FIU graduates blaze a trail

FIU will celebrate the graduation of over 5,500 students during spring commencement ceremonies from April 27 to May 1. Among this year’s graduates are exceptional students who are helping shape the future through their bold ideas, relentless dedication, and cutting-edge research.

This year’s graduating class includes trailblazers such as the youngest student ever admitted to FIU Law at just 16 years old; a math student who overcame early academic setbacks — relearning math after low SAT scores — to graduate with a perfect GPA and land a role at Google; and a future family physician who turned personal tragedy into purpose, graduating with top honors and matching at her first-choice residency program.

“Our FIU graduates are inspiring, resilient, and determined,” said FIU Interim President Jeanette Nuñez. “They represent the future, and the future is FIU. Wherever you turn, FIU is making an impact. Our students lead with purpose and passion. Their education has prepared them to achieve success, lead with integrity, and exhibit excellence. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished and are certain they will soar to new heights.”
 
All commencement ceremonies will be held at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, located at FIU’s Modesto Maidique Campus at 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, 33199.
 
FIU’s outstanding graduates include:

Karina Keifitz, 16, is graduating from FIU’s College of Arts, Sciences & Education. Keifitz is FIU's youngest graduate this spring – and she’s not slowing down. Driven by a deep curiosity about the human mind and a commitment to justice, she pursued a degree in psychology that bridges her passion for understanding behavior with her dream of practicing law. After earning her associate degree at Broward College, she quickly transitioned to FIU, where she thrived in legal psychology courses and balanced work, mentorship, and academic excellence. Inspired by shows like “Criminal Minds” and a desire to make a difference, she’ll begin her next chapter at FIU Law. Keifitz will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the College of Arts, Sciences & Education on Sunday, April 27, at 11 a.m.
 
Jordan Dawson, 21, is graduating from FIU’s College of Arts, Sciences & Education. Dawson grew up on a 24-square-mile island in the British Virgin Islands. In 2017, two Category 5 hurricanes impacted his home, destroyed his school, and devastated his country. As he prepared to pursue higher studies, he found his math education was grossly behind, but he was determined to relearn the material. As a result, he raised his math SAT score by nearly 500 points — jumping from the 50th percentile to the 99th. He was proud to have been accepted at FIU, where he earned his degree in mathematics, earned a 4.0 GPA and served as President of the Association of Latino Professionals for America. Dawson is now one of only 45 students worldwide selected for Google’s prestigious Associate Product Manager program. Dawson will receive his Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the College of Arts, Sciences & Education on Sunday, April 27, at 11 a.m.
 
Roshni Bisoondial, 28, is graduating from FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Her family fled political instability in Guyana when she was 3 years old. Inspired by the doctors who cared for her newborn sister as she fought for her life, Bisoondial knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine. As a first-generation medical student, she excelled — mentoring peers, serving at a free clinic, and editing the student research journal, among other accomplishments. In her final year, tragedy struck: her mother was killed in a car accident, and her father was critically injured. Overnight, she became the head of her household. Despite the devastating loss, she persevered and is graduating among the top students in her class, earning multiple honors, and securing her first-choice residency in family medicine at Northwell Health. Bisoondial will graduate with a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine on Thursday, May 1, at 10 a.m.
 
FIU Board of Trustees chair Rogelio Tovar will speak at the 11 a.m. ceremony on Sunday, April 27 and at the 10 a.m. ceremony on Thursday, May 1. FIU Trustee Alan Gonzalez will speak at the 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. ceremonies on Monday, April 28. FIU Trustee Chanel T. Rowe will speak at the 10 a.m. ceremony on Wednesday, April 30.
 
Dr. Herbert A. Wertheim, chairman & CEO of Brain Power Incorporated, FIU trustee emeritus, and founding chairman of the FIU medical school named for him, also will speak at the Thursday ceremony.
 
Video clips and photos for media use will be uploaded to this folder, which will continue to be updated throughout commencement with new images and videos.