A $2.5 million appropriation from the Florida Legislature will expand Miami Dade College’s Institute for Freedom in the Americas, supporting its work to prepare leaders, strengthen civic engagement and advance democratic and economic freedoms across the Western Hemisphere. Sen. Ileana Garcia, Rep. David Borrero and the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation were instrumental in securing the funds for the College.
Established in 2024 and housed at MDC’s historic Freedom Tower, the Institute serves as a hub for scholars, policymakers and practitioners addressing democratic resilience, global governance and the conditions that allow communities to thrive.
Its centerpiece is a yearlong fellowship for rising public-sector leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean. The program begins with an intensive residency in Miami, followed by 12 months of virtual classes and discussions. Fellows participate in academic modules, workshops, case studies, peer learning and one-on-one mentorship with senior leaders.
More than 20 fellows have explored issues including transparency, ethical leadership, civil liberties, entrepreneurship, misinformation, polarization and artificial intelligence’s impact on society and governance. The Institute also has brought hundreds of high school students together for Victims of Communism Day programming focused on the history and harms of communism.
The annual Presidential Dialogue, hosted by the College for more than a decade, convenes former heads of state and regional leaders to examine geopolitical, economic and social challenges facing the Americas. Together, the fellowship and public programs connect leadership development, policy research and civic education.
The new appropriation will help sustain those efforts and broaden the Institute’s reach among students, scholars, civic leaders and policymakers. It also gives MDC additional capacity to develop leaders equipped to translate democratic principles into practical solutions in their communities.