What do you find most rewarding about mentoring students in a fully online, globally connected learning environment?
Beruvides: For many professionals, pursuing a graduate degree used to mean rushing from work to campus. Online learning changes that. It gives people a viable, flexible option to advance their skills while continuing their careers. What excites me most is seeing students take advantage of that opportunity—gaining the latest knowledge in technical management, systems engineering, and engineering management while still managing their professional responsibilities. Watching students grow through that process is incredibly rewarding.
What makes this program unique? Why choose the University of Miami for this degree?
Beruvides: There are many strong engineering management programs out there, but ours stands out for two reasons: a powerful blend of technical management with a strong systems theory foundation, and the culture of the University of Miami. I say that as a double Cane—I earned both my undergraduate and master's degrees here before completing my doctorate and spending 30 years teaching elsewhere. When I returned, I found the culture unchanged: students become family. Faculty and staff genuinely care, and that sense of support is built into the program.
What advice do you give students about staying motivated and successful in an online format?
Beruvides: Be a professional. Treat your coursework the same way you treat your projects at work: scope them, break them down, tackle them step by step, and stay focused. Hard work is essential, and there's no substitute for disciplined effort. At the same time, remember we are here to help you—email us, call us, ask questions. Your success is a shared process.
How do you incorporate real-world projects and industry insights into your teaching?
Beruvides: It starts with the faculty. Many of us spent years in industry before returning to academia; others have built and sold companies or held senior leadership roles. We bring that experience directly into the classroom. Students work on real case studies, real challenges, and often on projects tied to their own workplaces. We combine sound theory with hands-on application so students develop skills they can use immediately.
How does UOnline redefine what's possible in online education?
Beruvides: For us, it's about the approach. We are deeply student-focused and committed to continuous improvement. That mindset comes from the fields of engineering and technical management—quality is built on iteration, feedback, and refinement. We evaluate what works, adjust what doesn't, and consistently raise the bar. Students see that in the way we teach and support them.
What kinds of results are you seeing from students so far?
Beruvides: While the program is relatively new, the patterns are familiar from decades of experience in distance education. Students grow technically, professionally, and personally. They enhance their knowledge, strengthen their professional presence, and learn to apply both theory and practice. Over the years, I've seen that online students perform just as well as on-campus students—often better.
If you had to describe UOnline in three words, what would they be?
Beruvides: Professional, state-of-the-art, and personal. You're supported by a highly professional team across the university. You're learning from a program that is continually updated with the latest tools and approaches. And you're joining a community that cares—once you become a Hurricane, you're a Hurricane for life.
What's one myth about online education you'd like to debunk?
Beruvides: The myth that online education isn't as good as on-campus learning. It's simply not true. After nearly 30 years in distance education, I can confidently say that online students are every bit as strong—and often outperform their campus peers. Your diploma will say "University of Miami," and your preparation will match the university's high standards.
Learn more about the online Master of Science in Systems and Engineering Management. Apply anytime with rolling admissions. Our enrollment advisors will guide you in selecting the class start term that is right for you.
