Miami Dade College

Today, we celebrated nearly 500 students who will be soon graduating from the Benjamín León Jr. School of Nursing.    They will be stepping into a field that needs them now more than ever. MDC graduates 1 in every 2 nurses in Miami‑Dade County, preparing them for high‑demand, good‑paying careers in healthcare and positioning them to make an immediate impact.    At a time when the U.S. faces nearly 190,000 nursing openings each year and an ongoing national shortage, our graduates are helping strengthen the healthcare workforce where it’s needed most.    We’re grateful to Dr. Barbara Sharif, state senator and nurse, for delivering an inspiring keynote and reminding our graduates of the power, responsibility, and heart behind this profession.

Congratulations to @MDC_DeanSOE on being named a Rising Star Award recipient by the American Association of Community Colleges. As Dean of Miami Dade College’s School of Education, Carmen is doing what great leaders do turning vision into action and building real pathways into the teaching profession. Under her leadership, we’ve expanded apprenticeships that get future teachers into classrooms faster, created new entry points for career changers, strengthened our partnerships , and invested in continuous learning for educators, including the use of AI to better support today’s students. Her work is grounded in something simple but powerful: if we want better outcomes for students, we must invest in the people in front of the classroom. This recognition reflects her leadership, her impact, and her commitment to the future of education. Proud of Carmen and proud to see MDC represented on the national stage.

Aaron, Joel, and Josh Escobar are three brothers who share more than a last name, they share a journey that began with a leap of faith they took together: earning their GEDs and enrolling at Miami Dade College, side by side. For the Escobar brothers, MDC quickly became more than a campus. It was a place where they felt supported, encouraged, and seen. They commuted together, took the same classes, and pushed each other to keep going. From early mornings to late-night study sessions, that shared commitment became their greatest source of strength. This spring, their shared journey comes full circle as all three walk across the commencement stage together. And the legacy continues,Yosef, their youngest brother is already following in their footsteps as a current MDC student.

We’re proud to share that MDC has been recognized on the national stage at the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Awards of Excellence, the highest honors in our field. MDC was named the #1 college in the nation for Student Success, selected from more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide. We also had individual award recognition for our outstanding faculty, staff, and alumni who are a vital part of our MDC family: 🏆 Jorge Plasencia, Foundation Board Chair, Alumni of the Year Awardee 👩🏽‍🔬 M. Nia Madison, Ph.D., 2026 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Awardee 👩🏼‍🏫 Dr. Carmen S. Concepción, Dean, School of Education, Rising Star Awardee 🧠 Dr. Kimberly Coffman, Finalist, Faculty Innovation 🤖 Dr. Ernesto Lee, Finalist, Faculty Member of the Year ⭐ Roberto Alonso, Finalist, Trustee of the Year In total, four national wins and seven finalist nominations, a powerful reflection of the excellence happening across our college. These are among the most respected recognitions in community college education, honoring institutions and individuals who are driving real impact nationwide. But this moment is bigger than any single award or honoree; it represents the collective effort of our faculty, staff, and leaders, working every day to advance student success. This recognition belongs to all of us. Congratulations, Sharks! 🦈

Proud to represent the @FLCollegeSystem on the national stage during #FloridaCollegeSystemMonth. MDC is at the American Association of Community College Annual Conference with finalists in Faculty Innovation, Student Success, Rising Star – Manager, Faculty Member of the Year, and Trustee of the Year. FL is #1 in the nation for higher ed, and we’re showing up strong at AACC to help prove why.

Congratulations to MDC Board of Trustees Vice‑Chair and Alum @RobertoAlonsoFL on being named a finalist for Trustee of the Year by the American Association of Community Colleges. As a Trustee, Robert has been a tireless champion for student success and innovation. His leadership has helped advance MDC’s work in AI and entrepreneurship, strengthen our Construction & Trades Institute, and elevate our aerospace and aviation programs. As a @MDCPS Board Member, Robert is a driving force behind strengthening K–12 to MDC pathways to help us ensure that students move seamlessly from high school into college and on to successful careers across MDC’s workforce and academic programs. We are grateful for his vision, advocacy, and unwavering support of MDC’s mission. Congrats Robert! 👏

A proud moment for our Miami Dade College family. Congratulations to our MDC Foundation Board Chair, @jorgeplasencia, on receiving the Outstanding Alumni Award from the @Comm_College at its Annual Conference. Jorge represents the very best of what it means to be an MDC alumnus leading with purpose, investing in others, and giving back in ways that transform lives. From his leadership on our Foundation Board, to his work advancing the Freedom Tower Centennial, to establishing the Gilda Machado Plasencia Nursing Scholarship in honor of his mother, his impact is both personal and lasting. Because of leaders like Jorge, more students have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and build meaningful futures. Proud to celebrate you, Jorge and grateful for all you continue to do for our students and our community

