelman.
Ternecia Mosley (PBBA ’11) received the Class Leadership Award.
“I went for my degree to increase my human capital,” said Mosley, who’s relocating to Oak Ridge, Tennessee for a position at the U.S. Department of Energy. “The PBBA program fit my lifestyle as a single mother working full time. It also provided me a learning environment with other experienced adults rather than the traditional young student population.”
The next PBBA Sunrise program begins September 26, 2011.
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