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Xi Chapter at Florida International University

The AEL chapter at Florida International University returned to active status on January 26, 2008. Led by Suzette DeCastro and Franklin Soars, the Xi Chapter held its installation ceremony in the Panther Suite of the FIU Graham Center where it inducted eleven new members. Attending the ceremony were FIU administration representatives Dr. John Tubman, Assistant Dean of the Graduate School; Lenroy Jones, Director of Career Services; and Allison Foster, GSA Faculty Advisor.

Inducted into the society were: Antonio Jefferson, Vedala Krishnatej Bhaskar, Roseline Telfort, Jennifer Morales, Michael Salvador Macias, Kristie Brandt, Whitney Moores-Abdool, Jennifer J Fransen, Jacinta Avery, Franklin Soares, Suzette M. DeCastro, Stephanie Welin, Lance Kearns, Jason A. Ingrao and Raquel Wright.

Florida International University is Miami-Dade County 's first public, four-year university. FIU was founded in 1965 and opened for classes in 1972 with 5,667 students - the largest opening day enrollment in U.S. collegiate history. Today it has more than 38,000 students.

The Xi Chapter was first established at FIU in 1995 through the leadership of Dr. Robert Vas and Mr. Raynald C. Brourard, GSA President and NAGPS board member. FIU graduate student leaders continue to be active within the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students. The GSA at FIU hosted the NAGPS Southeast Regional Conference from February 22-24, 2008 in Miami . FIU hosted over 20 graduate student representatives from around the Southeast region. It was a wonderful two day conference which focused on improving the state of current Graduate Student Associations.

AEL Executive Director Dr. John Capece traveled to Miami to attend the ceremony and personally congratulate the Xi Chapter new members. He addressed the group welcoming the chapter back to active status and recalling his attendance at the first FIU initiation ceremony more than twelve years ago. Dr. Capece also presented the chapter with the first AEL banner delivered to and displayed by a campus chapter.

“Isn't it appropriate that this occasion fell in the same week as the nation celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. I want all the newly inducted members to live by his quote - If you want things to change, you must be the miracle. All of us as graduate students in AEL must be the miracle,” Soars told the group.

Suzette DeCastro, President of the newly reactivated chapter and graduate student in the FIU department of Dietetics and Public Health led the effort to revitalize the chapter. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrated the previous week and Black History Month to begin the following week, Suzette talked about leadership from the perspective of Dr. King. She encouraged new members to look within themselves and challenge to evaluate their personal commitment to academic and social leadership.

Suzette DeCastro was awarded AEL National Member in recognition of her leadership in reactivating the AEL Chapter at FIU.

AEL extends its sincere congratulations to Suzette DeCastro, Franklin Soars and the Xi Chapter Members for their campus leadership and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.