As interim dean of FIU Business, and as associate dean of Chapman graduate programs for several years, I'm honored to lead a college focused on its mission of equipping students with the tools and insights needed to succeed in a dynamic business climate. Never has this mission been more important than in the past 20 months. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed us to reaffirm our commitment to educating and supporting the next generation of leaders. We have been proactive in helping our students understand that the way business is conducted has undergone fundamental change and will continue to evolve.

Nowhere is this change clearer than in the healthcare industry. From the first sign of COVID-19 in early 2020, healthcare leaders have grappled with pandemic demands impacting virtually every resource and business process. New business strategies have been created and implemented to meet the new normal. Our cover story provides insights from FIU Business faculty on the near-term future of the healthcare industry. Our alumni are forging new paths to create organizations that navigate the balance between patient health and economic sustainability.

In this issue we also showcase some of the remarkable work done by our faculty and alumni. You'll learn about the work done by Department of Finance Chair Shahid Hamid, who leads a research team that helps set rates for Florida windstorm insurance – complex, painstaking work updated and expanded each year. You'll hear about the first class to graduate from our Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) program and how the program provides business leaders with new skills and a focus on data-driven problem-solving.

I'm especially proud of our story about alumnus Glenn J. Rufrano (MS '74), CEO of VEREIT, a NYSE-listed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). Glenn, a colleague I admire, has taken a multifaceted approach to supporting our real estate students by funding scholarships, as well as providing opportunities for our students to attend conferences to learn about real estate markets and network with industry leaders. Glenn also brings it at the personal level. During quarantine, he reached out to our students virtually, connecting with them during difficult times to encourage them and support their goals.

The generosity of Glenn, and so many other FIU Business alumni, makes me incredibly proud to lead this college. I am deeply grateful for your support.

Enjoy this issue of FIU Business Now!

William Hardin,
Interim Dean, FIU College of Business