Florida International University facts for kids
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| Motto | Spes Scientia Facultas (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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"Hope, Knowledge, Opportunity" |
| Type | Public research university |
| Established | 1965 |
| Founder | Florida Legislature |
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Parent institution
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State University System of Florida |
| Accreditation | SACS |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $276 million (2022) |
| Budget | $1.7 billion (2021) |
| President | Kenneth A. Jessell |
| Provost | Elizabeth M. Bejar |
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Academic staff
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7,665 (2021) |
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Administrative staff
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9,856 (2017) |
| Students | 55,687 (fall 2022) |
| Undergraduates | 45,442 (fall 2022) |
| Postgraduates | 10,244 (fall 2022) |
| Location |
University Park, Florida
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United States
25°45′25″N 80°22′26″W / 25.757°N 80.374°W |
| Campus | Large Suburb, 587.1 acres (237.6 ha) |
| Other campus and centers | Other Campus North Miami (Biscayne Bay Campus) Centers
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| Newspaper | PantherNOW |
| Colors | Blue and gold |
| Nickname | Panthers |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | Roary The Panther |
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Florida International University (FIU) is a big public university in University Park, Florida. It was started in 1965 by the Florida Legislature and welcomed its first students in 1972. FIU is now the third-largest university in Florida. It is also the eighth-largest public university in the United States by the number of students.
FIU is known for its high level of research. It has 11 main colleges and over 40 centers and labs. These offer more than 200 different study programs. The university is officially recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
FIU's sports teams are called the FIU Panthers. They play in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and are part of the Conference USA (C-USA). The Panthers have won many championships. Kenneth A. Jessell became the president of FIU in 2022.
Contents
History of FIU
The idea for a public university in Miami-Dade County began in 1943. State senator Ernest 'Cap' Graham first suggested it. He believed a state university was needed for the growing population.
In 1964, a bill was passed to plan for the new university. Governor W. Haydon Burns signed it into law in June 1965.
FIU's first president, Charles "Chuck" Perry, was chosen in 1969. He was only 32 years old, making him the youngest university president in the country at that time. The campus was built on the site of an old airport. The airport's control tower became FIU's first building. President Perry decided the tower should stay, and it's still on campus today.
FIU Opens Its Doors
In September 1972, FIU opened with 5,667 students. This was the largest opening day enrollment for a new university back then. Most students were older, around 25, and worked full-time while studying. For the first nine years, FIU only offered classes for junior and senior students.
The first graduation ceremony was held in June 1973. About 191 students received their diplomas.
President Perry left in 1975. By then, FIU had over 10,000 students and five main buildings.
New Leaders and Growth
Harold B. Crosby became the second president in 1976. During his time, the North Miami Campus opened in 1977. This campus is now known as the Biscayne Bay Campus. President Crosby focused on making FIU more international.
Gregory Baker Wolfe became the third president in 1979. Under his leadership, FIU became a four-year university, offering classes for all college levels.
Major Expansion Under President Maidique
Modesto A. Maidique became FIU's fourth president in 1986. He was the first Hispanic leader of a state university in Florida. During his 23 years, FIU grew a lot. The campus tripled in size, and student numbers reached almost 40,000.
Under President Maidique, new colleges were started, like the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and the FIU College of Law. Research at FIU also grew significantly. The university became known for important research in areas like hurricane safety and health.
FIU also added the Wolfsonian-FIU Museum in Miami Beach and built the Frost Art Museum. The university's sports programs also expanded, including starting an NCAA football team. FIU also joined Phi Beta Kappa, a very old and respected academic honor society.
Recent Presidents and Events
Mark B. Rosenberg became FIU's fifth president in 2009. During his time, over $600 million was spent on new buildings. This included new dorms, the FIU Stadium, and a recreation center. The university also continued to focus on research.
In March 2018, a pedestrian bridge being built near the university collapsed. This was a very sad event. Plans were later made to design and rebuild the bridge.
President Rosenberg resigned in 2022. He was followed by Kenneth A. Jessell. Jessell was chosen as FIU's sixth president in October 2022.
FIU Campuses
FIU has two main campuses and several smaller centers.
Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC)
The main campus is called the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, or MMC. It covers 344 acres in University Park. Most of FIU's colleges, offices, and main facilities are here. This includes the president's home, the Wertheim Performing Arts Center, the Frost Art Museum, and sports facilities like FIU Stadium.
The MMC campus used to be an airport. You can still see the old airport control tower, which is now a university building. The campus has many lakes, a nature preserve, and a palm tree garden.
Engineering Center
A smaller campus, the Engineering Center, is located five blocks north of the MMC. It houses part of the College of Engineering and Computing. A special shuttle bus connects this center to the main campus.
Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC)
The Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC) is in North Miami. It's a 200-acre campus right on the water. It opened in 1977. This campus is home to the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and the School of Journalism. It also has a marine biology program because of its location by the bay.
Students can live in apartments at the BBC. A special shuttle bus, the Golden Panther Express, connects the BBC to the main campus.
Other Locations
FIU also has smaller centers in South Florida. These include:
- FIU at I-75: A satellite campus in Miramar, offering courses for students in Broward County.
- Downtown Miami Center: Located on Brickell Avenue in Downtown Miami. It offers mostly graduate-level courses for working professionals.
- Global Forensic and Justice Center: Located in Largo, Florida, focusing on forensic science and criminal justice.
How FIU Works
FIU is part of the 12-campus State University System of Florida. It's a major research university. FIU offers 191 different study programs with over 280 main subjects. Most teachers at FIU have the highest degrees in their fields.
Student Government
The Student Government Association (SGA) helps run student life at FIU. It manages over 300 student clubs and organizations. The SGA has three parts:
- Executive branch: Led by the Student Body President and Vice President.
- Legislative branch: Made up of the Student Body Senate.
- Judicial branch: The Supreme Court.
The Student Government also oversees groups that plan events and support different student communities.
FIU Presidents
| President | Years Served |
|---|---|
| Charles Perry | 1965–1976 |
| Harold B. Crosby | 1976–1979 |
| Gregory Baker Wolfe | 1979–1986 |
| Modesto A. Maidique | 1986–2009 |
| Mark B. Rosenberg | 2009–2022 |
| Kenneth A. Jessell | 2022– |
Colleges and Schools
FIU has many different colleges and schools where students can study:
- College of Architecture and the Arts
- College of Arts, Sciences and Education
- College of Business
- College of Engineering and Computing
- College of Law
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
- Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work
- Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs
- Honors College
Academics and Learning
FIU offers many different types of degrees. These include bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university focuses on making its academic programs better and better.
Student Admissions
FIU welcomes students from over 130 countries and all 50 U.S. states. In Fall 2021, over 56,000 students were enrolled. About 57% of students are women.
Getting into some programs at FIU can be very competitive. For example, the Wertheim College of Medicine accepts only a small percentage of its many applicants. The FIU School of Architecture also has a very low admission rate.
University Rankings
| ARWU World | 501–600 |
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| THES World | 401–500 |
| USNWR National University | 151 |
| Washington Monthly National University | 19 |
| Forbes | 120 |
FIU is highly ranked by many organizations. The Wall Street Journal ranked FIU as the #4 best public university in 2024. It was also ranked #29 overall among all universities.
U.S. News & World Report ranked FIU as the 72nd best public university in the U.S. for 2023. It was also named the 34th most innovative university in 2022. This means FIU is making great improvements in its classes, campus life, and technology.
FIU is also recognized for helping students from all backgrounds succeed. In 2023, it was ranked the 4th best university for Social Mobility. This means it helps many students who receive financial aid to graduate.
In 2000, FIU became one of the youngest universities to get a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. This is a very old and respected academic honor society.
College of Business
The College of Business is well-known. U.S. News & World Report often ranks its international business program among the top in the nation.
College of Law
The College of Law has been steadily improving its rankings. It is known for its high bar exam passage rates. This means many of its graduates pass the exam needed to become a lawyer.
Honors College
FIU has a special Honors College for students who excel academically. It offers extra support, special housing, and opportunities for research and study abroad. Students in the Honors College can also get early acceptance into some professional and graduate schools.
Admission to the Honors College is selective. Students often have high GPAs and test scores. Honors students can live in Parkview Hall, a special dorm for them.
International Programs
FIU has many programs that connect students to the world. Its Education Abroad program sends over 1,000 students to study in other countries each year. FIU has agreements with over 70 partner universities around the globe.
FIU also has a presence in Italy, with facilities for art and architecture students. In 2006, FIU opened the Florida International University Tianjin Center in China. This center operates a branch of the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.
Model United Nations Program
The FIU Model United Nations Program is very successful. It was ranked the best Model UN Team in North America for the 2018–2019 season. FIU MUN also hosts an annual conference for high school students.
FIU Libraries
FIU has six libraries. The Green Library is the main library and the largest building on campus. It has eight floors with many study areas and resources. The libraries together hold over 2 million books and many other materials.
Other libraries include:
- The Glenn Hubert Library at the Biscayne Bay Campus.
- The Wolfsonian Library, which focuses on art, design, and history.
- The Engineering Library.
- The Law Library.
- The Medical Library.
Research at FIU
FIU is a top-tier research university. It spends hundreds of millions of dollars on research each year. It is known for its "very high research activity."
