Miami Dade College Recognized as a Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S. Department of State

Miami, Nov. 4, 2024 – Miami Dade College (MDC) has been designated as a 2024 Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader, a prestigious recognition awarded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Each year since 2021, the ECA honors a select group of HSIs for their exceptional commitment to fostering international exchange and advancing academic excellence through active engagement with the Fulbright Program, the nation’s premier international academic exchange initiative.

“We are honored to be recognized once again by the U.S. Department of State for advancing the Fulbright program,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. “Our longstanding collaboration creates significant impact across our campuses and in the South Florida community. These exchanges provide our students and faculty with global perspectives that spark new ideas and solutions as Fulbright scholars return with invaluable experience, strengthening MDC’s mission.”

MDC has also been recognized by the ECA as a top producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars, including MDC West Campus President Dr. Beverly Moore-Garcia, who was awarded a prestigious Fulbright International Education Administrators Award from the U.S. Department of State earlier this year.

“MDC has a proud history of faculty participating as Fulbright U.S. Scholars, enriching our classrooms with global insights. From my own experience with Fulbright, I’ve seen how these exchanges build understanding and open doors. I hope we continue to expand collaboration, preparing students from MDC and around the world to be global citizens,” Dr. Moore-Garcia said.

Fulbright HSI Leaders demonstrate noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants and encourage administrators, faculty and students at HSIs to engage with Fulbright on campus. The Fulbright HSI Leaders Initiative also highlights the important role HSIs play as destinations for international students and scholars.

MDC was recognized among 51 colleges and universities include seven associates colleges, five baccalaureate colleges, and special focus institutions, 10 master’s colleges and universities, and 29 doctoral universities. The Fulbright HSI Leaders were announced during the International Plenary Session of the annual conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

Scott Weinhold, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, commended the 2024 Fulbright HSI Leaders for their support of the Fulbright Program.

“Fulbrighters from HSIs contribute to the Program’s goal of reflecting the full diversity, perspectives, and talents of the American people,” Weinhold said.

Since its founding in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and in all fields with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex address global challenges.  Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program.

The Fulbright Program implements a wide range of initiatives to ensure that its participants reflect all aspects of the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. In addition to HACU, the Fulbright Program also cultivates relationships with external stakeholders, including the White House Initiative on HBCUs, Diversity Abroad, UNCF, the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, the American Association of Community Colleges, and Mobility International, among many others.

Learn more about Fulbright at www.fulbrightprogram.org, including Fulbright’s commitment to DEIA within the program and about how HSIs engage with Fulbright.

Follow the Fulbright Program’s social media accounts and websites for highlights on HSIs and Fulbright:

About Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College (MDC) is the most diverse institution in the nation, with 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer over 300 distinct degree pathways, including associate and baccalaureate degrees, certifications and apprenticeships. MDC is the recipient of many top national awards, including the prestigious Aspen Prize, and has been ranked #4 among Top Public Institutions in the Southern Region by U.S. News & World Report. The College changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences. It is home to the Miami Culinary Institute, the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex, the Miami Fashion Institute, The Idea Center, the Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, two AI Centers, the Center for Learning, Innovation and Simulation at the Medical Campus, the Business Innovation & Technology Center, the School for Advanced Studies and New World School of the Arts, among others. MDC has been recognized among the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For” since the program’s inception. The College serves as an economic, cultural and civic leader for the advancement of our diverse global community. MDC alumni and employees contribute more than $3 billion annually to the local economy, and graduates occupy top leadership positions in every major industry. MDC’s renowned rich cultural programming includes the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, Koubek Center Mansion and Gardens, Live Arts Miami at MDC, the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives, and the Museum of Art and Design.  MDC has admitted more than 2.5 million students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960. Approximately 125,000 students are currently enrolled. For more information, visit www.mdc.edu.