
W100 Representative
Anthony RiondaAssociate Vice President for Strategic Communications, Government and External Affairs
Anthony Rionda serves as FIU’s Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications, Government and External Affairs, where he works to support the University’s agenda at the local, state and federal level. In his role, he has helped develop innovative advocacy strategies and campaigns, advocacy communications initiatives, and innovative academic and student initiatives. In 2015 Professor Rionda was appointed a Fellow of the FIU Honors College where he teaches two courses on government and leadership. He is actively engaged in the South Florida community and serves as a member of the Miami-Dade County Historic Preservation Board. Rionda is a Miami native and a three-time FIU graduate, holding a B.A. in Political Science, an M.P.A. from the Green School of International and Public Affairs, and a J.D. from the College of Law.

FIU is Miami’s public research university. Offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, both on campus and fully online. FIU is worlds ahead in its service to the academic and local community.
Designated a Preeminent State Research University, FIU emphasizes research as a major component in the university’s mission. The Robert Stempel School of Public Health and Social Work and the Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences’ Discovery Lab are just two of many colleges, schools and setting new standards through research initiatives.
For more than 50 years, FIU has positioned itself as one of South Florida’s anchor institutions by solving some of the greatest challenges of our time. We are dedicated to enriching the lives of the local and global community. With a student body of more than 56,000, we are among the largest universities in the nation and have collectively graduated more than 300,000 alumni, 165,000 of whom live and work in South Florida.
The Latest from Florida International University
Big news! FIU’s hospitality program is ranked No. 4 among U.S. public universities by QS World University Rankings! 🎉 Several other FIU programs also made the top 50. #FIU #QSWorldRankings #QSWUR
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Several FIU programs rank in the top 50 in QS World University Rankings by Subject
Several FIU programs rank in the top 50 in QS World University Rankings by Subject
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Matt Kuscher '00 turned his love for hospitality into a Miami dining empire. From @FIUHospitality to owning iconic spots like LoKal, he’s showing what it takes to make it big! ✨
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Alumnus shares how to succeed in hospitality
Matt Kuscher '00 is a top restaurateur who has turned his passion for creating Miami-style eateries into a successful business.
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The FIU Alumni Breakfast with @HCWillieSimmons is right around the corner! Join us on March 28th at Coral Gables Golf & Country Club for a morning of networking, insights, and Panther Pride! @FIUAthletics @FIUFootball
🏆 RSVP now & don’t miss out: https://ow.ly/NesC50Vhjv8
FIU ranks #68 globally & #43 in the U.S. on the Top 100 Worldwide list for patent production for the 8th year in a row! With 55 patents in 2024, FIU continues to lead in research innovation.👏
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Beyond numbers: Patent production makes clear depth, breadth of university research strength
FIU lands on Top 100 Worldwide List of universities for the number of U.S. utility patents produced in 2024, as ...
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FIU received an “A” grade from the Anti-Defamation League for its strong support of Jewish students, making it one of only eight universities nationwide to earn a top score. FIU is the only public university in Florida with this distinction. 👏
Read more: https://ow.ly/yPbY50Vf86U
Time to take your Panther pride for a spin! 💙 Show your FIU spirit with the new license plate and support scholarships for future students. Get yours today online or at @FIUParking office!
Order here✨: https://ow.ly/QpOK50Vcykz
Ever wondered how tourism can save the planet?🌍Students from @FIUHospitality Global Sustainable Tourism saw it firsthand in the Amazon, learning how eco-tourism supports communities and protects nature.
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In the jungle, students learn how to make tourism sustainable
Hospitality majors observed how tour guides in the Brazilian Amazon ensured the continued viability of their businesse...
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We’re excited to announce that FIU is in #STATMadness! 🎉 Diana Azzam, PhD, and her team at @fiustempel are recognized for their groundbreaking work on personalized cancer treatments. @statnews
Read more and vote to help support this important research:

FIU headed to the Big Dance: the science version of March Madness
Among the 64 seeded research teams is that of cancer investigator Diana Azzam. Fans can vote online now.
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300+Academic associations, honour and professional societies, cultural organisations and interest groups
3 Art and history museums
142 Countries represented in our student body
FIU’s core values encompass teamwork, excellence, innovation, and service.
“Half sprawling city, half tropical wilderness, all progress. We’re proud to call Miami our home. It’s a dynamic hotspot for innovation and creation. This multilingual, multinational city puts the “I” in FIU.
Where others see challenges, we see opportunity. Our research and service efforts take aim at the unique issues Miami faces in climate change, globalizing economy, major population shifts and more.”
Mission and vision
- Mission FIU's mission is to provide high-quality teaching, research, and creative activities while engaging with both local and global communities. FIU also seeks to create pathways for underrepresented students to access higher education.
- Vision FIU’s vision focuses on student-centred learning, economic mobility, research, creative activities, and transformative innovations. The university also aims to be recognised as a top 50 public university.
FIU is classified as a Carnegie Very High Research institution.
Florida International University (FIU) aspires to be recognised as a top 50 public university by excelling in student-centred learning and promoting upward economic mobility. The university is committed to producing socially impactful research and fostering creativity while driving transformative innovations on both local and global scales. FIU’s Next Horizon 2025 strategic plan builds on the achievements of previous initiatives, continuing the dedication to exceptional learner success and maintaining the highest standards of university research and innovation.
As South Florida’s only public R1: Doctoral University—Highest Research Activity, FIU is proud of its strong record of service to the community and its students. The university’s research agenda enriches both the intellectual and material aspects of life for students, their families, and the wider community. Building on its BeyondPossible2020 strategic plan, FIU’s Next Horizon 2025 offers a clear path to amplify its research impact, providing solutions to real-world challenges.
FIU’s research is geared towards addressing scientific, social, and economic challenges both in Florida and across the nation. The research conducted by FIU’s faculty directly contributes to local economic development and problem-solving, while also creating high-skill, high-wage jobs for the community. As an urban research university, FIU is committed to investing in the next generation of scientists and innovators, which is seen as essential for global competitiveness, job creation, economic resilience, and achieving key national goals.
Become a Member
The World 100 Reputation Network is a group of the best universities in the world, delivering research that enhances reputation and offering leaders the chance to develop their own careers on a global stage. Members benefit from events and study tours, training, monthly media monitoring, and unique reputation research to provide institutional advantage.