A Tribute to Bold Leadership
FIU’s Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Legacy Project and Fellowship Program honors the career of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, an unparalleled trailblazer who left a lasting impact on Florida and the world beyond it. She embodies the bold energy, principled leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to global leadership that represents her alma mater.
The innovative Fellowship Program recognizes that more must be done to ensure our hometown’s future leadership is well prepared to face the realities of our national challenges, economic trends and global dynamics. With your support, we can provide new leadership opportunities for students seeking to make an impact on the world and further the legacy of Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen.
A Champion of Florida’s Future
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen began her storied career as an educator before being elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1982, becoming the first Hispanic woman elected to the Florida state legislature.
Her passion for education helped her recognize the immense potential of a college degree. She was the original sponsor of Stanley G. Tate’s Florida Prepaid College Program, opening the door for more than one million families to send their children to college in the past 35 years.
Following a historic election to Congress when she became the first Hispanic woman and first Cuban-American elected to Congress, she immediately set out to leave a lasting impact.
A tireless environmental advocate, she worked to preserve Florida’s delicate ecosystem. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen played a key role in cleaning the Miami River, preventing oil drilling off Florida’s coast and helping establish the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary.
Her impact has has been felt by individuals in Florida and around the world. Her relationships across the aisle and the globe have made a difference in protecting human rights across the Americas and the Middle East.
"No matter where you are from, no matter what your background is, no matter what your socioeconomic status is, every person can achieve their dreams.
A Career of Firsts
Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen’s stature as a public servant in Miami, Tallahassee, Washington, D.C. and across the globe is unparalleled.
First Hispanic woman:
- Elected to the Florida House
- Elected to the Florida Senate
- Elected to the U.S. Congress
First woman and Hispanic:
- Selected Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
- Selected to Chair of a standing committee
FIU Ros-Lehtinen Congressional Fellowship
During her time on Capitol Hill, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen mentored thousands of student interns. She recognized the power of preparing future generations while driving change in the present. Her legacy continues through a transformative fellowship designed to develop tomorrow’s leaders.
In honor of her work, FIU will select leadership fellows for a paid, one-semester internship in Washington, D.C., working with Members of Congress, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Ros-Lehtinen Research Scholar and Legacy Collection
Before retiring, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen donated a collection of personal photographs spanning four decades of history, culture and politics. This collection serves as the foundation of an exhibit and archive highlighting her distinguished career.
Every year, a twelve-month Research Scholar Fellowship will be awarded to an FIU student in the Digital Humanities to catalog and organize Ros-Lehtinen’s historical collection.
Training the Leaders of the Future
Support the Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Legacy Project and Fellowship Program and help shape the next generation of leaders in Washington D.C.