Florida National University’s president and CEO, Dr. Maria Cristina Regueiro, is situated in Hialeah, Florida, in the United States. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the City University of New York in 1973, a Middle Management Certificate from the University of Miami in 1978, and a Postgraduate degree from the University of Miami in 1980. She served as the vice chairman of the Florida Employers Advisory Council in Hialeah in 1997 as a member of the Miami Northwestern High School advisory board from 1995 to 1996. She has been involved with Women for Human Rights, Inc. in Miami since 1994, and the Alliance for Career Education in Dade County, Florida, since 1989.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Dr. Maria Cristina Regueiro:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
Passion for Education and helping to educate students. Providing students an opportunity to obtain a higher education in their selected career.
Inside the workplace:
A leader, a boss, and a mentor.
Outside the workplace:
A sister, a sister-in-law, an aunt, and a great-aunt to my nephew’s children.
Describe your background and what did you do before you started/joined the company?
We are originally from Cuba. My husband, the late Dr. Jose “Pepe” Regueiro, was a dentist in Cuba and a political prisoner for 12 years fighting against communism. When Pepe came to this country, he wanted to teach and share his knowledge with others. I, on the other hand, went to CCNY and became an Electrical Engineer. During the evenings, I used to teach. We shared a love and passion for education and a desire to share with others the acquired knowledge.
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
My beloved and I, along with a business partner, founded Florida National University (FU). FNU is the first, and only university in the City of Hialeah. This year we are celebrating 40 years of helping to educate the community.
Please visit https://www.fnu.edu/fnu-history/ for more details about FNU’s history.
What has made you successful?
- Determination
- Commitment
- Perseverance
What do you value?
Integrity, commitment, transparency, humility, and friendship.
Which are the major services of the company and how do the company to get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide?
FNU provides higher education. FNU offers Associate, Bachelor, and Master’s Degrees. Value-added services provided include commitment and service to the community. For more detailed information, please visit fnu.edu.
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture?
Its mission and its fulfillment are what will guide the company’s employees towards the goals to be achieved.
https://www.fnu.edu/mission-statement/
What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture?
The principles we believe in are depicted in the institutional mission and philosophy. As an institution of higher learning, we work as a team to provide our students with excellence in education.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
The ability to bring new programs to our students that will help them obtain a better understanding of their role and obtain a better place in the workforce.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes?
Team processes allow organizations to grow and create a successful work environment conducive to success.
What are your responsibilities as the CEO/Founder/President/Director of the company?
Implement and adhere to the mission of the organization and the policies implemented by the Board of Governors.
What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
Mingling with my coworkers and students.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
Listen to your team, the coworkers, and interact with them with an open mind.
