MDC Annual Report - A Year of Momentum: MDC President Madeline Pumariega / 2022 Annual Report
A YEAR OF MOMENTUM FOR PARTNERSHIPS
2023-02-17 07:13:48
Miami: Tech’s Talent Magnet
As the local technology ecosystem expands across South Florida, MDC is dedicated to offering educational opportunities that meet the growing demands for a skilled technology workforce.
With Miami’s tech movement gaining steam, the College launched the MDC Tech platform to prepare Miami’s talent for the jobs of the future. The initiative is a major expansion of courses, degree programs and all things tech. Through MDC Tech, the College offers students of any age, interest or level of education technology training and professional development opportunities that can lead to employment. The program offerings are already making an impact in our community.
“During the pandemic, I experienced a layoff, so I found myself wanting to improve my tech skills. Through MDC Tech’s expansive offerings, I was able to switch careers and land a job as a technology consultant.”
HARRY ROCHA Cloud Computing Graduate
Thanks to a generous combined investment from the John S. and James L Knight Foundation, Miami-Dade County, City of Miami and Miami Downtown Development Authority, MDC Tech provides employers seeking top talent a verified pipeline to the College’s most-qualified students. “Every aspect of our program has been designed to make sure Miamians are always the first choice for any company looking to hire,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. Antonio Delgado, MDC’s vice president of Innovation and Technology Partnerships, said, “The idea is to not only have students see the College as South Florida’s premier institution to learn tech, but to also have employers invest in MDC students through apprenticeships and partnerships that lead to employment.”
Training an AI Workforce
As the development of artificial intelligence (AI) transforms businesses and the economic growth of our community, MDC is partnering with Intel, an industry leader in creating world-changing technology, to implement the Intel® AI for Workforce Program. The initiative aims to educate the next generation of technologists, engineers and inventors in artificial intelligence and help them launch successful careers in their chosen fields. With technology support from Dell Technologies, the program is helping students gain critical job skills in the field of artificial intelligence.
MDC has also joined forces with Microsoft to launch a new Cloud Skills Challenge, a 30-day accelerated learning environment where participants acquire and expand skills in cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data analytics through Microsoft Learn modules, online workshops, and in-person courses, all while competing with others.“This collaboration with Microsoft builds on our mission to make education accessible to all and equip students and the community with the necessary skills to obtain high-paying jobs, especially in emerging technology fields,” said President Madeline Pumariega.
Tech Equity Miami
In an effort to not leave underserved communities behind in the midst of the growing tech movement, a collective of community leaders launched Tech Equity Miami. Together, JPMorgan Chase, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Miami Foundation and Aire Ventues, with support from Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami, gathered at MDC’s Padrón Campus to announce $100 million in philanthropic funding to be deployed over five years with the goal of advancing equity in Miami through tech.
$2M Grant funds to develop artificial intelligence courses and curricula
A Leader in Cybersecurity Training
MDC is the top-of-class South Florida institution for training in the growing field of Cybersecurity. The College’s remarkable trajectory has been recognized by the federal government, which recently designated MDC as a prestigious National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. The coveted designation, awarded by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, reflects MDC’s robust curriculum and degree programs, and its invaluable hands-on instruction at the College’s state-of-the-art Cybersecurity Center of the Americas.
MDC is the first two-year college in South Florida to receive the honor. “Saying that I’ve graduated from a school that has been recognized by the NSA – if that’s not the coolest thing I’ve ever done, then I don’t know what is,” said Alberto Niebla, the first student to complete MDC’s Associate in Science in Cybersecurity.
Transfer Agreements Open New Pathways for Grads
Already partnering with more than 60 colleges and universities throughout the United States and abroad, MDC is opening more opportunities for its graduates to pursue their bachelor’s and master’s degrees through seamless transfers to other top schools. The newest agreements include:
American Public University
University of West Florida
Western Governors University
Students Earn While They Learn
MDC’s apprenticeship programs give individuals in the community an opportunity to be employed while they attend school. With the automotive industry still experiencing a technician shortage, MDC is partnering with Generation USA, a nonprofit organization that transforms education into employment. The intense online program allows students to acquire skills while placing them in paid, part-time jobs. “This program really puts you on the right path,” said student Ralph Bonnet. “The staff supports you and keeps you motivated.”
“We remain committed to growing the local workforce and helping individuals achieve economic mobility through this and many short-term training programs offered at the College.”
DR. MALOU C. HARRISON Executive Vice President and Provost
MDC and Bean Automotive Group also joined forces to launch the dealership’s inaugural Automotive Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program. Last summer, the first cohort of students took part in the one-year, 220-hour paid opportunity which offered free tuition, health insurance, books and tools. The program combines classroom instruction and on-the-job training to prepare participants to become automotive technician specialists.
The Warren Henry Auto Group also has partnered with MDC on an auto tech apprenticeship, addressing the pressing industry need for technicians and providing participants with a well-paying career path.
Fueling the Talent Pipeline of Nurses
Miami Dade College’s School of Nursing is at the forefront of taking proactive approaches to attract and educate the talent that the health care industry critically needs. The College graduated 300 student nurses last December and has committed to expanding its programs by 40%. “Our goal is to grow our programs as fast as we can,” with a special emphasis on the entry-level Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, said Medical Campus President Dr. Bryan Stewart.
The Lennar Foundation recently partnered with MDC to bolster the ranks of CNAs, who care for patients under the supervision of an RN or LPN. Through the partnership, students who enroll in the CNA program will receive free tuition, books/supplies, uniform, CPR certification, state testing fee, student stipends and more. A new Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program is also slated to begin in Fall 2022. It will provide a seamless path for CNA graduates to move forward in the profession, and also create a pipeline to the College’s RN and BSN programs.
Addressing the shortage, MDC leadership and representatives from health and educational institutions met with Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. at MDC’s Medical Campus. During the meeting, a six-point plan was laid out that includes targeted growth goals and expanding partnerships to speed up the talent pipeline.
MDC has forged strategic partnerships with a number of area hospitals including Jackson Health Systems, Baptist Health, Leon Medical Centers, Vitas Healthcare, Mount Sinai Medical Center and University of Miami Health System.
MDC 6-Point Plan for Nursing Shortage
Strengthen High School Pipeline
Accelerate Pathways to Degrees
Increase Scholarships
Credential RNs as Clinical Educators
Expand Health Care Partnerships
Create Targeted Growth Goals
Connecting Talent to Industry
Through our partnership with Amazon Web Services, MDC has developed an innovative cloud curriculum to train faculty, educate and certify students, and secure student employment. MDC cloud programs now serve as a primary pipeline for AWS recruitment. MDC student Elias Marcel, for example, received a variety of certificates including the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, and CompTIA Cloud Essentials certificate. This directly helped him land a career opportunity working in IT Support at Amazon. Marcel is one of the many success stories we have at MDC.
“There’s only one thing that could stop the flywheel and that’s talent. Nothing else can slow us down. We always say, ‘talent is universal, opportunity is not,’ and the way you bridge talent and opportunities is with skills.”
PRESIDENT PUMARIEGA
Working Together to Upskill Our Community
Miami Dade College has joined Microsoft and other community partners to launch Accelerate: Miami, the latest implementation of Microsoft’s global skills initiative to help people worldwide acquire new digital skills.
“This aligns perfectly with one of our main goals: to prepare a talented workforce equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the current job market while fueling the global economy,” said President Pumariega during a ceremony at MDC’s Wolfson Campus. Joined by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, she explained that the partnership will create technical training programs to bring digital abilities to underserved populations.
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