UIC Celebrated Its 19th Commencement Ceremony
Written by Dr. Marcela Moyano
United International College celebrated its 19th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 25th at the Auditorium of the Old Davie School Historical Museum 6650 Griffin Rd, Davie, FL 33314 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
City of Miramar’s Commissioner Maxwell Chambers served as Commencement Speaker and addressed the graduates with a heartfelt speech. Commissioner Chambers traced his life story during his speech, by telling the audience about his early life in Jamaican and following a path in his adult life as community leader and entrepreneur, overcoming life challenges. He praised his mother for always believing in him and remembered his son, Maxwell Chambers Jr. who recently passed away in March this year.
Lydia Bautista Möller, UIC’s President, addressed the graduates and reiterated that they would always have a home at UIC. She mentioned the importance of Holistic Education as part of UIC’s curricula and the tenacity of the graduating class to have accomplished their goal of graduation during the pandemic. Most of the program courses were delivered online and students endured the hardship brought by the pandemic while focusing on their education.
Antonio Martinez was the commencement speaker representing the student body. Antonio recognized the administration of UIC for having given courage to the students. Also, he was grateful to his classmates for sharing such an important moment of his lifetime. He also recognized family members for their support during the academic time of the students. Antonio’s speech highlighted lessons lived together regardless of their majors, which were based on limits, courage and risks. “Today, we live in the present building the future” concluded Antonio in his speech.
19 students received their academic degrees. 10 students received bachelor degrees in Business Administration and International Business Management; and 9 students received their associate degrees in Business Administration and Communications and Mass Media. UIC’s Body of Graduate Students represented diverse nations from multiple continents. 6 students were from Vietnam, 6 students were from Venezuela, 3 students were from Colombia; and students also represented India, Russia, Brazil and Romania.
UIC’s Graduates, Faculty, Board of Directors and Commencement Speaker celebrated with a toast with sparkling rose by the graduate Ana Maria Socha, who was receiving her Bachelor Degree in International Business Management.
Some of the graduating students highlighted their most memorable moments at UIC for social media.
Alix Paez is graduating from her A.S. in Communications and Mass Media. She is from Venezuela. Her happiest moments at UIC were the gatherings at the cafeteria during class breaks as traditionally all her classmates and faculty shared typical food from their countries. “It was a perfect moment to talk about our lives, get to know each other much better, help each other, and of course to laugh a lot as well.”
She will obtain her Personal Training Certification from the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Her goal is to work with seniors to help them to improve their health and quality of life based on proven methods of exercise, nutrition, and behavior changes. After that, she plans to start her own business. Studying Communication and Mass Media has given her the necessary tools and knowledge to start promoting her business once she receives her certification.
Tuong Hoang is graduating from her A.S. in Business Administration. She is from Vietnam. “UIC gave me a comfortable environment. I enjoyed every single day studying at UIC. UIC’s team arranged many activities for students such as field trips, a Halloween Party, Thanksgiving Celebration, Bowling Night. One of my happiest memories was a field trip to Oleta River State Park Beach. We played volleyball together, shared food and had a chance to get to know each other. I really enjoyed it.
Tuong has not started her own business yet. Her plan for the future is to earn her bachelor degree and open her own business.
Hong Nguyen is graduating from her A.S. in Business Administration. She is from Vietnam. Her happiest memory at UIC was the opportunity to meet many friends from different countries around the world. She learned about their cultures and languages. Also, she had the chance to witness other students’ business projects. “They do a very good job in advertising, preparing and selling their products.”
Hong hasn’t started her business yet. Dream English Center is her business project, which is about international schools where impoverished children can have the opportunity to learn how to speak English to have a better future. Her plan for the future is to keep studying for a bachelor degree and understand more about business. “My plan for the future is to develop my business project and step by step make it come true. I know that I need to observe and gain more experience in order to be successful in the future.”
Tram Tran is graduating from her A.S. in Business Administration. She is from Vietnam. Her happiest memory at UIC was when she had class discussions with classmates and her wonderful professors. “We had a great time during each semester at UIC.” She has not started her business yet. Upon her graduation, she will take one year for her Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa; then, she will go back to UIC for her Bachelor Degree in Business Administration.