This week, we celebrated the newest recipients of the Frances Wolfson Art Scholarship: Diana Guzman, Krystal Herrera, Scarlet LoCascio, Ondina Pereira, and Marina Poppa. Named for Frances Wolfson, the scholarship supports students by covering tuition, books, fees, and supplies. Frances embraced art later in life, becoming an artist in her 80s! And through the proceeds of her work, her creativity continues to open doors for aspiring artists at MDC. In a full‑circle moment, former scholarship recipients Mary Malm and Alena Fresquet, now MDC professors, saw their students receive the same scholarship that once supported Mary and Alena as emerging artists. We’re deeply grateful to the Wolfson family for their continued generosity. Frances Wolfson’s great‑grandchildren—Luke, Randi, and Lindsey—were on campus this week to personally present the awards, representing four generations of impact to MDC. 💙

Back at the historic Olympia Theater to open the 43rd @MiamiFilmFest with Tuner, the narrative debut from Academy Award–winning director Daniel Roher. Grateful for the proclamation from @MiamiDadeCounty @MayorDaniella and for @ralphrosado305, Chairman of the DDA, joining us to celebrate film and community.🎬 🔗 miamifilmfestival.com/browse/?mode=c…

Proudly celebrating #FloridaCollegeSystemMonth as part of the #Great28. From in leading workforce apprenticeships and industry certifications to creating strong 2+2 pathways into our @SUS_Florida, MDC is building opportunity for thousands of students statewide. 💙

We’re proud to be selected for @LuminaFound’s Great Admissions Redesign initiative, working to simplify college admissions and create more seamless, student-centered pathways. Learn more: lumfound.org/4rTly1e

This summer, @MDCollege will welcome @MDCPS students through the Summer Youth Internship Program—connecting education with real-world experience. Students will gain paid, hands-on work experience, earn dual enrollment credits, and begin their college journey early. Together, we are building clear pathways from high school to college to career. Grateful to @MayorDaniella and @SuptDotres, and to our partners—@Childrens_Trust, @CareerSourceFL, @EdFedCU, @NAFMiami, Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, and Griffin Catalyst—for making this work possible. Talent is universal. Opportunity is not. Together, we are changing that. 🦈

Today, we celebrated the Class of 2026 veteran and military scholars who have chosen to continue their mission at Miami Dade College. 🇺🇸   During the event, our student veterans received the stole they’ll proudly wear at Commencement on April 25 at loanDepot park, a visible symbol of their service, resilience, and accomplishment as MDC graduates.   We are especially grateful to MDC alum Commander Rick Rodriguez, for delivering the keynote speech. A retired U.S. Coast Guard commissioned officer and national security leader, his career reflects the very best of our alumni and the values we honor today.   As a designated Purple Heart College in Florida, the nation’s #1 military‑friendly state, MDC remains committed to supporting those who have served.   Because those who served our country deserve every opportunity to build what comes next. 🎓

Artemis II is pushing human spaceflight farther than ever before, and MDC alumna @FromCaliToMars is helping make it happen. As a @NASA flight director, one of the agency’s most demanding roles, Diana oversees system coordination, evaluates mission risk in real time, and supervises procedures where there is zero margin for error. Today, the Artemis II crew reached the farthest point from Earth ever achieved by humans, marking a historic milestone as NASA advances long‑term exploration of the Moon and beyond. This was made possible, in part, by one of our own MDC Sharks. We’re proud of you, Diana. And, we're committed to continuing to inspire the next generation of students pursuing aviation and aerospace through the Florida Center for Aviation and Aerospace at MDC.

Thank you for convening higher education and industry leaders to discuss the future of our region. Miami Dade College is proud to contribute to conversations that strengthen education, workforce, and innovation.

Proud to support this vibrant learning space with new tech—and even more excited for what young minds will create here. Proud to support learning, creativity, and innovation at @zoomiami.

Happy Easter!
  This is a season of renewal, an opportunity to pause, reset, and embrace new beginnings.   May this time bring our students, faculty, staff, and alumni fresh perspective, hope for the future, and inspiration to move forward with purpose.

Tonight, Miami makes history. As Jorge Mas and José Mas, alongside David Beckham inaugurate the first Inter Miami match at the new Stadium in Miami Freedom Park, they are not just opening a venue they are creating a space where community, culture, and global connection come alive. From all of us at Miami Dade College, congratulations on this extraordinary milestone for our city. Just miles away, the Freedom Tower stands as a powerful symbol of hope, resilience, and new beginnings where generations arrived in search of freedom and opportunity. Today, that same spirit carries forward as fans from across Miami and around the world come together through the beautiful game. Soccer unites. It transcends language, culture, and borders much like the mission of Miami Dade College, where we open doors to opportunity and bring people together through the power of education and opportunity. From the Freedom Tower to Freedom Park, Miami continues to tell its story to the world, one rooted in freedom, fueled by community, and inspired by possibility.

Today’s School of Education Pinning Ceremony recognized over 100 teacher candidates who enter the teaching profession with purpose, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference for their students.
 We extend a special thank you to State Representative and fellow educator @TeamAlexRizo for delivering today’s inspiring keynote. 
Through hands-on learning and real-world experience, our graduates leave MDC ready to lead, support, and inspire the next generation. 
Your impact will extend far beyond the classroom through the thousands of lives you will touch as educators. We’re proud of you. 🌟