College President
Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón
Eduardo J. Padrón is the President of Miami Dade College, the largest institution of higher education in America. He is nationally respected for his advocacy for underserved populations in higher education, innovative teaching and learning strategies, and focus on support for student success. Dr. Padrón has received appointments from four American presidents. He serves on many boards, including: the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching; the American Council on Education; the American Association of Colleges and Universities; the League for Innovation; and the Collins Center for Public Policy. In addition, he has served on the Governing Board of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities; the Board of Directors of the U.S. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute; and on advisory councils for former Secretaries of State Cyrus Vance and Ed Muskie and Secretary of Education Shirley Hufstedler. Dr. Padrón was Chair of the Florida Community Colleges Council of Presidents from 1999 to 2000. Several Florida governors have called upon him to serve on important commissions. He is the recipient of numerous national and international awards. He is a prolific writer with several articles and publications to his credit. He is a regular columnist for national and Florida publications. He has received the highest orders of distinction from the governments of Spain, France, Mexico and Argentina for his outstanding leadership and record of commitment to educational opportunity and cultural enrichment. He holds a Doctorate in Economics from the University of Florida and is an alumnus of Miami Dade College.