Sigma Phi Epsilon - Florida International University

page 2 the Florida nus Alumni Dedicate Time to Fraternity, University (Continued from page 1) The AVC has worked closely with the current undergraduate Executive Board to advise brothers on chapter operations, improve cooperation with the AVC, and establish a mentorship program. If you or any brother—they do not necessarily have to be a Florida Nu member—are interested in serving as a mentor for an undergraduate, please contact Chapter Counselor Sean Gazitua '03 at sgazitua@wtdc.com.   The AVC is also proud to announce that Brother Alex Zarut '03 has agreed to serve as Vice President for Brother Development. Alex served in that role as an undergraduate in 2002. He relocated to South Florida after spending three years living and working in Washington, D.C. Alex's primary role will be to advise the undergraduate Vice President of Development, which includes evaluating and enforcing chapter development programs and overseeing ritual. We appreciate his willingness to support our chapter.   Florida Nu brothers are also giving back to Florida International University. Our institution's Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD) now has six Florida Nu brothers serving on it. JC Alexander '04 and Ben Sardiñas '90 were inducted as members in late May. They join AABOD Vice President Frank Peña '98, Parliamentarian Eddie Hondal '88, Ralph Rosado '96, and I as representatives of the governing body for more than 20,000 members of the FIU Alumni Association. Sean Gazitua also recently joined Executive Board President Caio Muharram '14 / São Paulo, Brazil president.flnu@gmail.com Vice President of Programming Ciro Trombetta '14 / Orlando, Fla. Vice President of Development Rey Valdes '13 / Miami, Fla. Vice President of Finance Adrien Van Poperinghe '14 / Paris, France Vice President of Recruitment Andres Hermida '15 / Caracas, Venezuela aherm006@fiu.edu Vice President of Communications Robert Behar '13 / Miami, Fla. Chaplain Robert Coen '14 / San Jose, Costa Rica R the President's Council, the university's most prestigious community outreach board. Enclosed you will find a story on Brother Ralph Rosado '96. A man of impeccable character and integrity, Ralph is working to be elected commissioner for District 4 in the City of Miami. We hope that he will be successful.   As always, should you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact me. Fraternally, Michael A. Hernández '04 m_hernandez9282@yahoo.com Florida Nu Offers Real Leadership Experience alph Rosado '96 believes being a member of SigEp helped him with his career in politics by providing opportunities for leadership, which helped him develop as an adult. He serves as the executive director of the South Florida Community Development Coalition. "I was a shy high school student, and SigEp immediately offered me leadership roles," says Ralph. As an undergraduate Ralph served as Vice President. He believes that this role specifically prepared him for life after graduation. "In your courses you learn subject matter. In the other activities that you participate in during college, you learn and practice your soft skills," Ralph says. "This includes leading and managing people and motivating them to work toward a common goal. That is the essence of any profession." Ralph was also involved in student government, which led to his first job after college as the Assistant to the Mayor of the City of Sweetwater. After that role he served as a consultant to a number of cities, and now he is a candidate for Miami City Commission. "My career has focused on projects aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods and cities—both place-based projects like roadway improvements, streetscapes, economic development master plans, and people-based projects like reducing domestic violence, providing needy children with after-school care," Ralph says. "Without a doubt, what I enjoy is helping people, giving folks a hand-up." His advice to undergraduate members is to take a chance while they have the opportunity in school. "This is the ideal time to do something that's a little risky—study abroad, run for student government, ask someone out. Part of being a SigEp is earning the confidence to do something that scares you a little—or a lot. You won't regret it." Even with his busy career Ralph stays connected with the University by serving on the board of directors for the alumni association. "My involvement with the city and university continue to be important to me this day. It makes me happy to see that the city and FIU have developed a towngown relationship over the past few years," says Ralph. The Executive Board at the Carlson Leadership Academy in Atlanta: Andres Hermida '15, Ciro Trombetta '14, Caio Muharram '14, Robert Coen '14, Rey Valdez '13, and Robert Behar '13. Ralph lives in Miami, Florida, with his wife, Mari, and their children: Mia, Matias, and Marcel. He enjoys keeping in touch with his fraternity brothers regularly. E-mail: ralphr@southfloridacdc.org

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