FIU Alumni

Big accomplishments often have much smaller beginnings. 🔬💙

Daniel Chaparro ’18, PhD ’25 began conducting research as an undergraduate at FIU. Years later, he was named the Florida Heart Research Foundation’s 2026 Stop Heart Disease Early Career Researcher of the Year for his work in cardiovascular research.

For National Higher Education Month, we’re celebrating the Panther accomplishments that began right here at FIU.

Read Daniel’s story: https://bit.ly/4djXbFE

FIU Homecoming Week returns November 2-7, 2026, and registration is now open.

For many Panthers, FIU is where friendships began, careers started to take shape, and a lifelong connection to the 305 took root.

This November, come home to the campus that holds so many of those memories and experience the FIU of today.

This year’s alumni events include:

🔥 Trail of the Torch at the Uncaging | November 5
🏆 FIU Alumni 5 Under 35 Awards | November 6
🐾 Roar Lounge | November 7
🏈 FIU Football vs. Missouri State | November 7 at Pitbull Stadium

Tag fellow alumni you want to see at Homecoming and make your plans today.

Register at https://bit.ly/46JV0aE

Go Panthers!

FIU alumnus Tom Pupo ’13 is helping Miami’s next generation of innovators turn curiosity into something they can design, test, and improve.

As co-founder and executive director of Moonlighter FabLab, Tom leads a nonprofit STEAM learning center and community fabrication lab that has impacted more than 15,000 students, reached more than 35 schools, and connected with more than 35,000 families.

Rooted in his FIU experience and master’s research in architecture, Tom’s work carries Panther creativity into the community. Read his story here: https://bit.ly/3VQiEQo

Panthers, what did FIU help you discover about yourself? Drop them in the comments below!

For the third straight year, FIU ranks among the nation's top 50 public universities (No. 46) in U.S. News & World Report. And we're No. 1 in the country for economic and social mobility.

Next stop: top 30 by 2030. 🐾 https://news.fiu.edu/2026/fiu-ranks-among-top-50-public-universities-in-u.s-news-world-report-for-third-year-ranks-no-1-for-economic-and-social-mobility

From FIU to the world stage, Jean Caze MM ’07 has built a career defined by artistry, purpose, and a distinctive sound.

An accomplished composer and multi-instrumentalist, Caze blends Haitian rhythms with jazz improvisation, bringing audiences into a sound that is soulful, welcoming, and deeply personal.

At FIU, he sharpened his craft, found mentorship, and built the foundation for the career ahead. Today, he continues that legacy as an educator and mentor to the next generation. Read more about this Panther making music on the global stage here: https://bit.ly/4dqZpCZ

From the Panthers who first walked FIU’s halls to the students starting a new semester today, generations have watched this university grow. We’ve always known FIU was going places. 💙

Now, Washington Monthly ranks FIU No. 1 in Florida and No. 8 among public universities nationwide, while Niche places FIU among the country’s top 30 public universities at No. 27.

Panthers have been part of FIU’s rise from the very beginning, and we’re still climbing.

FIU has once again been recognized among the nation's top 10 public universities by Washington Monthly in its annual College Guide and Rankings, ranking No. 8 among public universities nationally, No. 18 overall, first in the state, and No. 2 in the Southeast, with additional recognition in the Best Colleges for Research category.

Read more: https://news.fiu.edu/2026/fiu-earns-top-spots-in-national-rankings-according-to-washington-monthly-niche

Florida International University has ranked No. 23 among public universities nationwide in TIME's inaugural America's Best Colleges 2026-2027 ranking.

The ranking places significant weight on student outcomes, including graduate earnings, graduation rates and return on education. This recognition adds to a growing list of national rankings highlighting FIU for student success and social mobility.

Read more: https://news.fiu.edu/2026/fiu-ranks-among-top-25-public-universities-in-times-americas-best-colleges?utm_campaign=ongoing_social&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic_social