Christopher Rodriguez Barake
Sr. Coordinator of Academic Support Services | Adjunct Faculty
crodri@fiu.edu
305-348-6648

Christopher Rodriguez Barake oversees internships, accreditation, data input, collection, and analysis. He is tasked with managing Student Success Pathways: admissions, recruitment and retention for the Department of Art + Art History as well as creating exhibition opportunities for students, and maintaining community and alumni relationships.

He has a Master of Fine Arts in Curatorial Practice from FIU; Thesis on Alternative Spaces, Cultural Production and the coalescence of Art + Industry. His previous body of research was in Latin American and Caribbean Contemporary Art with an emphasis on Brazil. He is a proud Golden Panther, having earned both his Bachelors of Arts, and Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies at FIU.

Theodore “Theo” Rivero
Temporary Office Specialist
thrivero@fiu.edu
305-348-7819

Theodore Rivero is a multi-media artist with experience in digital illustration, 2D animation, and film. After years of being self-taught, he attended Florida International University and earned a Bachelor of Arts and an Art History minor in 2022. Since then, he has been a freelance artist specializing in digital art since 2018 and is currently focusing on concept art and tattoo work.

He is currently working as an Office Specialist in the Art + Art History Department.

Maida Purdy
Academic Advisor III
maida.purdy@fiu.edu
305-348-7500
Office: PCA 274

Maida has a true passion to change students’ lives through education and has devoted herself to teaching and advising. She joined FIU in May 2011 as an academic advisor for the College of Undergraduate Education and became part of the CARTA family in the year 2013. She currently advises Art + Art History students.

Prior to FIU, Maida worked at Miami Dade College for three years where she began her advising career in Advisement and Career Services. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Havana: A Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a Master’s degree in Tourism and Marketing.

Lauren Gentile
Academic Advisor II
lgentile@fiu.edu
305-348-7500
Office: PCA 274

Lauren began her career at FIU in 2018 as an academic advisor for Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Previously, she was employed at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami for seven years as an academic support advisor.

She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida and her Master’s of Education Degree in School Counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University.

Daniel Bernard
Lab Manager
dabernar@fiu.edu
305-348-4060

Daniel Bernard earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts with an emphasis in digital mixed media from The California Institute of the Arts. After CalArts, Daniel completed a trade program in Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technologies. For the past five years Daniel has worked in various Commercial, Industrial, and Residential HVAC and Refrigeration projects including, new construction and retrofit installations for banks and medical facilities, the installation of duct systems and building automation sensors and peripherals, as well as troubleshooting and servicing critical refrigeration units for pharmacies, grocery stores, and restaurants.

Daniel is currently working on a second bachelor’s degree in FIU’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and is majoring in Internet of Things.

Alexander Pantin
Digital Arts Lab Manager
apantin@fiu.edu
305-348-6730

Alexander Pantin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from University of Miami in Miami, FL. He is currently pursuing a second Bachelor of Arts in Animation at Lynn University. He has over 8 years of experience in customer service. Prior to joining the Art + Art History Department, he worked at West Dade Community Services, a social service non-profit.

He is currently working as the Digital Art Lab Manager and is responsible for the management of the lab and 3D Printing Room. The lab is capable of digital fabrication, 3d printing, laser cutting, 3d scanning, digital imaging, and video.

Ana Rosado
Student Office Assistant

Ana Rosado is the Student Office Assistant for the Art + Art History Department.

She is an undergraduate student pursuing a BA in Art History at FIU. Ana has over 3 years of customer service experience and a lifelong passion for the world of art.