Roberto Alimenti is graduating from his B.S. in International Business Management. He is from Venezuela. His happiest moments at UIC were always receiving the love and support from the entire UIC team. “Thank you.” Roberto started Amapon LLC, his own business focused on selling products online in different platforms like Shopify and Amazon. “My life goal is to live my life under my terms and times. My plans for the future are to grow my business exponentially and keep learning about my passion.”
Tuan Nguyen is graduating from his B.S. in Business Administration. He is from Vietnam. His happiest moments in UIC were when his Professors helped him to identify and guided him to the right purpose of his life. “They helped me to dream and how to reach my dream.” Under his Optional Practical Training (OPT) Visa, he is working as the receptionist of his friend’s business. His friend also graduated from UIC and currently owns a nail salon in Miami. “I am here to help her and also to learn more about managing a business. I am planning to open a coffee shop or a restaurant in Florida. I am waiting to get my status in order to start my business.”
Ana Socha is graduating from her B.S. in International Business Management. She is from Colombia. Her happiest memory was to create strong relationships with people from all around the world, to learn and understand about their cultures and beliefs. Now she can call them true friends. Her plans for the future are to find her dream job, to travel around the world and to become a great professional. “Someone once told me that the power is within me, and I completely agree.”
Zamir Pinzon is graduating from his B.S. in International Business Management. He is from Colombia. “My happiest memories were the field trips, sharing moments with his friends, knowing new places, and eating a lot of food together.” He started DCL Professional Cleaning Service, his own cleaning business with his mother. Check out it’s website http://www.dclprofessionalsvcs.com/ His future plans are to earn a Master’s Degree, and “apply the knowledge that I acquired at UIC.”
Maria Alejandra Pineda is graduating from her B.S. in BusinessAdministration. She is from Venezuela. “Her happiest memories at UIC were at the Student Art Night Out of 2020 before the pandemic started, when her brother Jesus Pineda performed playing the electric guitar, and other students performed as well and displayed their photography art work at the art gallery of UIC! “That night was so much fun.”
She is currently working under her Optional Practical Training (OPT) Visa and she will continue pursuing her bachelor degree.
UIC Business Expo Showcases Future Entrepreneurs
Written by Prof. Jack Rose
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Dr. Marcela Moyano
marcela@uinternational.edu
Miramar – Students in Professor Jack Rose’s Business Expo class showcased their businesses on Monday, June 21, 2021 between, 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., at the Dr. Alberto Moyano Auditorium, United International College, 3130 Commerce Parkway, Miramar, FL These budding entrepreneurs unveiled their future business plans and had a great turnout of individuals to interact with them about their product/service.
Student Esteban Roldan’s company is called Best Car Parking and Car Care Services that will target busy business properties in South Florida. While their vehicle is on the site, Roldan’s company will offer different services, such as car detailing, oil change, and shopping services to make their client lives easier to navigate by saving their clients valuable time.
Ana Pinedo is promoting Sweet Love, her surprise breakfast business that individuals can order a complete breakfast that is delivered on a wooden tray, decorated with balloons and appropriate decorations. Recipients of the Surprise Breakfast gift will certainly treasure the thoughts behind this gift.
Ashok Kusumala is excited about his Iconic Gas and Convenience Stop, and looks forward to implementing localization marketing techniques to service customers with the products they use.
Satish Dasari is confident that his franchised Kwik Stop Grocery Store will be welcomed in communities without a grocery store that is within a close proximity to their homes. His experience in the business will contribute to entrepreneurial success.
Ricardo Forero’s Broward Driving School will assist new drivers with individual driving lessons and teaching clients all the rules of the road, in preparation for each of his clients to obtain their driver’s license.
Juliet Contreras’ Mystic by Juliet creates an individual “soul box” for clients and for gift giving. This unusual, creative item is dedicated to creating boxes to improve stability of people who practice meditation, yoga, and reki. The recipient has the opportunity to improve self-esteem, quality of life, balance energy, balance chakras, and in the use of healing.
