Miami Dade College a Finalist for National Excellence Award
Miami, February 7, 2013 - Miami, Feb. 6, 2013– Miami Dade College (MDC) ranked among the top colleges in the U.S. in a prestigious new program designed to recognize innovation and promising practices among two-year institutions. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) established the Awards of Excellence this year, and will continue to do so every year.
MDC stands out among the competition in the Advancing Diversity category. Under the leadership of MDC's President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, MDC has developed a curriculum to highlight and celebrate the rich culture of the community it serves. It has the largest and most diverse student body in the nation. With eight campuses and more than 174,000 students from across the world, the College offers more than 300 programs of studyand several degree options, including vocational, associate, and baccalaureate degrees in hot industries with job growth and expansion potential. MDC features numerous continuing educationand professional development classes, online credit classes through the Virtual College, the New World School of the Arts, The Honors College and many other nationally renowned programs.
"This recognition is truly on behalf of everyone who is part of what we call 'Democracy's College.' Diversity is a cornerstone in everything we do. At MDC, we have proven that diversity, open access and quality can go hand in hand," said Dr. Padrón.
The AACC established the Awards of Excellence to align with key recommendations of the 21st-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges, a blue-ribbon group that issued its findings last spring. Its mission is to elevate community colleges that are at the vanguard of progressive practices. Finalists for the AACC Awards of Excellence were chosen by a specially-appointed committee of the AACC Board of Directors.
The winners in each of the five categories will be named Apr. 23, in San Francisco, during AACC's annual convention. Throughout its history of more than half a century, MDC, its leadership and students have been regularly recognized with national awards and distinctions.
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist
Roxana Romero, 305-237-3366, rromero3@mdc.edu, media specialist
Kai Hill, 305-237-3359, khill1@mdc.edu, media specialist
Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu