Florida International University D.C. Summer Internship Experience

End of Summer Report 2014

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Opening Letter 3 Executive Summary 4 Student Intern Placements 5 D.C. Summer Internship Experience Programming 6

Signature Events 7 FIUinDC Events 8 Partner Events 9 Other Efforts 10

Mentorships 11 Testimonials 12 Additional Highlights 2010-2015 14 Special Thanks 15

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Greetings! Each semester, many of Florida International University’s best and brightest minds arrive in the nation’s capital to pursue their dreams on Capitol Hill, at federal agencies, or in the private and non-profit sectors. At the conclusion of our fifth summer presenting the D.C. Summer Internship Experience, we present this summary of this year’s activities and outcomes. Our partnership brings together the Office of Governmental Relations, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Division of Student Affairs, Offices of Engagement and Career Services, and the Student Government Association to help propel the success of our students and recent graduates. In addition to the valuable experience that our students gained during their internship, we successfully created opportunities for them to learn more about the federal policy arena, expand their own professional network, and serve as Ambassadors for FIU. We believe that Washington, D.C. is an exciting and vibrant place to be during the summer. It is also where careers and personal endeavors take new and unexpected paths based on the power of relationships. As FIU seeks to be Worlds Ahead by expanding opportunities for its current students and alumni, having a strong foothold in our nation’s capital is key. This summer marks a reinvigorated commitment to this idea. In Panther Spirit,

Christian Gonzalez Steve Sauls John Stack Carlos Becerra Coordinator Vice President Director Director D.C. Summer Internship Governmental School of International Federal Relations Experience Relations and Public Affairs

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Executive Summary The summer of 2014 has been a very exciting and invigorating period for Florida International University (FIU) in our nation’s capital and its students and recent graduates serving in internships in Capitol Hill, at federal agencies, or in the private and non-profit sectors. We have made great strides to provide our Panthers with enriching experiences as they propelled their own careers during their internships. Additionally, these students and recent graduates help make our presence known to our nation’s leaders, reminding them of importance of FIU as a beacon for growth and entrepreneurship in South Florida and our nation. We also reinforced FIU’s strong commitment to its alumni network. Today, FIU alumni relations is an important part of these interns’ professional development strategies and of course, our institution's advancement. Some highlights of this summer’s success include:

hosted over 45 of FIU’s best and brightest in our nation’s capital more than 10 students were placed in over 6 federal agencies including the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

coordinated over 15 exciting discussions, workshops, and other events, including 6 signature programs: Welcome Orientation; Life on the Hill; Meet and Greet with President Rosenberg; Social Media/Branding; Globalization in Practice; and the Annual Alumni Picnic and BBQ

facilitated over 18 meaningful mentorship matches with alumni mentors recruited over 40 alumni to serve as ongoing mentors 2 recent grads from this summer’s cohort transitioned to full-time employment participated in the White House Champions for Change convening on

DACA/Immigration reform thanks to the efforts of our supporters in Tallahassee, FIU sponsored over 20

students to participate The Washington Center Internship Program (the Washington Center will be awarding the 2014 State Partnership of the Year Award to the State of FL for this success)

participated in the success of the FIU Wall of Wind exhibit launch at the National Building Museum

visited over 10 internship worksites to catalogue experiences of interns and meet supervisors

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45 Panther Interns! Student Intern Placements

NAME INTERNSHIP SITE Alethea De Venecia The Washington Center Alfredo Sarduy The Charles Group Alicia Dobson The Washington Center Amelia Garcia Senator Marco Rubio Andrea Acosta The Washington Center Angie Fleurissaint US Department of Agriculture Antonio Hickman-Diaz Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Aubrey Anne Burgess Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Augusto Bejar The Washington Center Bianca Ordoñez Community RED Christina LaRocca Embassy of Ecuador Cristina Garcia The Washington Center Daniel Stolz National Jewish Democratic Council Danielle Tidline Pan American Health Organization Deanna Moya US Department of Energy Environmental Office Devian Wilcox Marsh & McLennan Companies Dianelis Lazo The Washington Center Giancarlo Lombardi NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Hermiose Dornevil Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Jahvaris Fulton Congresswoman Frederica Wilson Javier Zapata Washington Parks & People Jennifer Flores The Washington Center Jesus Barroso The Washington Center Jonathan Riveras Senator Marco Rubio Juan Pham Congresswoman Iliana Ros-Leihten Karen Pinzon The Washington Center Katie Lepri Scripps Washington Bureau Liana Apolis National Institutes of Health Mariapia Carbajal US Department of Agriculture Michael Vergara Embassy of Ecuador Nalinee Hargobin The Washington Center Natalia Duque US Department of Energy Nathalie Duque Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Nicolas Wulff Congressman Joe Garcia Nicole Gomez The Washington Center PJ Campbell FIU Office of Federal Relations Rachel Villalba US Marshals - Department of Justice Raul Herrera The Circle of Friends for American Veterans Rosario Vidales US Department of Agriculture Samantha Scully The Washington Center Susan Tapia Congressman Eni Faleomavaega Tiffany Roman Biffa Hispanic Heritage Foundation Valentina Pilonieta The Smithsonian