Valentina Ortiz’s company, RosediVale, is a new classic jewelry aspirational brand that generates female empowerment through its classic and unique styles. The central concept of RosediVale is to reflect traditional and elegant pieces that muse femininity and elegance.
In preparation for their own Business Expo, students attended a recent trade show/expo at the Miami International Mart in Miami Gardens where they were able to interact with many of the vendors and observe the purposes of executing a great trade show/expo.
“Working with these great students and watching them develop their ideas and bringing them to fruition, is the result of their coursework in marketing, management, accounting, finance, business planning, and entrepreneurship, added Professor Rose. Over the years, many successful entrepreneurs have started and grown their businesses successfully.” For more information, please contact Professor Rose at jrose@uinternational.edu.
UIC Students Explore Operación Pedro Pan
Written by Prof. Chonevski Aleksandar
UIC Students Explore the Operación Pedro Pan
During the COVID-19 Winter Semester of 2021, United International College’ (UIC) students from the International Business Management Program followed an online Ethics course conducted by Prof. Aleksandar Chonevski who invited Dr. Javier Gonzalez, a social justice professor from Barry University, on April 12, to present Operación Pedro Pan. After which, the class linked to a Global Immigration webinar.
On April 12, Barry University’s Institute for Immigration Studies (IIS), partnered with the Catholic University of America to sponsor a virtual speaker panel discussion entitled “Immigrant Family Separation: Past and Present.” Students from UIC’s Ethics class were invited to participate and reflect on the virtual event.
Nice United International College students reflected upon the Pedro Pan Conference with ideas, practice discussions, and themes, that concerned the panel highlight such as: comparison of different systems and social contrast, trauma, welfare, injustice and ethical relativism, feminism, difficulties of immigration, equality and discrimination, revolutionary purpose, educational challenges, struggling to survive, better citizens, family reunions that is extension prose of contemporary issues.
Ethical class conclusion: This conference “Immigrant Family Separation: Past and Present” revealed memories and contemporary lived experiences of Pedro Pan minors from the largest exodus in south Florida that shifted and recognized educational, cultural, socio-economics, psychological and political needs that happened and continues to happen in America, with purpose of dialogue and action to further research the narratives of American Dreamers.
College Students Learn Skills for a Professional Trade Show
Written by Prof. Jack Rose
Miramar, Florida – Students in Professor Jack Rose’s Business Expo class were invited to attend the recent Miami International Trade Mart Show on March 8th held in Miami Gardens. This B2B trade show included vendors showcasing their products in various categories, including luggage, household, health and beauty, party supplies, disposable goods, picture frames, calendars and other paper products, area rugs, electronics and more.
The students interacted with many of the vendors who shared their experiences with the business majors. Jodi Meserve of IG Design Group Americas Inc. encouraged students to take advantage of any and all opportunities that come their way. Jodi is an expert on global sourcing and the students learned about the importance of using Excel spreadsheets. Traveling all over the world, Jodi shared that she does not speak any other language, but preparation and research of potential clients were very important. “You establish a relationship, ask about their customer want and styles, colors they like, and then you build a presentation geared specifically to their business.” Professor Rose added, “Just like music is the universal language, spreadsheets and numbers speak volumes without uttering a word.”
These budding entrepreneurs were attending the trade show since their final project is to execute their own business expo. Attending the trade show were students, Elona Dushku, Renata Diniz, Valentina Perez, and Quynh Truong. All of the students said the trade show was a great experience and they enjoyed seeing a live trade show since most of the trade shows have been virtual the past yar. “Speaking with these vendors was very special,” Valentina added.
Speaking on Radio Taught Online
Written by Dr. Marcela Moyano
Miramar –Students of the Communications and Mass Media program of United International College enrolled in the Speaking on Radio course during the Summer term and embarked on a challenging journey to learn how to announce and manage their voice through UIC’s distance learning modality due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When I was offered to teach this course, I immediately knew it was going to be a challenge. I teach audio editing and voice announcing in this course. I was excited about embracing this challenge and getting the best out of it” Dr. Marcela Moyano, course’s professor.
