Giano Currie

In 2010 Giano Currie became the first member of his family to come to the U.S. from his homeland in the Republic of Suriname to study. The 20-year-old knew no one in the U.S. and he said his accent made it difficult to make new friends.

Determination has been a driving force in Giano’s success. During his four years at FIU, he has become an inspiration to students, urging them “to do more than go to class and to go beyond the academic status quo.”

At FIU, he joined the American Marketing Association’s collegiate chapter, working with the Miami Marlins to improve the team’s outreach to millennials. Giano soon became the AMA’s director of digital media and later executive vice president. In his senior year, he rose to the position of vice president of professional development and alumni relations.

Giano, 25, credits professor and AMA advisor Tim Birrittella as the mentor who has shown him the importance of hard work and of not giving up.

Defying the challenges often faced by international students to get an internship, Giano connected with Costa Farms at an AMA event and three weeks later was its digital media intern. His final presentation exceeded Costa executives’ expectations and Giano’s internship was extended. After graduation, Giano will stay in the U.S. working