Overview
The Interdisciplinary Engineering Industry Advisory Council partners with FIU’s Engineering and Computing Education, Systems and Management (ESM) Department to help prepare students for success in today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape. The council brings together leaders from industry, government, nonprofit organizations, and academia to provide strategic guidance to strengthen the Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDE) program and enhance student outcomes.
Mission
The Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDE) program develops innovative engineering leaders who apply systems thinking, collaborate across disciplines, and create human-centered solutions to complex local, national, and global challenges.
Through a flexible and personalized curriculum, students can align their studies with their interests while building the technical, leadership, business, and interdisciplinary skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing workforce.
Council Impact
The Industry Advisory Council supports the continued growth and excellence of the IDE program by:
- Providing industry perspectives as advice to the Interdisciplinary Engineering program to ensure that students are prepared for career success.
- Connecting the program with leaders across industry, government, nonprofit organizations, and academia to ensure alignment with emerging workforce needs and opportunities.
- Identifying opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Championing initiatives that advance the visibility, impact, and long-term success of the Interdisciplinary Engineering program.
- Collaborating with the program to provide opportunities for students to interact with industrial and professional partners (e.g. by giving presentations, serving as external reviewers for project presentations, sharing internship and job opportunities, etc.).
- Promoting outreach and philanthropy to enhance the ESM Department mission, supporting the highest quality educational facilities and resources to benefit the students, the community, and industry.
By fostering strong partnerships between academia and industry, the council helps ensure that IDE graduates are equipped with the knowledge, adaptability, and leadership skills needed to address the challenges of tomorrow.
| Name | Company |
|---|
| Elise Barrella | DforX Consulting |
| Estefani Arroyo | Microsoft |
| Jaquan Starling | MITRE |
| Jason Kowalczyk | State Farm |
| Naimah St Lawrence | L3Harris Technology |
| Scottie-Beth Fleming | Sandia National Labs |
Overview
The Industry Advisory Council (IAC) for the Master of Science programs in Engineering Management and Logistics Engineering brings together leaders from industry, government, nonprofit organizations, and academia. The IAC partners with FIU’s Engineering and Computing Education, Systems and Management (ESM) Department to provide leadership and strategic guidance for the M.S. in Engineering Management (MSEM) and M.S. in Logistics Engineering (MSLE) programs.
The council helps enhance the professional experience and industry knowledge of graduating students, with the goal of supporting student success in today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape.
Purpose and Objectives
The IAC supports the continued growth and excellence of the MSEM and MSLE programs by:
- Advising and supporting the MSEM and MSLE programs as they evolve to advance student career success.
- Connecting the programs with leaders across industry, government, nonprofit organizations and academia to help align curriculum and opportunities with emerging workforce needs.
- Identifying opportunities for innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Championing initiatives that enhance the visibility, impact, and long-term success of the MSEM and MSLE programs.
- Delivering presentations and sharing professional insights with MSEM and MSLE students.
- Sharing internship and employment opportunities with students and faculty.
- Promoting outreach, engagement and philanthropic initiatives that advance the ESM Department’s mission and support high-quality educational facilities, resources, and opportunities that benefit students, industry and the broader community.
| Name | Company | Position |
|---|
| Basil Khalil | FedEx | Vice President of Operations |
| Chelsie Tavares | Cargill | Global Trade Operations & Compliance Director |
| Cristina E. Plescow | Jackson Health System | Director of Quality |
| Delhy Arias | BioTissue | Reg Affairs Manager |
| Gary Goldfarb | Chair / Interport Logistics | Chief Strategy Officer |
| Guillermo Vulcano | Cooper General Services | Vice President of Business Operations |
| Javier Munoz | PriceSmart | Director - US Customs & Trade Compliance |
| Jason Tenenbaum | Prologis | SVP, Market Officer |
| Juan Velez | Ingram Micro | Director, Operations |
| Kemi Arosanyin | World Trade Center Miami | International Trade Development Specialist & Director |
| Khalil Farha | Meta | Program Manager |
| Lucas Vaquero | DHL Supply Chain | Vice President, Solutions Design Latin America |
| Luis Olivares | OrigenTech | CEO |
| Maida Serer | FedEx | Financial Advisor for LAC Supply Chain & US Southern Border |
| Maria Pugliese | eMed | Director Quality Management |
| Mario Stecher | Hellmann Worldwide Logistics | SVP, Regional Head of Seafreight |
| Nomar Ramis | Magaya | Chief Customer Officer (CCO) |
| Osmer Arauz | Quirch Foods | Logistics Director |
| Rob Grimal | Microsoft | Sr. Technology Specialist AI |
| Robert Savage | LACTALIS | Senior Director, Transportation |
| Rod Cintra | Titan America | Vice President of Logistics and Supply Chain |