International Hurricane Research Center
The International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) is a special research facility at FIU. It is the only university-based center in the U.S. dedicated to studying tropical storms. It has a "Wall of Wind" (WoW) with 12 huge fans. This facility can create winds like a Category 5 hurricane. This helps scientists study how to build stronger structures and keep people safe.
Student Life and Fun
Traditions at FIU
FIU has many fun traditions for students. New students can go to Panther Camp to learn about the university. The Week of Welcome, held at the start of the fall semester, has many spirit events. One event is the Trail of the Torch, where a special torch is lit on campus.
The School of Architecture also holds a unique "Walk on Water" race each year. Students build creative devices to try and walk across a lake.
Where Students Live
FIU offers housing for about 3,300 students. There are 10 apartment buildings and 6 residence halls. All rooms are either suite-style or apartment-style, meaning students have their own bathrooms.
Students can also choose to live in "Living Learning Communities." In these communities, students with the same major or interests live together. This helps them connect and learn from each other.
Arts and Culture
FIU has three museums: the Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU Museum, and the Jewish Museum of Florida. The Frost Art Museum on the main campus has a wide collection of art. The Wolfsonian-FIU Museum in Miami Beach focuses on art and design from 1885 to 1945.
The university also has a large collection of sculptures around campus. The School of Music and the Theatre Department offer many concerts and plays for students and the public.
The Florida International University School of Hospitality & Tourism Management helps host the yearly Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival. This is a big food and wine event in South Beach.
Greek Life
FIU has many fraternities and sororities, which are social organizations for students. About 2% of undergraduate students are members. These groups are divided into different councils based on their history and focus. There are also many academic honor societies and service groups.
Getting Around Campus
The main campus is located near Florida's Turnpike. Public buses also serve both the main campus and the Biscayne Bay Campus.
FIU also runs its own bus lines for students. The CATS Shuttle connects the main campus to the Engineering Center. The Golden Panther Express connects the main campus to the Biscayne Bay Campus.
Student Media
FIU students run their own media. PantherNOW is the student newspaper, which is printed monthly and has a website. WRGP "The Roar" is FIU's student-run radio station.
FIU in TV and Movies
FIU's campus has been used as a filming location for many TV shows, movies, and music videos.
- The TV show Miami Vice filmed an episode at the Sunblazer Arena in 1986.
- Burn Notice filmed scenes at the College of Business and Law buildings.
- Chris Brown filmed his music video "Kiss Kiss" at FIU in 2007.
- Telenovelas for Telemundo and Univision have also filmed on campus.
- In 2015, Florida International University hosted the Miss Universe 2014 pageant at the FIU Arena.
Sports at FIU
FIU has seventeen varsity sports teams, known as the Panthers. Their colors are blue and gold. They compete in NCAA Division I as part of Conference USA.
The Panthers play their home football games at Riccardo Silva Stadium, also called "The Cage." Basketball and volleyball teams play at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The baseball team plays at Infinity Insurance Park.
FIU's main sports rivals are Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami. The football team plays against Florida Atlantic University each year in the Shula Bowl.
The Panthers football team won a conference title in 2010. They also played in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl that year and won.
Many FIU athletes have gone on to become professional or Olympic athletes. Famous alumni include baseball player Mike Lowell and basketball players Raja Bell and Carlos Arroyo.
Famous Alumni
FIU has over 275,000 alumni (former students) all around the world. Each year, more than 10,000 students graduate from FIU. The Florida International University Alumni Association helps connect these graduates.
Many FIU alumni have become famous in different fields:
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Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
U.S. Representative -
Andy García
Actor -
Jeanette Nuñez
Lieutenant Governor of Florida -
Dennis Lehane
Novelist & Screenwriter -
Carlos Arroyo
NBA basketball player -
Manny Diaz
Former Mayor of Miami -
Evelyn Sanguinetti
Former Lieutenant Governor of Illinois -
Aimee Carrero
Actress -
Barbara Lagoa
United States Circuit Judge -
Carlos Alvarado-Larroucau
Writer & Poet -
Danny Danon
Former Israeli Ambassador to the UN -
Kim Simplis Barrow
Belizean activist and former First Lady -
Elsa Murano
Former President of Texas A&M University -
Kirill Reznik
Maryland House of Delegates -
Cecilia Altonaga
U.S. District Court Judge -
Mike Lowell
MLB Baseball player -
Raja Bell
NBA Basketball player -
Carlos Álvarez
Former Mayor of Miami-Dade County -
Andrea Nagy
WNBA Basketball player -
Ian Richards
County Court Judge -
Elizabeth Pérez
Emmy-winning journalist -
Francis Suarez
Current Mayor of Miami -
Richard Blanco
Inaugural Poet and Author -
T. Y. Hilton
NFL football player -
Bertha Vazquez
Science teacher and director -
Carl Weems
American Psychologist
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See also
In Spanish: Universidad Internacional de Florida para niños
