And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been. -Rainer Maria Rilke

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERS I TY

JANUARY 2019

PANTHERS ENGAGED

DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT Page 2

IN THIS ISSUE

MAXIMIZE YOUR COLLEGE

SUCCESS Page 4

HOW TO BECOME A

PEER MENTOR Page 5

IMPORTANT DATES Page 3

PAGE 2

DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and

the Victim Empowerment Program (VEP) provide free

and confidential mental health and crisis intervention

counseling to all FIU students. Group therapy is the

most common option for students, although we also

offer individual, couples and online therapy focusing

on all kinds of mental health issues. The Victim Em-

powerment Program is a specialized unit consisting

of advocate counselors that assist students who

have been victims of all crimes, primarily sexual as-

sault, dating/domestic violence and stalking. The

counselors can provide advocacy and accompani-

ment upon the request of the client. They can help

students with things such as dropping a class, registration conflicts, filing a student conduct complain as well

as going to court, visiting the Rape Treatment Center and providing other available options.

The Counseling Center also offers several options for online self-help for our student population. Our most

popular one is the Therapy Assistance Online (TAO), which is an online platform of tools and educational

materials to help you learn, and change how you think and feel. Along with the educational component,

there is an option to meet every week online with your therapist in a brief video conference. Kognito is one

of our newer, most innovative offerings. It is an online simulation software that helps you prepare for having

difficult conversations. You can give it a try at fiu.kognito.com. Check out our Online Self-Help portal to find

other useful resources such as screenings, quizzes and podcasts.

The center also offers a software called Heartmath that can help reduce your stress and anxiety with easy

guided breathing exercises. Visit our office today in the Student Health Center room 270, and try it for free

without making an appointment! CAPS also has the Body Acceptance Program (BAP), which assists students

struggling with body image and/or eating concerns. In this program, students can also receive help from not

only our mental health professional, but also from a registered dietician and a medical doctor that are also

located in the Student Health Center.

If you are someone that is passionate about Mental Health, then you might have an interest in the Peer Edu-

cation Program and our Kiwi the Alien Campaign! College can make you feel like an alien, and we can help

you adjust to the Panther Galaxy! The Peer Education Program consists of a group of students that are part of

an on-going effort to raise awareness and reduce the mental health stigma around the FIU community by

educating others on Mental Health and Victimization. If this is something you think you might have an interest

in, go visit our website at vep.fiu.edu for more information!

PAGE 3

IMPORTANT DATES FOR SPRING 2019

F I R S T D A Y O F C L A S S

1.7.19

L A S T D A Y T O A D D / D R O P 1.14.19

M A R T I N L U T H E R K I N G H O L I D A Y

1.21.19

S P R I N G B R E A K

3.11.19 — 3.16.19

L A S T D A Y T O D R O P W I T H A D R G R A D E

3.18.19

F I N A L W E E K O F S E M E S T E R

4.22.19 — 4.27.19

G R A D E S P O S T E D

5.2.19

Maximize Your College Success The Center for Student Engagement offers Academic Planning and Preparation (APP)

Workshops and Exploratory Panels that help you learn about college success. These

events are open to all students, are free, and do not require advanced registration!

PAGE 4

PAGE 5

The Peer Mentor Program The Peer Mentor program is for students who want to be FIU student leaders

by assisting SLS instructors throughout the length of the course. Peer Mentors

guide fellow peers throughout their first semester of college and are a great

resource for students in and outside of the classroom. Peer Mentors have the

opportunity to lead group activities and discussions during the SLS course

and establish special bonds with the students and instructor.

Requirements:

• Current undergraduate student

• Complete one year or more at FIU

• 2.5 GPA or above

How to Apply:

• Panther Connect

• Recommendation Form (completed by

an FIU faculty/staff member)

• Interviews will be scheduled via e-mail

Applications will open February 20, 2019

Vi s i t go. f iu .edu/peermentor fo r more informat ion and

emai l peermentor@f iu .edu wi th any quest ions .