Alumna Includes Alma Mater in Will

Monique Catoggio is planning a gift in her will that will support scholarships for students with an interest in entrepreneurship.

Scholarship Support to Help FIU College of Business Students

Learn. Grow. Explore. FIU continues to provide the kind of environment that allows Monique Reneé Catoggio, EMBA '03, ACC, and CPC, to do just that. Director of Life Well LED Programs and Coaching at FIU's Continuing and Professional Education department, Monique has strong ties to her alma mater, especially the College of Business, where she has spent the majority of her working years at FIU.

It is precisely because of her involvement with the college that she included it in her will through a planned gift of $25,000. The donation will support scholarships for business students who have a minor in entrepreneurship and/or are working on developing a social entrepreneurship business, or have a financial need and a strong interest in being an entrepreneur/social entrepreneur.

"I see myself as a fabric of the college, as one of the individuals who helped bring our alumni back and engage them with their alma mater. I truly appreciate the gift of education and I want to be able to offer that opportunity to students one day," says Monique, who, through FIU Life Well LED, has developed a suite of professional development and coaching programs for professionals and organizations.

"I also have a passion for entrepreneurship, and I want to be sure that we continue to support those students who are passionate builders and creators and can continue to strengthen our community," she says.

Monique's employee history with FIU started in 1999 as an advancement professional overseeing alumni and corporate relations in the newly established marketing and communication department of the College of Business, led then by former Dean Joyce J. Elam.

"It was really an incredible time to come into the College of Business because I had the opportunity to create new initiatives where none existed-those that became staples of the college," Monique says.

These initiatives include the College of Business Alumni Chapter, and Accounting, Real Estate and Jamaica sub-chapters; the Alumni Circle, the college's alumni board; the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame; and the Business Plan Challenge, which Monique later helped craft into the partnership that exists today with the Miami Herald.

Monique recalls her fondest memories at FIU: "It's all of the incredible relationships that I created with our alumni through all of these initiatives. These are relationships that helped me develop into the professional I am today, and these individuals are still very much a part of my life."

Matching Passion to Planned Gift

FIU's entrepreneurial spirit complements Monique's creative strengths as a certified and accredited executive coach in the areas of leadership and well-being. "I love to see people develop and grow into their best selves. I see this passion in our students as well and through my volunteer efforts I love to help them mold their passions into purpose. You have the opportunity to do that, here at FIU," she says.

Monique believes that planned gifts allow individuals to show their commitment to an institution. "It is a wonderful option for those alumni who really want to give and make an impact without the pressure of 'now,'" she says. "If you're willing to write an organization into your will, it must be meaningful for you and you must believe in its mission. Our students are worth it, and our community is worth it, too."

The legacy that Monique desires to leave behind will not only help make FIU students' dreams come true as they receive scholarships through her gift, but will also provide a positive example for her children.

"When I'm no longer on this earth, I want them to be able to find me in many places, and I want one of those places to be FIU, where I know I made a difference. My husband and I want to create the example and opportunity for them to be philanthropic and pay it forward as well," she says.

An engaging speaker and trainer, Monique has worked in public relations, marketing and advancement for nearly 20 years, with a special focus in the nonprofit and education sectors. Prior to joining FIU, she managed various communication, marketing and event functions for the Orange Bowl Stadium, Miami Children's Hospital Foundation and Youth Crime Watch of America.

As an active community member, Monique is the intellectual development advisor for the newly colonized chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at FIU, a United Way women's leader, and a forum facilitator of a group of women CEOs/executives for The Commonwealth Institute. Additionally, she is director of Light Up Learning/The Wonder Academy and board secretary of FOX SunSports' ScubaNation, a TV show of which her husband, Billy "C," is founder, CEO and co-host.

Create Your Legacy

Join Monique Reneé Catoggio in investing in the future of FIU by making a planned gift to the University. Contact us to get started.