Albizu University alumni Johana Dueñas, M.S. and Seth Grossman, Psy.D were honored at the University’s Alumni Network and Recognition Program Ceremony on Thursday, February 20, in the Undergraduate Wing of the Main Campus in Doral. This prestigious recognition is presented to high-level professionals who graduated from Albizu University and is one of several new initiatives that the rebranded Alumni Network, formerly named Alumni Association, is promoting in order to energize alumni recognition and encourage alma mater pride among former students who have distinguished themselves in their careers and made contributions to the community.
(Photos courtesy of Albizu University)
Albizu University Alumni Johana Dueñas, M.S. and Seth Grossman, Psy.D
“It was a memorable evening and we were delighted to launch the Alumni Network and Recognition program while interacting with such a large number of alumni,” said Dr. Tilokie Depoo, chancellor of the Miami Campus. “This network will be the mechanism for alumni to be connected with their alma mater and contribute to educating the next generation of students. The program will provide them with wonderful networking opportunities for both professional and personal development,” added Dr. Depoo.
Johana Dueñas, M.S.; Albizu University Interim Chair of the Alumni Network Luna Otero; Albizu University Chancellor of the Miami Campus Dr. Tilokie Depoo; Seth Grossman, Psy.D
A proud Latina and third generation of her family to graduate from college, Johana Dueñas earned her B.S. degree in Psychology from Albizu University in 2005. Three years later, she obtained her M.S degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, graduating with honors and receiving the Distinguished Student of the Year Award whilefull-time as a Program Coordinator and Substance Abuse Specialist at Recapturing the Vision International – a non-profit organization that helps at-risk youngsters improve their lives at school, home and in their communities. In 2010, Dueñas received the South Florida Business Journal Excellence in Human Resources Award. Dueñas currently serves as Corporate Human Resources Director at AlphaStaff, where she assists business owners with organizational and leadership development, talent management, and team building efforts. Throughout her career, Dueñas has never forgotten her Alma Mater, serving as mentor to several students and alumni at Albizu University and helping them find internships and employment opportunities at the companies where she served as HR Director or Manager. Dueñas, a resident of Doral, is also involved in social service projects and volunteers at several non-profits serving vulnerable populations.
Johana Dueñas, M.S.
Four years after graduating from Syracuse University in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Visual and Performing Arts, Dr. Seth Grossman switched careers and earned his M.S. degree in Psychology from Albizu University. Moving to South Florida’s rich cultural community helped Dr. Grossman expand his ideas and world view. Two years later, Dr. Grossman earned his doctoral degree, also from Albizu, in Clinical Psychology. A licensed psychologist in the State of Florida, Dr. Grossman is also the founder and clinical director of the Center for Psychological Fitness in Cooper City and a staff psychologist at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. He is a former pupil of world-renowned psychologist and personality disorders expert Dr. Theodore Millon and has co-authored several books, scientific articles and personality tests with his late mentor. Dr. Grossman, a resident of Fort Lauderdale, has also been a guest lecturer on personality and clinical assessment at several universities and at professional gatherings nationally and internationally.
Seth Grossman, Psy.D
Albizu University has more than 9,000 graduates who promote the institution around the world. The Alumni Network, which is governed by a volunteer board of directors, is the oldest organization on campus not directly related to academics. The member-based, nonprofit organization promotes the University and engages alumni through its programs which include a website, an institutional newsletter (Universitatis), free continuing education workshops, scholarships, meetings and activities, and travel opportunities.
All Albizu University Alumni are invited to join the Alumni Network and help the organization grow by registering here: albizu.edu/Alumni/Update-
About Albizu University:
Proud of its roots and commitment to excellence in program offerings, Albizu University is a private, non-profit institution of higher learning with campuses in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Miami, Florida. It is the only regionally accredited secular university in the continental United States, named in honor of distinguished Puerto Rican psychologist Dr. Carlos Albizu-Miranda. To date, over 9,000 graduates call Albizu University their alma mater—a university that prides itself in educating culturally competent individuals capable of serving the diverse populations of our global community. Albizu University offers exciting and challenging programs in psychology, education, speech-language therapy and pathology, human services, ESOL, and criminal justice, taught by a diverse, expert faculty to more than 2,000 students on two campuses. With more than 65 countries represented in its student body, the university thrives in a modern facility in Miami and in the heart of Old San Juan. For more information, visit albizu.edu.
