Who We Are
Chaplin School Alumni are transforming the world! You can find our amazing alumni in 102 countries and all 50 states in every sector of the hospitality and tourism industry. From cruise lines to real estate development, mega events, hotel and lodging, our alumni are making a global impact.
Purpose of the Mckibbon gift
John McKibbon, class of 1975, and his wife Letitia are changing the way that alumni are engaging with their alma mater. Through a generous $5 million gift to the Chaplin School, we have been able to enhance alumni outreach, integrate innovative technology into the curriculum, create student scholarships and curate experiences on a global scale.
Meet the Alumni Network Board
The FIU Chaplin School Alumni Network is a vibrant community of graduates dedicated to advancing the mission of Florida International University and the Chaplin School. Through meaningful engagement, scholarship support, student recruitment, and professional networking, we foster lasting connections between alumni, students, and the broader hospitality industry. In partnership with the FIU Alumni Association, we are proud to support the next generation of hospitality leaders while celebrating the success of our global alumni community.
Alumni Signature Events
The Chaplin School’s Alumni Signature Events celebrate the achievements, connections, and continued impact of our global alumni community. From milestone reunions to industry recognition ceremonies, these gatherings foster lifelong relationships between graduates, students, and faculty. Whether honoring professional accomplishments or welcoming new alumni, each event strengthens the bond that unites our FIU Hospitality family across the world.
Every year, Florida International University’s (FIU) Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management awards 18 of their top alumni with the Rising Star Awards during a ceremony on campus. The alumni reunion takes place once a year and celebrates alumni who graduated after the year 2000. The Rising Star Award recognizes alumni who are top in their field in every aspect of the hospitality and tourism industry, from Beverage Management, to Hotel Management to Cruise Management and Restaurant Ownership and Operations. The Rising Star Awards, which started in 2019, also resulted in the school’s first official alumni reunion on campus. FIU Chaplin School grads who are honored and their families gather at the Biscayne Bay Campus.
The Graduation Pinning Ceremony is a proud Chaplin School tradition that honors graduating seniors as they transition from students to alumni. Surrounded by peers, faculty, and family, students receive a signature FIU Chaplin School pin as a symbol of their accomplishments and connection to our global alumni network. This celebratory event reinforces the sense of community and lasting legacy shared by all FIU Hospitality graduates.
Upcoming Alumni Events
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- New tag- Hospitality Alumni events (needs to be created)
- Event feed, potentially used as a web banner (needs to be created)
Career Services and Professional Support
Services offered
(by Career still available post graduation)
- Brief Services Highlight
- Handshake link and careers link
Peoplegrove
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Chaplin Alumni in the News
Additional link to update info for access to the Panther Pulse newsletter
(Information TBD)
- Past 3
- In-page news feed similar to top of Trending Topics
How to get involved
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- Attend an event
- Hire our students
- Volunteer for the hospitality alumni board
- Support the school - link to giving page
- Impact fund
- Stay connected - update info link
- Peoplegrove
Matt Kuscher '00 tells us what it takes to make it big in the industry
Matthew Kuscher '00 began his love affair with the hospitality industry when he was seven years old. He would help his dad at the counter at Dunkin' Donuts. Today, Kuscher is the owner of the powerhouse Kush Hospitality Group, which boasts eight innovative, local restaurants with distinctive Miami-style flavors
Chef Isaac Perlman returns to the head of the class for FIU Panther Alumni Week
On any given day, you can find Chef Isaac Perlman, or Chef IP, as his foodie fans call him, in the kitchen of his restaurant PERL in North Miami Beach. This week is no different, except after 13 years as a professional chef, he’s throwing it back to the “OG,” the original kitchen where he got his college education.