Hundreds of high school students, who will be attending schools such as the University of Miami, Florida A&M, and FIU, attended an event on May 16 that marked the end of a college prep series spearheaded by UM’s School of Education and Human Development, Center for Latin American Studies, and College Summit.

LaDawn Russell always had the aptitude and grades to attend college. The only challenges the Carol City High School senior faced were learning about scholarships and financial aid, knowing how to write an effective college application essay, and choosing a major.

But Russell overcame those obstacles, learning about potential funding sources, getting help from a writing coach, and finding out about the variety of academic disciplines offered at the post-secondary level. Now, she is headed to the University of Miami as a nursing student with a handful of scholarships. She credits a UM college prep series for helping make it all possible. Read the full story

Rudy Fernandez, vice president of government and community relations, has been named chief of staff for the Office of the President. Fernandez will continue in his government and community relations role while taking on new responsibilities as chief of staff.

Since joining the University in 2007, Fernandez has helped to secure more than $300 million in public funding for the University of Miami. He led the advocacy efforts that resulted in the passage of state legislation granting sovereign immunity protection to UM doctors at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He also oversees the University’s broad-based community outreach efforts.

Prior to joining UM, Fernandez served as special assistant to the president in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs under President George W. Bush. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from the University of Miami.

Rebecca MacMillan Fox, who has served as chief of staff in the Office of the President since 2006 and concurrently as interim dean of the Division of Continuing and International Education since 2010, will now focus exclusively on DCIE’s rapidly growing educational (credit and non-credit) and online programs that provide courses, seminars, workshops, certificate programs, and special events for nontraditional students.

Fox spearheaded DCIE’s review and reorganization, which has resulted in closer coordination with UM schools and colleges. Prior to joining the UM family, she served as senior associate vice president for University Advancement and Dean of College Advancement at the University of Rochester. Before that she served as dean of the College at Hobart and William Smith College, head of school at the Bryn Mawr School of Baltimore, and assistant dean at Bryn Mawr College, where she received her A.B., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in French Literature.

Several high school graduation ceremonies will be held at the University of Miami’s BankUnited this week. Expect traffic delays on US 1 and Ponce de Leon Boulevard between Granada and Red Road.

Parking in the University’s yellow zone lots will increase during the ceremonies, and the Pavia and Ponce De Leon garages will also experience an increase in usage. Color restrictions for UM’s parking lots are lifted during the summer, with the exception of the blue and purple lots.

High School Graduation Schedule

June 3- 9:00AM- Miami Palmetto Senior High School

June 3- 2:00PM- Hialeah Senior High School

June 3- 7:00PM- Felix Varela Senior High School

June 4- 9:00AM- North Miami Beach Senior High School

June 4- 2:00PM- Miami Killian Senior High School

June 4- 7:00PM- Miami Sunset Senior High School

June 5- 9:00AM- Coral Reef Senior High School

June 5- 2:00PM- Miami Senior High School

June 5- 7:00PM- Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School

June 6- 9:00AM- Miami Coral Park Senior High School

June 6- 2:00PM- Southwest Miami Senior High School

June 6- 7:00PM- G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School

June 7- 9:00AM- Hialeah Gardens Senior High School

June 7- 2:00PM- South Dade Senior High School

June 7- 7:00PM- Mater Academy

School Communication Associate Professor Victoria Orrego Dunleavy (first row, second from right) and graduate student Jasmine Phillips (back row, first from left) are in Guatemala this summer working on a project to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among young adults.

A University of Miami School of Communication faculty member and graduate student are on a mission this summer to improve the health of people in Guatemala.

Victoria Orrego Dunleavy, associate professor of communication studies, and Jasmine Phillips, a Ph.D. candidate at the school, are collaborating on a new study about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, targeting young adults (18 to 25 years old) in the Tz’utujil Mayan community of Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala. Read the full story

The Department of Theatre Arts’ six-week Summer Theatre Academy has openings for students going into the first through seventh grades. Classes are led by well-trained instructors who will help students develop theatre skills, confidence, self-esteem, and creativity. An Advanced Academy, which includes specialized workshops on the performing and technical aspects of theatre, is offered for students going into the eighth through tenth grades. Registration is available for each individual session or all six weeks.

Session One: June 10 to 28
Session Two: July 1 to 19

Please visit www.as.miami.edu/sta for more information or call 305-284-4474.