Rate My Professor Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio served as a visiting professor at Florida International University's Metropolitan Center within the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs, teaching in the Political Science faculty. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in 1993 and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami in 1996. Rubio instructed undergraduate political science courses at FIU, including 'Florida Politics' during summer 2011 co-taught with Dario Moreno, regular classes in 2012 on Mondays and Fridays, twice-weekly sessions in 2015, and online courses in 2016. These classes provided students with direct exposure to practical political analysis and Florida governance from a seasoned practitioner's viewpoint. As an adjunct professor from June 2008 to May 2010, he contributed to the Department of Politics & International Relations' offerings, blending academic instruction with real-world policy experience.

Rubio's career history includes significant appointments in public service that informed his teaching. He represented District 111 in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008, advancing through roles as Majority Whip, Majority Leader, and Speaker of the House from 2006 to 2008. In these positions, he advocated for lower taxes, better schools, leaner government, and free market empowerment. Rubio hosted 'Idearaisers' events to gather innovative policy ideas from Floridians, resulting in the publication of '100 Innovative Ideas for Florida's Future,' with 57 ideas enacted into law. After leaving the legislature due to term limits, he resumed his law practice as a sole practitioner, served as Florida Chairman of GOPAC, and worked as a political analyst for Univision during the 2008 election cycle. Elected to the United States Senate in 2010 to represent Florida, Rubio was also a senior fellow at FIU's Steven J. Green School. His teaching roles, committee leadership in the legislature, and policy compilation demonstrate his impact bridging academia and politics.