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Over 15 events! D.C. Summer Internship Experience Programming Color Key

Signature Events FIUinDC Events Partner Organization Events Recreational Activities to be Determined by Group

May 14th Sendoff event in Miami May 27th Nationals vs. Marlins Game June 3rd Meet and Greet Orientation June 9th Life on the Hill Event June 11-12th CNC 17th Annual Conference June 18th GLOWS Capstone Event: Lessons from the Leading Edge June 18th Congressional Softball game June 19th Cuba Research Institute - Poll Release June 24th Intern Dinner with President Rosenberg June 25th Wall of Wind Event July 4th 4th of July Festivities July 13th FIU in DC Alumni Chapter BBQ & Picnic July 18th CHLI Young Leaders Conference July 22nd Social Media Branding Workshop Event July 26th West Wing Tour July 29th Globalization in Practice Panel Event August 8th Jazz in the Sculpture Gardens

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Signature Events June 3rd, 2014: FIUinDC kicked off its fourth “Welcome Orientation” event, where over 45 of FIU's brightest minds interning in federal agencies, private firms, non-profit organizations, and national organizations across the Washington, D.C. area gathered for an

insightful orientation that welcomed them to our nation’s capital. The event was a success, as it exposed students to life in the city, provided career development advice from professionals in the field— such as how to properly network, deliver “elevator pitches,” and how to find and build a mutually beneficial mentor relationship. June 24th, 2014: President Rosenberg joined 5 FIU students and 2 alumni at the Organization of American States (OAS) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding

between the OAS and FIU with commitments for 10 graduate scholarships. FIU becomes the 41st school to sign an educational agreement with the OAS. Secretary General José Miguel Insulza emphasized FIU’s unique capacities and proximity to Latin America as a key reason for this partnership. Joining the FIU team was Frank Mora, Director of the Latin American and Caribbean Center, and Steve Sauls, Vice President of Governmental Relations. Later that evening, President Rosenberg had his annual “Intern Meet and Greet” event at Mentora College—one of FIU's global partners—with over 30 FIU student interns. President Rosenberg hosted an interactive discussion with the students, engaging them on FIU’s federal priorities, the student’s current experience in D.C., and the university's future plans in our nation’s capital.

July 17th, 2014: The FIU in DC Alumni Chapter hosted its annual Summer BBQ & Picnic. Over 65 alumni and current student interns were joined together for an incredible afternoon of food, family, and fútbol. Coordinated by co-chairs Anthony Palacios and Gabe Villanueva, this event was an incredible success and a great opportunity for FIU’s strong D.C. alumni base to meet and engage with our current student interns.

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FIUinDC Events June 9th, 2014: FIUinDC hosted its "Life on the Hill" event, where professionals with extensive experience working on the Hill shared their insights and provided valuable tokens of advice to 15 of our FIU student interns. The guest speakers featured included: Amy Smith, Director of Aviation Policy Integration for the Boeing Company (a major STEM recruiter); Jose Dante Parra, CEO of ProsperoLatino, a strategic consulting firm focused on corporate, political and non-profit clients seeking to effectively connect with American

Latinos; and FIU alumnus David Metellus, who works for the Senate Small Business Committee. June 25th, 2014: The Disaster Resiliency Forum at the National Building Museum, hosted by FIU, Senator Bill Nelson and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, presented examples of innovation in design and policy that are providing greater resilience to our communities. In addition to highlighting FIU’s advancements in storm surge modeling, featured speaker National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Kathryn Sullivan discussed the importance of disaster resiliency, the dangers of storm surges, and the possibilities

that green infrastructure brings. Extreme events research is a top federal priority for FIU. Sponsored by the BuildStrong Coalition, College of Engineering, and Facchina Construction, the forum also drew out Congressman Joe Garcia, Congresswoman Illeana Ros-Lehtinen, FIU Professor Richard Olson and representatives and alumni of the Federal Emergency Management Agenc (FEMA), the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Congressional offices. Moderating was FIU alumnus William A. Ramos from the U.S. Department of Commerce. July 7-18th, 2014: FIUinDC coordinated visits to over 10 our student's internship sites to engage with them on their work experiences, and meet with supervisors to establish more formal direct arrangements for future student interns. July 22nd, 2014: FIUinDC hosted its “Social Media/Branding Workshop” event, discussing how to leverage these platforms for career development opportunities. FIU alumna and faculty member Larissa Ramos discussed the general intricacies of business writing as a component of self-branding. She helped the students learn the importance of clarity, conciseness, precision, and professionalism in business and professional communication, as essential aspects of self-branding. FIU alumnus Jeff Zelaya, 2011 Worlds Ahead graduate and LinkedIn's most recommended member under 30, discussed how to use LinkedIn and other social platforms for career development opportunities. As one of LinkedIn’s most recommended speakers and a leading public speaker on the topics of

