ICYMI: Miami Dade College President Featured in Forbes’ 50 Over 50

Miami, August 7, 2024 – Miami Dade College (MDC) President Madeline Pumariega has been featured in Forbes’ Fourth Annual 50 Over 50, a special issue recognizing the nation’s leading women across various industries. President Pumariega was lauded in the Innovation category for embracing innovation in education, including launching Florida’s first bachelor’s degree in applied artificial intelligence.

A proud MDC alumna, President Pumariega has been a champion for improving access to education and making sure students are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the workplace of tomorrow, as well as growing talent pipelines in in-demand fields, such as education, technology and nursing.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Forbes and included in such a prestigious list alongside so many icons and trailblazers who inspire me and countless others,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. “This recognition reflects the collective impact of our work, and the transformative power vision has in making a meaningful difference in our world.”

President Pumariega is the first woman to lead MDC, one of the largest and most diverse institutions in the country. Her passion for innovation in higher education was born out of her own experiences, first as a student athlete and then as a longtime administrator at MDC. Prior to her appointment as president, she was executive vice president and provost at Tallahassee Community College. She also served as the first female and Hispanic Chancellor of the Florida College System, and was president of Take Stock in Children, a statewide nonprofit focused on breaking the poverty cycle through education.

Among her many appointments, accomplishments and accolades, President Pumariega sits on the board of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the American Council on Education (ACE) and Association of Florida Colleges. She is also on the Florida Cybersecurity Advisory Council, is First Vice Chair of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and serves as Vice Chair of the Florida Prepaid Foundation. She was inducted into the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Hall of Fame and received City of Miami’s Julia Tuttle Award, among other awards. View President Pumariega’s complete bio here.