Miami, March 22, 2024 – Miami Dade College (MDC) will honor a new class of outstanding community leaders at its 22nd MDC Alumni Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17, at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel. Working media is welcome.
MDC’s annual Hall of Fame ceremony recognizes alumni who are civic and business leaders in the community and across the nation, while raising vital funds to support student scholarships. Since 2003, more than 410 alumni have been inducted, representing various industries from banking and architecture to journalism, philanthropy and entertainment, to name a few. MDC’s Hall of Fame is the signature fundraising event of the Miami Dade College Foundation.
The 2024 MDC Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are:
Banking
Vania Laguerre
Sr. Vice President, Local Market Executive
Bank of America
Business
Jesus Lebeña
Sr. Vice President, Corporate Operations
MasTec Communications Group
Education
Mari Tere Rojas
School Board Chair, District 6
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Journalism – Print
Alex Mena
Executive Editor
Miami Herald
Marketing
Jose “Pepe” Dans
President
WOW MARKETING
Marketing
Heide Dans
Vice President
WOW MARKETING
Non-Profit
James R. Haj
President & CEO
The Children’s Trust
Pharmacy
Stephanie Ann Perez
Central Pharmacy Pharmacist
Publix Supermarkets, Inc.
Public Safety – Fire
Raied S. Jadallah
Fire Chief
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
Public Service
Ashley V. Gantt
State Representative, District 109
Florida House of Representatives
WHAT: 22nd MDC Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Loews Coral Gables Hotel
2950 Coconut Grove Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33134
About the Miami Dade College Foundation
Founded in 1965, Miami Dade College Foundation raises essential private funds to support scholarships, academic programs, and support services so MDC students have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. MDC Foundation also supports world-class arts and cultural programming at MDC that enriches the community. In 2022-2023, MDC Foundation distributed $26.8 million to benefit the students and programs of MDC. Known as Democracy’s College, MDC changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences that prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Miami Dade College is the largest degree-granting institution in the nation. The college’s eight campuses offer more than 300 distinct degree pathways, including several baccalaureate degrees in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biological sciences, engineering, data analytics, information systems technology, education, public safety, supervision and management, nursing, physician assistant studies, film, and others. For more information about the MDC Alumni Hall of Fame, please visit www.mdc.edu/halloffame.
MDC Foundation Contact: Dr. Stephanie Zapata, Director of Communication and Digital Engagement, 305-237-3240, szapata1@mdc.edu.