On Thursday, the University of Miami’s What Matters to U (WMTU) hosted a conversation with actor, comedian, writer and former White House staff member, Kal Penn. During his hour-long conversation, between comedic anecdotes and friendly banter, Penn discussed his acting career, his time in the Obama administration and the importance of diversity and representation in the media.

“We wanted to bring someone who is environmentally conscious and also fits our mission of bringing diverse storytelling, reflection, and engagement,” said Meera Patel, chair of What Matters to U and senior studying microbiology & immunology and public health. “Kal Penn hits so many intersections of social identities that the team and I thought would be best to highlight for our first event.”

With an undergraduate enrollment of about 400 students, the Frost School of Music has numerous musicians who are paving their way to stardom. The ladder to fame is no easy climb, so what are the stories behind these names in light and how did they get to where they are?

When Armando Christian Pérez, commonly known as “Pitbull,” walked out on stage, he was greeted by a roaring crowd of University of Miami students. Over 1,800 students filled the Watsco Center on Tuesday evening to see the superstar rapper and singer of their childhood speak at the What Matters to U (WMTU) event. Throughout the hour of conversation, between song lyrics and nuggets of wisdom, the audience got to know Pitbull’s story; one of passion, ambition and perseverance that all began here in Miami.

Ekaterina Smirnova was sitting in a lecture hall when her phone buzzed with a text message from her father. The text read, “the war has started.”

Two University of Miami School of Law professors have been appointed to serve the Biden administration. Professor Caroline Bettinger-Lopez and Professor John Mark Newman will serve as leaders in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

After a little over a year and a half of mandating masks in indoor public spaces on campus, the University of Miami is ending the mask mandate on campus Tueday, March 1, the school confirmed in an email sent Monday afternoon.

Student government president, Landon Coles, is on mission to leave a lasting legacy of service, inspiration and style.

“As a result of the university’s wastewater sampling efforts, you are required to take a COVID-19 test today, Sept. 9 or tomorrow, Sep. 10, regardless of your vaccination status,” said a message from the UM Office of Student Affairs to Rosborough and McDonald Tower residents.

“Last year I thought that it would have been the most challenging time, but if anything I think we’ll have more challenges this fall than what we could have anticipated,” said Student Government President Landon Coles.