MIAMI DADE TWO NEW SCHOLARSHIPS NURTURE SUCCESSFUL LEADERS OF THE FUTURE Rising Black Scholars Shamori Fancher very rarely turns down the chance to go to a networking event, volunteer activity or conference. She doesn’t want to squander an opportuni-ty to learn – even if it means driving from her Florida City home across town with no air condi-tioning in her car. “I know there is someone else who wants to be in my spot,” she said. “I just feel blessed that I can do it.” Through the Rising Black Scholars program, Fancher has experienced many “firsts,” including a trip to Washington, D.C. Continued on page 12 COLLEGE f orum December 2022 • Volume 26 • Number 4 Seizing Opportunities, Growing in Every Way Some of the Miami Dade College stu-dents profiled here have traveled outside of state for the first time. Others have earned professional certificates or are graduat-ing early. And many of them have gotten involved in student government and other extracurricular activities. These are only a few of the ways that two MDC scholarship programs are chang-ing hundreds of lives in meaningful ways. Now in their second year, the Rising Black Scholars and Presidential Scholars pro-grams are developing the next genera-tion of leaders, thanks to the College’s investment in mentorship, academics, changemaking opportunities, financial aid and more. Gaining knowledge. Building confidence. Creating invaluable networks. Here and on Pages 8 and 12, meet five of the grateful scholars, whose futures are undoubtedly brighter. Presidential Scholars Program When John Ocampo didn’t get accepted to his dream school – Florida State University (FSU) – he knew he had work to do. Then he heard about the Presidential Scholars Program and saw it as the pathway to his future. “As soon as I got to MDC, a switch flipped,” he said, explaining that he realized it was on him to accomplish his goal. “Being a part of this pro-gram sets you up for success.” Now, not even two years later, Ocampo is set to graduate in December with an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree and start FSU in the spring. Continued on page 12 John Ocampo Shamori Fancher and Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem ‘New Era of Tech’ at Miami Dade College As the birthplace of Miami Dade College, the North Campus has long been known as a cen-ter for innovative higher education. So it comes as no surprise that now, over 60 years later, the campus is once again at the forefront of a brave new frontier – an immersive world of holo-graphic concierges, virtual reality robotics and the mind-blowing metaverse. It sounds like science fiction, but these are just some of the many possibilities of artificial intel-ligence (AI) technology made reality with the opening of MDC’s new AI Center. Antonio Delgado, MDC’s vice president of Innovation and Technology Partnerships, said the center represents the College’s forward-thinking determination to prepare students for the State-of-the-Art AI Center Opens at North Campus rapidly evolving tech workforce. Industry de-mands for skilled AI professionals, in particular, are expected to translate to 513,000 new jobs by 2029. “We’re building AI curriculum, we have the strongest advisory committee ever giving us feedback, and we’re establishing multidisci-plinary collaborations,” Delgado said. “This is just the beginning of a new era of tech at Miami Dade College.” After being greeted by the holographic con-cierge – powered by IBM’s Watson AI Software – visitors to the new AI Center are welcomed to a space where ideas come to life. There are dedicated rooms for courses like “AI Thinking” and for hearing AI experts talk about the endless North Campus President Fermin Vazquez, center, guides President Madeline Pumariega and V.P. Antonio Delgado, left, and guests through the AI Center. possibilities on the fore. There are quantum computing labs and multi-use spaces like the Design Thinking Room with a built-in Idea Center and Makers Lab, where entrepreneurial students can take an AI project from concept to prototype with robotics equipment. One room, the AI Command Center, is de-signed primarily to foster collaboration among students of all majors. “This center not only creates opportunities within the technology sector as a whole, but also in cybersecurity,” said student Rushawn Johnson, who is completing a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. “With AI tech, past in-formation can help identify risks in record time.” Continued on page 13
College Forum Volume 26 • Number 4: Page 1
