Eduardo J. Padrón
President
Office of the President
300 N.E. Second Avenue
Miami, Florida 33132-2297
305-237-3316
epadron@mdc.edu
Message From the President
Friday, October 19, 2007
Learning Outcomes Covenant Signing Ceremony
Today marks a special day in the history of the College as we take a major step toward preparing MDC graduates for success and lifelong learning.
At 10:30 this morning, faculty and student leaders will join in signing a groundbreaking Learning Outcomes Covenant, pledging themselves to "the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes that foster effective citizenship and lifelong learning."
Joining me in bearing witness to this covenant will be Dr. Norma Goonen, Provost for Academic and Student Affairs; Ms. Helen Aguirre Ferre, Chair, MDC Board of Trustees; and Mr. Barry Johnson, President, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. The Honorable Sara Martinez Tucker, Under Secretary of Education, will also be in attendance and offer remarks on this special occasion.
This event represents the pinnacle of a two-year project, through which the College consulted with students, faculty, business and industry leaders, and education experts to determine the skills and abilities that comprise MDC's Learning Outcomes, essential in today's global marketplace.
Miami Dade College's Learning Outcomes initiative is geared toward the development of broad liberal knowledge, and toward a foundation of not only success in a given field, but also effective communication skills, civic and social responsibility, creative and aesthetic appreciation, among MDC's ten learning outcome competencies. In addition, faculty throughout the disciplines are developing specific learning outcomes and creative assessment methodologies, while our student affairs professionals are implementing co-curricular activities that present and reinforce these outcomes.
As members of the MDC family, we should all take pride in our role in leading a national trend in higher education to assure accountability and to demonstrate student success.
Thank you to MDC's faculty, who by their continued dedication have made this project possible. Additional thanks are due to Dr. Norma Goonen, Provost for Academic and Student Affairs; the Academic Leadership Council; the Learning Outcomes Coordinating Council; the student deans and the many support professionals who have contributed to this project; and of course, our wonderful students. I would also like to thank the business community and alumni for their involvement in this far-reaching project, which will touch students the minute they enroll in MDC and will continue to be integral to their experience through the completion of their degrees and beyond.
Thank you.
Eduardo