UIC has an audio studio equipped with a radio station for students to practice their learning. Since this group of students was not going to enjoy the benefits of learning in this state of the art facility, UIC’s communications program administration had to ensure that students would have all necessary equipment to learn.
Therefore, each student enrolled in the course received by mail a USB Cardioid Digital Condenser Microphone for their practice and production work. In addition, they all were given access to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Application and downloaded Adobe Audition CC for their audio editing needs.
The course began and Dr. Moyano started teaching them through UIC’s Online Campus successfully instructing breathing and voice management techniques, and audio editing. The course methodology implemented exceeded students’ expectations and students were excited to have their own equipment at home.
Week seven of the eleven-week course, was a memorable one. Students premiered their South Florida Mosaic radio show, in which pieces of News were featured by Martha Rodriguez, Arts by Daniela del Valle, and Culture by Carolina Portilla. The show was live streamed on Facebook and had five episodes. The show also featured Stephany Jimenez, the creator of The Bird Movement; Santiago del Valle, Production Manager; and Valentina Bilbao, a world acclaimed visual artist. The South Florida Mosaic concluded with live streaming of students’ audio stories on the last episode of the season.
The South Florida Mosaic Season
Also, the charismatic radio talent Tamara Gant, mostly known in South Florida as Tamara G. and co-host of mornings on 101.5 Lite FM with Julie Guy, known for their long running show as “Those Two Girls in the Morning,” visited the virtual class and inspired the students to follow a career on the radio industry. Tamara shared with students her experience and passion on radio and demonstrated some announcing techniques she had implemented that same week. Students applied some of her news writing and announcing tips in the upcoming radio shows.
The course concluded with an hour session with WLRN anchor and voice talent Christine DiMattei. In preparation for her lecture, she shared with Dr. Moyano scripts to be distributed to each student. On the day of her class, students role play being professional announcers with DiMattei. She introduced them as reporters and they would read each of the scripts. Then, she would critique their delivery and emphasize ways of improvement. At the end of the class, students were confident and excited that they had received a private lesson from a talented, acclaimed, and numerous award winning professional.
UIC’s focus is on hands-on education and this course is a clear example of how UIC embraces technology and creativity to provide students with most enriching learning experiences.
Learn more about the Communications and Mass Media program
UIC Students' First Virtual Business Expo
Written by Prof. Jack Rose
Miramar – Students in Professor Jack Rose’s Business Expo class presented their First Virtual Business Expo on Thursday, September 17th through Zoom.us, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
In the past, the business expo was held in the school’s Dr. Moyano Auditorium at United International College, 3130 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, Florida. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the students attended the Virtual National Small Business Expo held on August 4th and 5th. Professor Rose emphasized that one of the most important words in business is flexibility and while the students looked forward to this event that always had a large attendance allowing the students to interact with potential clients, the need to promote their products and services had to take on another venue. Thus, the First Virtual Business Expo was conceived.
Tuong Hoang plans to open Queen Beauty Nail Salon offering not only manicures and pedicures, but skin care services through various facial treatments, waxing and threading.
Hong Nguyen’s business is Dream English Center where people who want to improve their English skills in her native Vietnam, in Nghe An countryside. She plans on offering a quality-learning environment for young children, teenagers, and adults.
Alix Paez, a native of Venezuela, is passionate about the make-up industry and believes that makeup can be used as a therapeutic instrument, since it also increases and transforms the clients mood and self-esteem.
Tram Tran’s business enterprise is Beauty Hair Salon and believes that proper hair care and treatment contributes to an increase in self-confidence.
Binh Nguyen also looks forward to opening her own nail salon providing excellent nail care and other services in a relaxing environment.
Students submitted their written Sales Promotion Plan as their final term project.
For further information, please contact Professor Rose at jrose@unilatina.edu
UIC’s 2020 Commencement Ceremony Was Quiet a Memorable Academic Act Conducted in the Campus Parking Lot where the Applauses shifted to Celebratory Car Honking
Miramar, FL- United International College commemorated its annual commencement ceremony on Friday, June 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot of its campus in the Miramar Park of Commerce, 3130 Commerce Parkway, Miramar, FL 33025 with the support of the Miramar Police Department.
UIC celebrated the culmination of the academic journey of 22 students earning associate and bachelor degrees in Business, Communications and Tourism. These 22 fine students represent Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates.
The ceremony began with a drive by parade from the graduating students, followed by a speech from UIC’s founding president, Lydia Bautista Möller, “The world needs you more than ever…Also, we are happy to celebrate our first graduating ceremony with our new name, United International College. Name that represents our community with the incredible cultures we welcome every day. Our growth wouldn’t be possible without the voice of each of you and we want you to know that this is your home and will be your alma mater…UIC stands with every minority, gender, race, religion, and recognizes the movement that has led us to become more inclusive and respectful of all lives. We all are equally important.”
Commencement student speaker and Summa Cum Laude, Laura Steudel, added “although we are immigrants, we are united. I want to thank you for supporting me throughout these years. This United family will support us always. I want to remind you that we are in a country where being unique is embraced. All our ideas have weight. Find something you love and pursue it.”
A caravan parade with the commencement students followed to award their diplomas. Faculty members and board of directors greeted students from a distance with farewell message signs. Right after Laura’s speech, the Miramar Police and Fire Department officers surprised the grads with a celebratory drive by parade from their police patrols and fire trucks. They held signs that read “Congratulations Class of 2020”.
During these difficult times of social distancing, UIC joins with the community to inspire and celebrate the efforts of UIC’s graduating students who culminated their degrees under the difficult circumstances faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ceremony was broadcasted live through social media for family and friends to join this solemn academic act.
Crafting a Public Relations Campaign Proposal
Miramar, FL- On April 6, 2020, seven UIC students started taking PUR 301: Introduction to Public Relations taught by Dr. Marcela Moyano. The course began only two weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine and was delivered online through UIC’s Online Campus.
The first weeks of the course students learned the fundamental concepts of Public Relations, which prepared them to develop a Public Relations Campaign Proposal for their startups or a client’s company.
Students carefully identified a Campaign Overarching Objective, the publics that were going to be targeted in this campaign and specific goals, strategies, tactics and key messages. They developed a campaign budget and calendar, and finalized their campaigns with an evaluation instrument to assess the success of their campaign.
On May 4th, Jessica Levy, founder and president of Levy, a public relations, events, and social media agency, virtually visited the class and shared with UIC students her experience as an expert in the field. She shared with them examples of initiatives executed with her clients that demonstrated the value of public relations. As a result of this talk with Jessica, students were able to understand the nature of the field and picture themselves as PR practitioners.
On May 25, students submitted the first part of the P.R. Campaign Proposal. They continued editing their work and adding to their proposal on a weekly basis. On June 15, they were ready to deliver their final presentations. Daniela Del Valle, prepared a campaign for her audio visual company, DVSA Corp, and invited her partner, Santiago Del Valle to listen to her final presentation and give her feedback.
Martha Rodriguez prepared a campaign for ATR Group, a real estate agency. After much thought and feedback from the professor and classmates, she successfully completed her campaign. On the day of her presentation, she shared with the class that ATR Group was already implementing some of the proposed tactics in her campaign.
“I am a graphic designer and now I study Communications & Media at United International College. This term I took the Public Relations class with Professor Marcela Moyano. I am so impressed because I had never imagined how much I could learn. For the final project we had to make a public relations campaign proposal for a company, I chose to do it for a team of real estate agents. It was incredible and hard work because I had to do a careful investigation of the team on its public, competitors, mission, vision, and then design the proposal with a main objective and three goals with excellent strategies, tactics and messages to reach them. I really enjoyed doing it. I was able to learn more than I ever imagined.”
Renata Diniz, developed a P.R. Campaign Proposal on her company Tasty Bites. As most of the students, she also did a wonderful job crafting her tactics and coming up with creative ideas to engage new customers.
All the course was delivered through UIC’s online classroom, The Big Blue Button, which facilitated and enhanced student interaction through break out rooms. Students truly embraced technology and excelled at it! This can be appreciated through their public relations campaign proposals.
Learn more about UIC Communications and Mass Media Programs