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Former names | Dade County Junior College (1960–1973)[1] Miami-Dade Community College (1973–2003)[1] |
|---|---|
| Motto | Scientia est potentia (Latin) |
Motto in English | "Knowledge is power" |
| Type | Public college |
| Established | 1960; 65 years ago (1960) |
Parent institution | Florida College System |
| Accreditation | SACS |
| Endowment | $272.8 million (2024)[2] |
| Budget | $376.5 million (2024)[3] |
| President | Madeline Pumariega[4][5] |
Academic staff | 703 (full-time)[6] 1814 (part-time)[6] |
| Undergraduates | 47,245 (fall 2022)[6] |
| Location | , Florida ,United States 25°46′40″N80°11′26″W / 25.77778°N 80.19056°W /25.77778; -80.19056 |
| Campus | Large city[6] |
| Colors | Blue and gray |
| Nickname | Sharks |
Sporting affiliations | NJCAARegion 8 –Southern Conference |
| Mascot | Finn the Shark[7] |
| Website | www |
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Miami Dade College (MDC)[8] is apublic college located inMiami, Florida, United States. Established in 1959, MDC operates eight campuses and numerous outreach centers throughoutMiami-Dade County. It is the largest institution in theFlorida College System. MDC serves a significant number of minority students, particularlyHispanic students, enrolling more than any other institution in Florida.[9][10][11]
Founded as Dade County Junior College in 1960, MDC began on a high school farm and became desegregated in 1962, opening its doors to students of all races.[12] Over the decades, MDC expanded by launching several campuses, including Kendall, Wolfson, and Hialeah, and established a Medical Center to support students in health programs.[13]
In 1973, the college changed its name to Miami-Dade Community College.
During the 1980s, outreach programs were developed to assist the increasing number ofCuban exiles and other immigrants. As state education budgets declined, MDC continued to grow and relied on its foundation to support operations.
In the 1990s and 2000s, the college established its Honors College, offering rigorous academic programs across its largest campuses.[14] In 2000, the college wassanctioned by theAmerican Association of University Professors "for infringement of governance standards".[15]
In 2003, the college changed its name to "Miami Dade College" and began offering four-year degree programs.
Miami Dade College operates eight campuses and two outreach centers throughout Miami-Dade County.[16] The North Campus, established in 1960, focuses on emergency services and entertainment technology programs. Kendall Campus, opened in 1967, is home to MDC's athletic teams and offers community service programs.[17][18][19] Wolfson Campus, indowntown Miami, hosts theMiami Book Fair and houses the Culinary Institute.[20][21] The Medical Campus, opened in 1977, offers nursing and health programs with a simulation hospital.[22][23][24]Homestead Campus, built in 1990, features anFAA-approved aviation program. Eduardo J. Padrón Campus specializes in bilingual education and community-focused programs. Hialeah Campus offers English programs and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management. West Campus inDoral provides innovative programs like theTesla START program.
MDC offers a wide variety of associate and baccalaureate degrees, as well as vocational and technical certificates. The college is known for its strong programs inliberal arts,nursing,business,allied health professions, andcomputer information systems. Students can also pursue degrees in newer fields likecybersecurity.[25]
The Honors College provides scholarships and specialized curricula for high-achieving students, with opportunities for transfer to prestigious universities, including a partnership with theUniversity of Miami. Dual-enrollment and virtual learning options are available for high school and home-educated students.
MDC participates in theSouthern Conference of theNational Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and competes in five sports: men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball, with soccer teams being added in 2024. MDC teams have won 35 NJCAA national titles, making it a hub for talented athletes andMLB scouts. During its early history, the north campus gymnasium area also hosted theMiami Floridians (later known simply asThe Floridians)ABA franchise.[26]
MDC has an extensive art collection of over 1,600 works, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. The Wolfson Campus hosts theMiami Book Fair International, the largest literary festival in the U.S.
In 2019, MDC was recognized by theAspen Institute for its focus on economic and social mobility, winning the Aspen Prize.[27] The $1 million prize, awarded every two years, noted MDC's "clear path to economic and social mobility for its students" as well as its demographic diversity.[28][29][30]
![Manuel "Manny" Alberto Diaz,[31] Mayor of Miami, 2001–2009](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fwikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3a20080507_Manny_Diaz_(1).jpg)
![Elsa Murano,[32] president of Texas A&M University](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fwikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aDr._Elsa_Murano_-_Texas_A%2526M.JPG)
![Mireya Moscoso,[33] president of Panama from 1999 to 2004](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fwikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aMireya_Moscoso_in_2012.jpg)
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