The Division of Student Affairs is engaged in a formal partnership with the College of Education to offer the Master of Science in Higher Education Administration program. The Master of Science in Higher Education Administration prepares graduates to serve in roles at colleges and universities and related institutions.  The partnership provides students in the program the opportunity to work in a variety of offices in the Division, gaining practical experience through assistantships and supervised practica.  Senior staff members in the Division of Student Affairs also support the program through efforts in recruiting and advising students, and teaching courses each semester. 

The Division of Student Affairs Staff Development committee is committed to providing professional growth and learning opportunities to its entire staff, including our graduate students.  In an effort to prepare current graduate students for their job and internship searches, the committee teamed up with the Higher Education Master’s program at Nova Southeastern University to host the Annual Panther Placement Exchange.  The Panther Placement Exchange was a one-day workshop, during which graduate students from FIU and Nova participated in mock interviews. The interview teams consisted of staff and administrators from the Division of Student Affairs at FIU and at Nova.   Participants interviewed in close proximity to each other in an effort to increase their comfort level with interviewing in an environment similar to many national placement conferences.  The students attended a resume and cover letter workshop presented by Shawna McNair, Assistant Director of Career Services at FIU.  The students also had a presentation on conference preparation and etiquette, presented by Liz De La Rosa, Residence Life Coordinator at FIU and Alison Foster, Assistant Director of Campus Life at FIU.  Finally, the students ended the day with a panel discussion focusing on issues of job searching, conference etiquette, negotiating salary, on-campus interviews and other topics raised by students. 

Future plans include inviting graduate students from other area schools to participate.  Thank you to all who volunteered their time and expertise to assist our students.