February 2010, Volume 14, Number 1

Features


TIME names MDC president one of top 10

Time magazine named Miami Dade College President Dr.Eduardo J. Padrón as one of the top 10 presidents in higher education, placing him in the company of the presidents of Tulane, NYU and Ohio State University.

Since he became president of MDC in 1995, Padrón has "helped revolutionize the role of the two-year community college in the U.S., raising their academic stature while preserving their mission to teach underserved populations," Tim Padgett writes in "The 10 Best College Presidents."

Innovation and creativity are the muscles that will drive success, and now, more than ever, college and university presidents are on the front lines. Institutions of higher education are the "key to the next American century."

Padrón and the nine other presidents recognized by Time magazine see the far-reaching implications of their work, and each has demonstrated a commitment to providing a quality, accessible college education to hundreds of thousands of students.

Padrón, who was recently honored at a reception held at the Freedom Tower by Governor Charlie Crist and the Board of Trustees, shares the recognition.

"It’s a tremendous honor for which I am very grateful. But it speaks as much to the greatness of Miami Dade College," Padrón said. "This institution is a one-of-a-kind phenomenon, changing lives every single day."

In addition, attendees at the reception paid tribute to him for his work as chair of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), the leading national association committed to advancing and improving liberal education for all students.

MDC is today the largest institution of higher education in the country, with more than 170,000 students. The College, under Padrón’s direction, also launched a pioneering honors program, offers four-year degrees and graduates more minorities than any other college in the country.

The Time magazine story was one of a series of national news reports to laud Padrón and MDC. Recently, Padrón was featured on CNN en Español, MSNBC, NPR and the New York Times, among other national news outlets.

— Staff Report


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