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social media branding, Jeff taught the students how to leverage LinkedIn for professional success. July 26th, 2014: FIUinDC students had the unique opportunity to tour the West Wing of the White House. These coveted tours were led by FIU alumnus Darren Martin, who is a knowledgeable and dedicated member of the White House staff. He took students into the working areas of the White House and allowed them to witness our democracy in action. July 29th, 2014: FIUinDC hosted its "Globalization in Practice" event, bringing over 30 FIU students and alumni, students from the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), and guests panelists such as Former Pat Contreras, Foreign Service Officer; Gonul Tol, FIU alumna and Director of Turkish Studies at the Middle East Institute; and Frederic Lafleur Parfaite, FIU alumnus and Communications Specialist at The World Bank. Panelists and guests discussed how globalization impacts practice and policy in today’s world. Dr. John Stack, Director of the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and Mel Maguire, Senior Executive Director of Management Development at the College of Business, joined and helped to spark a meaningful and lively discussion on the intricacies of this phenomenon. Partner Organization Events June 11-12th, 2014: The Cuban American National Council's (CNC) facilitated the opportunity for 25 of our FIU student interns to attend its 17th Biennial National Conference, themed “Latinos and the Americas: Engagement and Opportunity.” The conference explored the current state of immigration reform, global medical tourism, U.S. policy and trade with the Americas, and the role and impact of women leaders. June 17th, 2014: Our Federal Relations team hosted the "Global Water for Sustainability Program (GLOWS) - Lessons from the Leading-edge: A Decade of Freshwater and Development Partnerships" event. This event marked the conclusion of a significant USAID program whose activities have spanned the globe, led by FIU. This program and its partnership with USAID has contributed to reaching objectives in biodiversity conservation, climate change, food security, water resources management, sustainable fisheries, livelihoods, and capacity development, as well as Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services. Bringing together some of the nation’s leading experts in water management and international development, this exciting event showcased FIU’s experiences and lessons learned.

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June 18th, 2014: FIUinDC interns attended the 2014 Congressional Women's Softball Game, where a bi-partisan group of congresswoman took the field against the women of the DC Press Corps to benefit the Young Survival Coalition, the premier global organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. July 9th, 2014: FIUinDC interns attended the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute’s (CHLI) Congressional Briefing on “Net Neutrality vs. The Open Internet.” The event brought technology and policy experts to talk about the complex issue of net neutrality and the future of Internet governance, and what is at stake for the Hispanic Community.

Other Efforts June 12th, 2014: Our Federal Relations team attended the Inter-American Dialogue's "A Conversation with President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solís" event, where former FIU faculty member, now President, spoke on an array of issues ranging from honesty in government to Central American integration and the fight against drug trafficking. Accompanying Solís to the Inter-American Dialogue panel were several members of his Cabinet, including Foreign Minister Manuel González and Foreign Trade Minister Alex Mora, as well as Muni Figueres, Costa Rica’s ambassador to the United States, and Gonzalo

Gallegos, chargé d’affaires, a.i. at the U.S. Embassy in San José. June 17th, 2014: FIUinDC student intern Nicolas Wulff, a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and a Dreamer, got the unique opportunity to be a special guest to the "White House Champions of Change" event. As part of the program, the White House featured a group of Americans—individuals, businesses and organizations—who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities. They also participated in a discussion to learn more about the DACA recipients and their accomplishments.

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Over 18 valuable matches!

June 24th, 2014: Our Federal Relations team facilitated the opportunity for our FIU student interns and current members of the FIU Student Government Association (SGA) (Tiffany Roman-Biffa, VP; Jonathan Riveras - Lobbying Coordinator; and P.J. Campbell,) to meet with members of the South Florida Congressional Delegation and briefly discuss issues regarding financial aid and the SGA's agenda for this upcoming year. Further, over 20 YALI students, joined by SGA President Alexis Calatayud, met with Congressman Joe Garcia for a night tour of the U.S. Capitol. With only themselves and the Congressman, they got an intimate look at the inside of one of the most historic buildings in our nation’s capital.

