And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been. -Rainer Maria Rilke
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERS I TY
JANUARY 2019
PANTHERS ENGAGED
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT Page 2
IN THIS ISSUE
MAXIMIZE YOUR COLLEGE
SUCCESS Page 4
HOW TO BECOME A
PEER MENTOR Page 5
IMPORTANT DATES Page 3
PAGE 2
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and
the Victim Empowerment Program (VEP) provide free
and confidential mental health and crisis intervention
counseling to all FIU students. Group therapy is the
most common option for students, although we also
offer individual, couples and online therapy focusing
on all kinds of mental health issues. The Victim Em-
powerment Program is a specialized unit consisting
of advocate counselors that assist students who
have been victims of all crimes, primarily sexual as-
sault, dating/domestic violence and stalking. The
counselors can provide advocacy and accompani-
ment upon the request of the client. They can help
students with things such as dropping a class, registration conflicts, filing a student conduct complain as well
as going to court, visiting the Rape Treatment Center and providing other available options.
The Counseling Center also offers several options for online self-help for our student population. Our most
popular one is the Therapy Assistance Online (TAO), which is an online platform of tools and educational
materials to help you learn, and change how you think and feel. Along with the educational component,
there is an option to meet every week online with your therapist in a brief video conference. Kognito is one
of our newer, most innovative offerings. It is an online simulation software that helps you prepare for having
difficult conversations. You can give it a try at fiu.kognito.com. Check out our Online Self-Help portal to find
other useful resources such as screenings, quizzes and podcasts.
The center also offers a software called Heartmath that can help reduce your stress and anxiety with easy
guided breathing exercises. Visit our office today in the Student Health Center room 270, and try it for free
without making an appointment! CAPS also has the Body Acceptance Program (BAP), which assists students
struggling with body image and/or eating concerns. In this program, students can also receive help from not
only our mental health professional, but also from a registered dietician and a medical doctor that are also
located in the Student Health Center.
If you are someone that is passionate about Mental Health, then you might have an interest in the Peer Edu-
cation Program and our Kiwi the Alien Campaign! College can make you feel like an alien, and we can help
you adjust to the Panther Galaxy! The Peer Education Program consists of a group of students that are part of
an on-going effort to raise awareness and reduce the mental health stigma around the FIU community by
educating others on Mental Health and Victimization. If this is something you think you might have an interest
in, go visit our website at vep.fiu.edu for more information!
PAGE 3
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SPRING 2019
F I R S T D A Y O F C L A S S
1.7.19
L A S T D A Y T O A D D / D R O P 1.14.19
M A R T I N L U T H E R K I N G H O L I D A Y
1.21.19
S P R I N G B R E A K
3.11.19 — 3.16.19
L A S T D A Y T O D R O P W I T H A D R G R A D E
3.18.19
F I N A L W E E K O F S E M E S T E R
4.22.19 — 4.27.19
G R A D E S P O S T E D
5.2.19
Maximize Your College Success The Center for Student Engagement offers Academic Planning and Preparation (APP)
Workshops and Exploratory Panels that help you learn about college success. These
events are open to all students, are free, and do not require advanced registration!
PAGE 4
PAGE 5
The Peer Mentor Program The Peer Mentor program is for students who want to be FIU student leaders
by assisting SLS instructors throughout the length of the course. Peer Mentors
guide fellow peers throughout their first semester of college and are a great
resource for students in and outside of the classroom. Peer Mentors have the
opportunity to lead group activities and discussions during the SLS course
and establish special bonds with the students and instructor.
Requirements:
• Current undergraduate student
• Complete one year or more at FIU
• 2.5 GPA or above
How to Apply:
• Panther Connect
• Recommendation Form (completed by
an FIU faculty/staff member)
• Interviews will be scheduled via e-mail
Applications will open February 20, 2019
Vi s i t go. f iu .edu/peermentor fo r more informat ion and
emai l peermentor@f iu .edu wi th any quest ions .