@ Our Centers
Diversity Drives UI&U's Florida Center, Located in North Miami Beach
Like the area itself, known for its vibrant and diverse communities made up of cultures rich in history and traditions, UI&U’s Florida Center is a colorful mosaic of people – a supportive family with members from across the globe.
A large percentage of UI&U’s Florida learners are of Latin American, Caribbean, or Mexican descent, and many are the first in their family to earn college degrees.
Angela Byles, executive assistant to the dean and faculty advisor at UI&U’s Florida Center, knows how difficult it can be for many adult learners to go back to school – often times juggling family, community, and work obligations.
“When adults decide to come back to school, it is a choice that will impact the entire family,” she said. “For many, it is a sacrifice, and it requires a family commitment.”
That commitment often leads others in the family to become UI&U learners.
“The Diaz family is a great example. We see a lot of family members graduating together,” said Angela, who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UI&U. In fact, her own daughter, Patricia Thomas, followed in her mother’s footsteps when she earned her BA from UI&U in 2002. (Read about the Diaz Family here)
And, “family” extends beyond just relatives. The faculty and staff at the Florida Center have grown to serve as an extended family to its learners. “We create our own academic family,” said Dr. Beryl Watnick, director of the center’s master of education and educational specialist programs. “We provide a tremendous amount of individualized and ongoing support to our learners and work hard to establish a sense of community.”
Dr. Watnick’s learners know how to contact her – day or night. And it isn’t unusual for a learner to drop by her house for advice and support, or visit UI&U on the weekend to talk to a faculty member.
“I think this is one of the reasons we are a unique place,” said Angela. “Our learners know that the UI&U doors are always open to them – even after they graduate.”
One learner, in particular, who was inspired by UI&U, is Sergeant First Class Michael Bloom, who completed his degree in Criminal Justice at UI&U in 2002.
Sgt. Bloom, now on his second tour of duty in Iraq, recently sent the Florida Center a bronze plaque and American flag flown over Iraq. The plaque bears a dedication to UI&U learners past and present and shows the American flag and the badge that identifies his airborne division. The flag had flown for nine hours and eleven minutes as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Read About Sergeant Bloom’s gift here)
“We felt extremely honored to receive this gift from Michael, who is thousands of miles away from us and putting his life on the line,” said Angela. “It is a heartwarming experience every time I walk by the plaque. And it goes to show you that our learners hold us in their hearts, no matter how far they travel and long after they graduate.”
At no time is this more evident than at Florida's commencements – where new graduates and their entire families celebrate this important milestone. The upcoming ceremony on May 18, featuring commencement speaker Dr. James Bell, is looking to be no different. (Read about commencement speaker James Bell here).
“This is when you understand just how UI&U is a family,” said Angela. “It is truly a special celebration.”
The commencement program lists the graduates and the many majors pursued. Among the most popular degree programs are education and criminal justice. The undergraduate program in education counts many of its education graduates as “Rookie Teacher of the Year” in their first year of employment in the county school system. In fact, UI&U has graduated numerous award-winning educators, many who have earned advanced degrees in programs such as educational leadership and special education. (Read learner profiles here).
“Because so many of our student teachers who are placed in the Broward and Miami-Dade County schools for their internship experience eventually become permanent teachers there, we have become well known for providing a strong background in teaching, particularly at elementary and middle school levels,” said Dr. Marie Bogat, dean of the center. “In addition, many of our adjunct professors are drawn from the teaching faculties of schools within the system.”
Recently, three graduates of Dr. Watnick’s education specialist program were appointed as assistant principals in Florida schools. Another recent graduate has started his doctoral program in the university’s new Ed.D. program.
The other area of public service is the strong program in criminal justice. “Our outreach efforts in criminal justice,” added Dr. Bogat, “have established our name among men and women working as police officers assigned to the community as well as to the schools.”
Founded in 1984 and located in North Miami Beach in Miami-Dade County near the county line of Broward County, UI&U’s Florida Center is busy branching out into areas South of Miami including Monroe County (the Florida Keys) and North into Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie counties.
Situated off the busy US 1 Highway which runs along the Atlantic coast, UI&U’s Florida Center is comprised of two buildings – one houses the offices of U&IU faculty and staff, and the other is a state-of-the-art learning facility complete with classrooms, a computer lab, meeting spaces, and large conference areas available for use by both UI&U and outside groups.
Dr. Bogat says they look for opportunities to accommodate outside groups.
“We are pleased to make room available to community organizations whenever possible,” she said, “and look for opportunities to do so. We regularly serve as the locale for certification testing for teachers in the Miami-Dade County system.”
“I think the Florida Center reflects the warmth and friendliness that one often associates with this tourist-filled area,” said Dr. Bogat.
UI&U President Dr. Roger Sublett often describes the university as “a national university spanning the nation from New England to Florida and California, anchored in Ohio." He knows just how important the Florida Center is to the rest of the university. “The faculty, administration, learners, and alumni have always been a vibrant part of Union and an active partner in promoting the university’s distinctions and benefits,” he says. And, in some ways, what goes on in Florida represents a microcosm of the entire university. “We have learners from all sectors and from a variety of nations and backgrounds," Dr. Sublett continued. “These learners are studying to earn degrees, whether undergraduate, masters, or doctoral, that will help them help others,” he says. “They are truly living out UI&U’s vision to be enlightened, engaged, and empowered.”