Mentorships We firmly believe that mentorships are important for the transmission of knowledge, social capital, and the psychosocial support perceived by our student interns as relevant to their work, career and professional development. We successfully coordinated over 18

meaningful mentorships from a volunteer cohort of over 40 mentors who were recruited from the vast network of over 2,500 FIU alumni in the D.C. area. These individuals range professionally from federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Commerce, Federal Drug Administration, and the Executive Office of the President; international organizations such as Pan American Health Organization, International Republican Institute and the LIBRE Initiative; corporations such as The Boeing Company, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and NBC Universal; think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation; and broadcast television networks such as Telemundo. “For everyone who thinks they’re a trailblazer, there’s someone who has already blazed that trail. For me, that

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A few words from our stars!

trailblazer was Darren Martin,” says FIU Federal Relations Intern P.J. Campbell. “I’ve always wanted to work at the White House. The opportunity to pair up with Darren, who works for the Office of Presidential Correspondence, was an incredible opportunity.” FIU alumnus Darren Martin graduated from the School of International and Public Affairs in 2012 with a bachelor’s in Political Science and Government. “Sharing a similar academic background and a love for public service, he was the perfect mentor match. I gained first-hand experience of what it takes to both professionally and personally work with high-level officials in the Executive Office. He provided me with a blueprint on how to make my dream a reality, and for that I will be forever grateful.” Mr. Campbell was an integral part of this summer’s efforts to advance FIU’s presence in our nation’s capital. He helped coordinate our GLOWS event and our Disaster Resiliency Forum at the National Building Museum. He has also been key in helping to advance FIU’ federal priorities before Congress throughout the summer.

Testimonials "I am so thankful FIU has an program like this. The entire FIU staff and alumni base has been great at extending their support to us interns. They’ve shared much wisdom and insight, which gives us the opportunity to minimize errors and guarantee success." – Bianca Ordoñez (Interning at Community Red) "Seeing so many students and alumni partake in these event speaks volumes about FIU’s continuously expanding presence in the D.C. area." – P.J. Campbell (Interning at FIU Federal Relations) “Whether you’re looking for a position in government or not, I strongly recommend you find an internship opportunity and join the FIUinDC program. This experience has helped open many doors for me and all it takes is for you to be here.” – Jonathan Riveras (Interning with Senator Marco Rubio) “This has been my second time around in the FIUinDC program and it has been an absolute asset to my professional development as a future public diplomacy officer in the U.S. Foreign Service. Having the opportunity to meet so many new people, and the ability to spread our FIU mantra in D.C. has been rewarding. I encourage every student to come out to DC and join our program.” – Susan Tapia (Interning with Congressman Eni Faleomavaega) “Working in D.C. has helped me develop my professional life, as well as my civic engagement, which has always been an important aspect of my life. I encourage all Panthers to be part of the FIUinDC Program.” – Javier Zapata (Interning with Washington Parks & People)

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“This has experience has been very rewarding. The connections I’ve made and the people I’ve met will help me develop my career prospects. I’ve learned so much and I encourage everyone to experience it for themselves. You will surely grow.” – Daniel Stolz (Interning at the National Jewish Democratic Council) “I recommend this experience to anyone who is interested in international affairs and politics. I really believe that if you’re brave enough to step out of your bounds, move to Washington, and spend three months, you’ll get a lot out of it.” – Christina LaRocca (Interning at the Embassy of Ecuador) “D.C. has been a great experience and an incredible advantage for networking opportunities. One person could lead to a potential career, so I definitely encourage for everyone to jump in the DC pool with us.” – Devian Wilcox (Interning at Marsh and McLennan Companies)

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2010-2015

Additional Highlights

Over 180 students have participated in the last 5 years Washington Center: Thanks to a special allocation by the Florida Legislature, this is the

second year that over 20 FIU students are provided scholarships to participate in an internship + receive credit for evening educational programs

Governmental Relations: Has hired over 35 students in 12 years to work in the Federal Relations Office

DOE Fellows: Funded by the Department of Energy, one of our most successful models, students are provided stipends throughout the year to work in labs at our Applied Research Center and in the summer at DOE labs throughout the US and DC

Presidential Appointment Opportunity: Late this Spring, FIU was selected to nominate fast-track candidates for presidential appointments; Pamela Pamelá, who graduated from our Master of Arts in Global Governance program, will begin with the Department of Defense later this Fall

State Department Selective Rangel and Pickering Fellows: FIU has become one of the most successful at placing finalists for these prestigious fellows. Since 2008, 5 Rangel Fellows and 3 Pickerings have been placed

Visit by Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta: Spoke to our summer commencement on August 4th

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We couldn’t have done it without you! Special Thanks This summer’s program would not have been possible without the incredible support of various individuals and organizations. We want to give them immense gratitude for their invaluable help and support: Florida International University

o Office of Governmental Relations o School of International and Public Affairs o Office of Engagement o Career Services o Student Affairs o Campus Life o Alumni Relations o Student Government Association

The FIU in DC Alumni Chapter The Washington Center Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Cuban American National Council Inc. (CNC) Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Members of the South Florida Congressional Delegation Mentora College