Miami Dade College Explained

Miami Dade College
Image Upright:0.8
Former Names:Dade County Junior College (1960–1973)[1]
Miami-Dade Community College (1973–2003)
Motto:Latin: Scientia est potentia (Latin)
Mottoeng:"Knowledge is power"
Type:Public college
Parent:Florida College System
Accreditation:SACS
Endowment:$272.8 million (2024)[2]
Budget:$376.5 million (2024)[3]
President:Madeline Pumariega[4] [5]
Faculty:703 (full-time)[6]
1814 (part-time)
Undergrad:47,245 (fall 2022)
City:Miami
State:Florida
Country:United States
Coordinates:25.7778°N -80.1906°W
Campus:Large city
Colors:Blue and gray
Nickname:Sharks
Sporting Affiliations:NJCAA Region 8Southern Conference
Mascot:Finn the Shark[7]

Miami Dade College (MDC)[8] is a public college located in Miami, Florida. Established in 1959, MDC operates eight campuses and numerous outreach centers throughout Miami-Dade County. It is the largest institution in the Florida College System. MDC serves a significant number of minority students, particularly Hispanic students, enrolling more than any other institution in Florida.[9] [10] [11]

History

Founded as Dade County Junior College in 1960, MDC began on a high school farm and became desegregated in 1962, opening its doors to students of all races.[12] Over the decades, MDC expanded by launching several campuses, including Kendall, Wolfson, and Hialeah, and established a Medical Center to support students in health programs.[13]

In 1973, the college changed its name to Miami-Dade Community College.

During the 1980s, outreach programs were developed to assist the increasing number of Cuban exiles and other immigrants. As state education budgets declined, MDC continued to grow and relied on its foundation to support operations.

In the 1990s and 2000s, the college established its Honors College, offering rigorous academic programs across its largest campuses.[14] In 2000, the college was sanctioned by the American Association of University Professors "for infringement of governance standards".[15]

In 2003, the college changed its name to "Miami Dade College" and began offering four-year degree programs.

Campuses

Miami Dade College operates eight campuses and two outreach centers throughout Miami-Dade County.[16] The North Campus, established in 1960, focuses on emergency services and entertainment technology programs. Kendall Campus, opened in 1967, is home to MDC's athletic teams and offers community service programs.[17] [18] [19] Wolfson Campus, in downtown Miami, hosts the Miami Book Fair and houses the Culinary Institute.[20] [21] The Medical Campus, opened in 1977, offers nursing and health programs with a simulation hospital.[22] [23] [24] Homestead Campus, built in 1990, features an FAA-approved aviation program. Eduardo J. Padrón Campus specializes in bilingual education and community-focused programs. Hialeah Campus offers English programs and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management. West Campus in Doral provides innovative programs like the Tesla START program.

Academics

MDC offers a wide variety of associate and baccalaureate degrees, as well as vocational and technical certificates. The college is known for its strong programs in liberal arts, nursing, business, allied health professions, and computer information systems. Students can also pursue degrees in newer fields like cybersecurity.[25]

The Honors College provides scholarships and specialized curricula for high-achieving students, with opportunities for transfer to prestigious universities, including a partnership with the University of Miami. Dual-enrollment and virtual learning options are available for high school and home-educated students.

Athletics

MDC participates in the Southern Conference of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and competes in five sports: men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball, with soccer teams being added in 2024. MDC teams have won 35 NJCAA national titles, making it a hub for talented athletes and MLB scouts.

Arts and culture

MDC has an extensive art collection of over 1,600 works, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. The Wolfson Campus hosts the Miami Book Fair International, the largest literary festival in the U.S.

Notable achievements

In 2019, MDC was recognized by the Aspen Institute for its focus on economic and social mobility, winning the Aspen Prize.[26] The $1 million prize, awarded every two years, noted MDC's "clear path to economic and social mobility for its students" as well as its demographic diversity.[27] [28] [29]

Notable alumni

See main article: List of Miami Dade College alumni.

Notable faculty

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History of MDC - Miami Dade College . September 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240822152041/https://www.mdc.edu/about/history.aspx . August 22, 2024 .
  2. Marra, Andrew (February 12, 2024). "Two Florida universities have more than $1 billion in endowments to invest on campus". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  3. https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/19874/urlt/2425MiamiDade.xlsx "Annual Budget Summary - Fiscal Year 2024-25 (Miami Dade College)"
  4. Web site: Wright. Colleen. 2020-11-17. Miami Dade College's board unanimously selects Madeline Pumariega as next president. 2020-11-17. Miami Herald.
  5. Mendieta . Juan . Miami Dade College's Board of Trustees Names Madeline Pumariega as Next President . 24 November 2020 . MDC News . November 17, 2020 . Miami, Fla..
  6. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=135717 Miami Dade College
  7. Web site: Finn Wins!. 2022-01-21. MDC News. 10 November 2015 . en-US.
  8. News: Eduardo J. Padrón, the college's president since 1995.. A Community College in Florida Works to Attract the Poor and the Presidential.
  9. Web site: Miami-Dade College (U.S.) . FOTW "Flags of the world" . 22 February 2019.
  10. Padrón . Eduardo J. . Increasing the Relevance of Curricular and Student Services in the Urban Community College . New Directions for Community Colleges . June 2013 . 2013 . 162 . 63–73 . 10.1002/cc.20060 .
  11. News: St. Amour . Madeline . A Community College Reopens. At What Cost? . Inside Higher Ed.
  12. Web site: LINCCWeb Catalog Search. www.linccweb.org. 2020-02-18. subscription.
  13. Web site: Campuses Miami Dade College. www.mdc.edu. 2019-02-20.
  14. Web site: Holloway . Alexandria . 2010-09-16 . Chapter 3: The honors college in a two-year college setting: Miami Dade College.(Part II: Alternative Models) . 2024-04-24 . Appalachian State University.
  15. Web site: July 21, 2006 . Sanctioned Institutions . November 1, 2024 . AAUP .
  16. Web site: Rolando Montoya: Interim college president sees tech courses demand soar. 2019-11-12. Miami Today. en-US. 2019-12-04.
  17. Web site: Campus Information - Kendall Campus Miami Dade College. www.mdc.edu. 2019-02-08.
  18. Web site: Miami Dade College Kendall Campus. mdc.edu.
  19. Web site: Camps at college mean summertime fun, and, yes, some learning. .
  20. Web site: Miami Herald. .
  21. Web site: Programs Miami Culinary Institute Miami Dade College. www.mdc.edu. 2019-10-14.
  22. Web site: Campus Information - Medical Campus Miami Dade College. www.mdc.edu. 2019-02-20.
  23. Web site: Bachelor's Degree Programs Academics Miami Dade College. www.mdc.edu. 2019-02-08.
  24. Web site: Simulation Hospital - Medical Campus Miami Dade College. 2021-02-04. www.mdc.edu.
  25. Web site: Miami Herald. .
  26. Web site: 2019-04-02 . Aspen Institute Recognizes 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Winners . 2024-10-30 . Diverse: Issues In Higher Education . en-us.
  27. Web site: 2019-04-05 . Miami-Dade College awarded 2019 Aspen Prize for Excellence . 2024-10-30 . South Dade News Leader . en.
  28. Web site: admin . 2019-04-05 . Two Florida schools win 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence - Florida College Access Network . 2024-10-30 . floridacollegeaccess.org . en-US.
  29. Web site: 2019-04-02 . Aspen Institute Recognizes 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Winners . 2024-10-30 . Diverse: Issues In Higher Education . en-us.